Author: Jay Aquino

DCRC Announces a New Executive Director, Thomas ‘TJ’ Hill

LOS ANGELES, CA- The Disability Community Resource Center (formerly WCIL) is excited to announce that TJ Hill has been selected as its new Executive Director. He will join the DCRC team on October 15, 2018. This selection was made by DCRC’s Board of Directors after an extensive nation-wide search.

“The DCRC Board set out to find a leader with the vision to build upon DCRC’s achievements during the last three years, and the tools to develop DCRC into an even more influential and effective platform for the disabled community of Western Los Angeles County,” said Sally Richman, DCRC Board President. “TJ Hill is that leader. He is a change maker, with deep experience in building and leading teams, creating opportunities and delivering results, and leveraging his creativity and smarts to navigate complex issues and add value to local and national causes and discourse. We are thrilled to have Mr. Hill join and lead DCRC.”

Mr. Hill comes to DCRC from the Association of Community Human Service Agencies (ACHSA) where he served as the Mental Health Policy Director for almost 10 years representing non-profit provider agencies in the LA County mental health system. Before that, he worked at the Disability Rights Legal Center, where he served as Director of Options Counseling and Lawyer Referral Service, supervising and coordinating the agency’s legal intake process. Prior to the Disability Rights Legal Center, he was a Congressional Legal Intern for Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa in Washington, D.C. where he worked on special education policy, healthcare and labor issues.

Mr. Hill received his Juris Doctor degree from the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis and his Bachelor of Arts degree, in Psychology, from the University of Arizona. He also has worked as a rehabilitation specialist for adults with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California and as a Commissioner on the City of Santa Monica Disabilities Commission.

DCRC Board of Directors

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DCRC is a Center for Independent Living with the mission to provide people with disabilities of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds with the tools needed to overcome the barriers that interfere with their independence in the areas of housing, employment and healthcare. DCRC serves over 2,000 each year with resources, support, training and information. For more information visit: www.dcrc.co

PRESS RELEASE: DCRC’S CONDEMNDATION OF THE WHITE HOUSE FAMILY SEPARATION POLICY

June 24, 2018

LOS ANGELES, CA – In response to the actions of the Trump Administration in its policy of
separating immigrant families detained at the US/Mexico Border, the Disability Community Resource Center (DCRC) makes the following statement:

DCRC condemns the actions of the Trump Administration and compels lawmakers, acting in a bipartisan fashion with the Administration, to instruct the U.S. agencies charged with border
protection and enforcement of our immigration laws to cease and desist the practice of separating children from their parents and primary caregivers at the border, and to reunite these children and their parents or primary caregivers immediately.

“This practice violates multiple human rights laws and treaties, inflicts irreparable harm on children and their families, and is not remotely necessary for the protection of our borders,” says Anastasia Bacigalupo, CEO of DCRC. “We condemn this practice as strongly as possible. We stand in solidarity with these detainees and the communities that support them.”

As a disability rights and services organization, DCRC is deeply concerned about the lack of support and services for disabled children, young adults, individuals and older adults caught in this traumatizing situation. “Any of the detainees who did not enter this situation with Anxiety, Depression and/or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder will most certainly be leaving with these and/or any number of mental health disabilities due to the separation and reunification process,” says CEO Bacigalupo. DCRC emphatically insists that lawmakers pass resolutions to release resources to the facilities holding these detainees and make available Spanish and indigenous language-speaking therapists experienced in trauma informed care who can immediately provide support to the children, young adults, individuals and older adults in this situation. Qualified volunteers with these types of expertise should also be provided immediate access to assist the detainees.

“Regardless of their legal status, let us not forget that these detainees are human beings who have rights and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect,” says Nancy Urquilla, DCRC Independent Living Specialist.

While the President recently signed an order purporting to halt the separation, it is being reported that there is no clear procedure in place for reuniting children with their parents or primary caregivers. DCRC strongly demands that lawmakers apply political pressure to release local, state and federal funding and personnel so that the utmost urgency is placed establishing an effective reunification procedure.

DCRC and members of the disability community are available for comment and reaction. For more information, contact Anastasia Bacigalupo at (310) 390-3611 anastasia@dcrc.co

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Disability Community Resource Center is a Center for Independent Living with the mission to provide people with disabilities of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds with the tools needed to overcome the barriers that interfere with their independence in the areas of housing, employment and healthcare. DCRC serves over 2,000 each year with resources, support, training and information. For more information visit: www.dcrc.co

PRESS RELEASE: Congress Votes to Erode Rights Under the ADA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 15, 2018

CONTACT: 

Anastasia Bacigalupo

(310) 390-3611

anastasia@dcrc.co

Congress Votes to Erode Rights Under the ADA

LOS ANGELES, CA – In response to the vote to the House of Representatives passing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Education and Reform Act (HR 620), DCRC Chief Executive Officer Anastasia Bacigalupo made the following statement:

“The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a promise to all Americans, regardless if you are born with or acquire a disability, that you will all have the same opportunities to achieve your full potential in American society. You will have the same access to employment, education and commerce. And, equally important, you will have your civil rights protected and enforced.

