IDENTIFIED SERVICE AND TRAINING NEEDS OF CENTERS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED-STATES

Center for Independent Living (CIL) directors and support personnel fr om 24 centers in the Southeastern United States were surveyed during t he winter of 1991 regarding perceived training needs. Eighteen of 24 d irectors and 45 support personnel responded to a survey assessing serv ice and training needs related to: director training, counselor progra ms, IL service needs, organizational training, advocacy programs, and needed educational resource materials. Tabled results are presented fo r the most frequently cited service and training needs reported by res pondents. Overall findings suggest that CILs in the Southeast are conc erned about accessing different funding sources to minimize reliance o n federal dollars, effectively marketing their services to the communi ty, teaching self-advocacy skills to consumers, advocating for Center and consumer needs, and involving consumers in Center activities. Serv ice needs related to the provision of affordable and accessible housin g, transportation, and a personal assistance program. Results of the s tudy are discussed in conjunction with the author's direct experiences in providing training for CILs in the Southeastern United States.