by Gabe Taylor
If you aren’t familiar with The Independence Center (The IC), you may have seen our billboard or bus ads around town and wondered what exactly it is that we do. The Independence Center is a local nonprofit organization that provides traditional and self-directed home health care, independent living, and advocacy services for people with disabilities. Put simply, we help people with disabilities remain independent within their home and community through our various programs.
The IC’s home health department provides a range of services to consumers including skilled nursing, in-home support services, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. With over two hundred employees in The IC’s home health department, this is by far the largest department. People are often surprised to hear that most of The IC’s paid caregivers are actually the loved-ones and caregivers for family members with a disability. This is possible because of a change to Colorado law in 2016
affecting In Home Support Services (IHSS). The program has proven life-changing for the individuals that take advantage of the benefit. Since the law began, The IC has hired qualifying individuals through the Home Health department and trained and certified many individuals through The Independence Center CNA Training Program.
Another department at The IC is our Center for Independent Living (CIL). The CIL provides a host of services that enable people with disabilities to remain independently in their home if that’s what they desire. Services are provided in the form of peer support, skills classes, transition services, employment, home modifications, assistive technologies, and benefits. Many Home Health consumers rely on services provided by the CIL.
If you, or a loved one, could use any of these services, reach out to us at http://bit.ly/TheIndependenceCenter.