“Today, Congress betrayed that promise to all disabled Americans. This cynical legislation disregards our nation’s history of expanding opportunity for all Americans. It rewards businesses who have broken the law and ignored the ADA for 28 years. Shockingly, it shifts the burden for enforcing the ADA onto the very people who are being discriminated against.

“As this legislation heads to the Senate, disabled Americans must educate their Senators as to how HR 620 erodes the ADA.  We will fight defend the ADA against this attack with activism, advocacy and come election time, our votes.  You will feel the power of the disability vote.”

DCRC and members of the disability community are available for comment and reaction.  For more information, contact Anastasia Bacigalupo at (310) 390-3611 anastasia@dcrc.co

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Disability Community Resource Center is a community center with the mission to provide people with disabilities of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds with the tools needed to overcome the barriers that interfere with their independence in the areas of housing, employment and healthcare. DCRC serves over 2,000 each year with resources, support, training and information. For more information visit:  www.dcrc.co

PRESS RELEASE: Passage of the AHCA in the House Jeopardizes Health Care for Millions of Disabled Americans and Older Americans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2017

CONTACT:
Anastasia Bacigalupo
(310) 390-3611
anastasia@wcil.org

Passage of the AHCA by the House Jeopardizes Health Care for Millions of Disabled Americans and Older Americans

LOS ANGELES, CA – Statement by WCIL Executive Director Anastasia Bacigalupo on the passage of the American Health Care Act (AHCA):

“Yesterday the US House of Representatives passed the AHCA jeopardizing health care coverage and independence for people with pre-existing conditions and people who receive community-based supports through Medicaid.  This legislation threatens to leave millions of disabled Americans and older Americans without health care and needed supports to live independently in their communities.

As it is currently written the legislation proposes to cut more than $830 billion from the Medicaid program, forcing states to choose between raising state taxes and cutting healthcare services for poor children, disabled Americans and older Americans. In turn, states will be forced to reduce Medicaid benefits, impose waiting lists, implement unaffordable financial obligations, or otherwise restrict access to needed assistance. Without adequate support in the community, disabled Americans and older Americans will face placement in nursing facilities and other institutions, only increasing the strain on already-limited Medicaid resources.

Regardless of this disappointing vote out of the US House of Representatives, WCIL and the disability community continues the fight against the AHCA.  WCIL calls on the US Senate to reject the legislation that threatens to jeopardize the health of millions of disabled Americans and older Americans.”

WCIL and members of the disability community are available for comment and reaction.  For more information, contact Netely Orias at (310) 390-3611 netely@wcil.org

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The Westside Center for Independent Living (WCIL) is a community center with the mission to provide people with disabilities of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds with the tools needed to overcome the barriers that interfere with their independence in the areas of housing, employment and healthcare. The WCIL serves over 2,000 each year with resources, support, training and information. For more information visit:  www.wcil.org

 

Save the ADA: Oppose H.R. 620

April 18, 2017
URGENT ACTION NEEDED!

The efforts to roll back the rights of people with disabilities through ADA Notification bills like H.R. 620 are gaining momentum in Congress. While similar bills have been unable to garner enough  support to pass into law, we do not expect that to be the case in this Congress. This bill continues to gain support from both sides of the aisle in Congress, and it’s on us to fight it!

H.R. 620 would create additional barriers to seeing our rights enforced under the Americans with Disabilities Act. In addition to requiring that businesses in violation of the ADA be provided with a very specific written notice by the person who encountered the access barrier, those businesses would then be allowed a lengthy time frame to “make substantial progress in removing the barrier.” Not only would this remove any incentive for businesses to come into compliance with the ADA before receiving a notification, but it would also shift the onus of monitoring compliance to the very people being discriminated against! Twenty-seven years after the ADA was signed into law, this is unacceptable. H.R. 620 would be a major setback for people with disabilities.

We need you to take action! We hope you have already been in touch with your Representatives about the dangers of this bill. Please keep it up!  You can get in touch with your Representatives by calling the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

Specifically we need you to reach out to Congressman Ted Lieu and Congresswoman Karen Bass because they are members of the House Judiciary Committee who will be voting on this bill soon. Please tell Congressman Lieu and Congresswoman Bass to OPPOSE H.R. 620 and any other bill that would weaken the ADA, thereby weakening the protections for people with disabilities all over the country.

Congressman Lieu’s phone number is 323-651-1040.
Congresswoman Bass’ phone number is 323-965-1422.

If you are not sure what do say, please click here for talking points to use during your phone call.

If you can also send an email to each Representative through their website:
Click here to email Congressman Lieu.
Click here to email Congresswoman Bass.

 

Press Release- DISABILITY ADVOCATES HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE TO DEMAND PRESERVATION OF COMMUNITY-BASED MEDICAID SERVICES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information:
Anastasia Bacigalupo (310) 740-8701
anastasia@wcil.org
www.wcil.org
#WCILByYourSide

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

DISABILITY ADVOCATES HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE TO DEMAND PRESERVATION OF COMMUNITY-BASED MEDICAID SERVICES

Los Angeles, CA (March 20, 2017): On the eve of the U.S. House of Representatives’ vote on the American Health Care Act (ACHA) that if passed will put thousands of Californians with disabilities at high risk to loose vital community-based services, the Westside Center for Independent Living (WCIL) will host a dynamic panel discussion featuring a broad-based coalition of disability rights advocates and attorneys emphasizing the importance of preserving access to community-based Medicaid services, a critical safety net role in financing health care services.

Panel focus is preserving Community First Choice Option (CFCO), an optional Federal funding incentive that provides additional funding for community-based services, vital medical care and other long term services and supports needed by people with disabilities. Panelists will include:

Phyllis Siegel, Disabled Advocate. Ms. Siegel will discuss how the loss of the CFCO funds will result in her In Home Support Services (IHSS) hours will be reduced or eliminated. The IHSS hours she receives allow her to live at home instead of a facility away from her community and circle of support. She is representative of 500,000 IHSS recipients in California who will lose part or all of their IHSS hours.

Arica McGary, Personal Care Attendant. Ms. McGary will explain the impact of reducing or eliminating IHSS hours for other IHSS workers like her. She will either lose hours or lose her position supporting Ms. Siegel all together. She is representative of 400,000 IHSS workers in California who will be negatively impacted by the repeal of the ACA.

Tina Segura, Staff Attorney, Disability Rights Legal Center. Ms. Segura works at the Cancer Legal Resource Center. She will share the legal ramifications of the ACHA on people affected by cancer and other disabling diseases.

The current Republican bill will eliminate CFCO by 2020 by introducing block grants and cut to Medicaid funding. The panel will evidence how this will lead to painful limits on treatment that would force states to ration or deny health care to those in nursing homes, with disabilities, and/or near the poverty line.

WHEN:

Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at 11:00 AM-12:00PM

WHERE:

Westside Center for Independent Living, 12901 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066

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The Westside Center for Independent Living (WCIL) is a disability community resource center. WCIL provides people with disabilities of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds with the tools needed to overcome the barriers that interfere with their independence in the areas of housing, employment and healthcare. WCIL serves over 2,000 people each year with resources, support, training and information. For more information, please visit: www.wcil.org

Press Release- WESTSIDE CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING RECEIVES GRANT FROM FRIARS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION FOR COMPREHENSIVE AUDIO SYSTEM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Anastasia Bacigalupo

Executive Director

(310) 390-3611 Anastasia@wcil.org

 

WESTSIDE CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING RECEIVES GRANT FROM FRIARS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION FOR COMPREHENSIVE AUDIO SYSTEM

 

Los Angeles, CA (March 15, 2017)—The Westside Center for Independent Living (WCIL) is pleased to announce it has received a grant from the Friars Charitable Foundation of Los Angeles.  The funds will be used to increase the comprehensive audio system of the WCIL’s Community Room so that WCIL can successfully host events for the community where all people with disabilities, including the hearing impaired, can fully participate.

The purchase and installation of the comprehensive audio system will ensure that all participants fully experience the acoustics in the room. The system will include a central speaker for the amplification of sound, table top microphones and speakers and an assistive listening device system. The enhanced audio system will allow the Community Room to be used for panel discussions, staff meetings, board meetings and community events.

“We currently have received complaints that the Community Room acoustics and noise compromises participants’ ability to understand and participate in events hosted in the room,” declared Anastasia Bacigalupo, the Executive Director of the WCIL. “Thanks to the continuing generosity of the Friars Charitable Foundation, the Community Room will now be able to accommodate people with hearing impairments.”

The Friars Charitable Foundation awards grants through a competitive application and review process. “We have been pleased to support the important community work of the WCIL throughout the years through funding of its computer lab and accessible workstations. Enhancing the audio quality of its Community Room continues our partnership with one of Los Angeles’ most important resources for people with disabilities,” declared Marilyn Stambler, President of the Friars Charitable Foundation.

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The Westside Center for Independent Living (WCIL) is a community center with the mission to provide people with disabilities of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds with the tools needed to overcome the barriers that interfere with their independence in the areas of housing, employment and healthcare. The WCIL serves over 2,000 each year with resources, support, training and information. For more information visit:  www.wcil.org

The Friars Charitable Foundation supports charitable efforts that are dedicated to the arts, education or human services benefitting the greater Los Angeles community, particularly where its funding can have a significant impact on programs and their participants. For more information visit:  www.friarscharitablefoundation.org

Action Alert! Join us in Opposing the American Health Care Act — Call Congress today!

The American Health Care Act (AHCA) was introduced in the House of Representatives on March 6th and will soon be introduced in the Senate. The bill will hurt moderate and low–income people with disabilities and their families on two fronts:

First, it repeals important parts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that enable families of modest means to afford the reliable comprehensive coverage that people with disabilities
need.

Second, it imposes increasingly deep cuts on federal Medicaid funding that, over time, will strip needed care and services from low-income people with disabilities and prompt states to use cost-control measures such as waiting lists. Medicaid expansion will also be revoked by 2020.

THE AHCA CHANGES THE WAY THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS FUNDED MEDICAID FOR OVER FIFTY YEARS.

Instead of paying a share of the actual healthcare provided to Medicaid–eligible people in the state, the federal government would set an absolute cap based on who received Medicaid in 2016.  Regardless of how much additional care is needed by the people in a state as they age, become disabled, or as healthcare costs rise, the cap will remain. The cap is designed to produce cost savings even as the federal government gives up other sources of revenue by providing tax cuts to wealthy Americans and corporate healthcare entities.  Millions of people with disabilities rely on Medicaid services, including long–term home–and–community based services that allow people with disabilities to live as independently as possible in their communities. Medicaid matters!

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded Medicaid in many states to adults and children living at 138% of the Federal Poverty Level. People with disabilities who were previously ineligible for Medicaid because of slightly higher income or asset levels now had access to critical health coverage such as primary and preventive care, mental health and substance use disorder services, and community–based supports and services. A reduced reliance on emergency room services has led to cost savings for states and to increased employment for people with disabilities.[1]Moreover, from 2010–2015, the number of employed working-age adults with disabilities without insurance dropped from 1 million to 600,000. These gains for people with disabilities will be lost if Medicaid Expansion is repealed.

PLEASE CALL AND TELL LAWMAKERS THAT THE AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT WILL HURT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

Call your Members of Congress: 202-224-3121
Call the House Energy & Commerce Committee: 202-225-2927
Call the Senate Finance Committee: 202-224-4515
Call House Speaker Ryan: 202-225-0600
Contact your governor: https://www.usa.gov/state-governor

 

How to Reach Your Elected Officials

Want to reach out to your elected officials? Use these links to find out who is your elected official and how to contact them. Please give us a call if you would like information and/or support regarding legislation and public policy impacting people with disabilities.

CITY OF LOS ANGELES:
Find your City of Los Angeles council member.

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES:
Find your Los Angeles County supervisor.

STATE:
Find your state senator and representative.

FEDERAL:
Find your senator.

Find your representative.

Visit ContactTheCongress.org.

Believe in our Mission, Invest in our Future

Dear Friend:

As we gather with friends and family for the holidays, all of us at the Westside Center for Independent Living (WCIL) are grateful for your enthusiastic support of our mission and your very generous donations.

This year your help and guidance made it possible for us to serve over 3,000 people.  People who accessed our programs and services gained support to:

  • Build skills and get help finding a job
  • Find affordable and accessible housing
  • Hire and manage personal care providers
  • Receive (and give) peer-to-peer support
  • Access needed income and medical benefits

In the coming year we need to bring these essential and vital services to greater numbers of people in western Los Angeles County.  To do this, we need your financial support. We urge you to click here and donate to WCIL.

The next 4 years may bring many changes for people with disabilities; changes that may affect their independence, autonomy and access to life-sustaining programs and services.  Remember that your donation will enable WCIL to be there for those in need no matter what the future holds.

We, and those we serve, deeply appreciate your support.

With gratitude,

WCIL Board of Directors and Staff