Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Heartland Receives $250,000 Community Development Block Grant

Thanks to receiving a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in the amount of $250,000, Heartland Independent Living Center (HILC) will be able to expand its services to the community. The grant, awarded by The Missouri Department of Economic Development, is offered to small communities to improve local facilities. HILC will use the CDBG funds to renovate its main office building in Owensville which will result in a greater capacity for growth.

“As the grant sponsor for Heartland, I would like to congratulate them on a job well-done,” states Owensville City Administrator John Tracy.   “For over ten years now they have been consistent in providing services for our disabled and elderly,” continued Tracy, “and we are proud to back them in this expansion endeavor.”

The construction process, which will occur in three continual phases, is anticipated to begin in early 2014.  CDBG funding will provide approximately one third the resources required for the entire renovation.  HILC administration will be consulting lending institutions to secure financing needed complete the venture. 




During his recent Flapjack Tour,  State Senator Mike Kehoe stopped by Heartland Independent Living Center to congratulate the Center on their receipt of a 2013 Community Development Block Grant. HILC  Executive Director Pat Chambers points out proposed renovations to the unfinished portion of the HILC facility during the Senator’s  tour of the building.







The HILC facility was originally a lumber yard, adapted into office space in 2003.  The south portion of the building is predominantly unfinished.  According to Executive Director Pat Chambers, multiple problems have surfaced due to structural issues.  Chambers cites plumbing and drainage inadequacies, a poor electrical system, heating and cooling deficiencies, and roof leakages which have resulted in mold accumulation. Additionally, current finished office space is at its capacity for staff.  Renovation will allow expansion of staff and services with proper utilization of the entire building.

Chambers and his staff are excited to see the realization of this long-anticipated project.  In addition to increased office space, plans call for the addition of a display room for adaptive equipment, a low-vision center, an interactive display area for adaptive telephones and Internet software, a construction workshop, and a multi-purpose room.  The large multi-purpose room will allow HILC to provide numerous programs in partnership with community human and social services partners.  The HILC Community Resource Center is slated to provide services supporting better health and life skills, empowering area residents and enabling true independent living. 

Considered to be an extremely competitive grant, 14 applications for community facilities were received by the Missouri Department of Economic Development in 2013.  HILC is one of only five recipients.  The HILC application was compiled by Resource Development Coordinator Tiffany Reid, with collaboration from Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) Project Development Manager Kelly Sink-Blair. 

“We would like to thank Kelly Sink-Blair for her efforts,” says Chambers.  “We are fortunate to have an agency as reputable and knowledgeable as MRPC in our area.”  MRPC will also administer the grant.

“Obviously we are very pleased with the outcome of this grant application,” said Sink-Blair.  “We look forward to working with Heartland through the administration of the grant, and to seeing the benefit it will bring to their clientele and community.” 

HILC is also grateful to Senator Mike Kehoe, Representative Dave Schatz, Gasconade County Health Department Administrator Sara Michie, and Franklin County Hunger Task Force Representative Loetta Blair who provided letters of support to the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

Heartland Independent Living Center (HILC) is a nonprofit, nonresidential, community based organization serving individuals with disabilities in east central Missouri.  HILC holds the Better Business Bureau’s Charity Seal.  HILC offers free services to assist people to live independently in their own homes, including advocacy, information & referral, independent living skills training, ramps and home modifications, nursing home transition, adaptive equipment, and dental services.  For more information on available services, contact HILC toll-free at 866-322-3224. 

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Disaster Recovery Group Reviews Disability Procedures


In the case of emergency evacuation and temporary shelter, what is the most efficient and safest procedure to assist a blind individual and their service dog?  Or a paraplegic who uses a wheelchair for mobilization?  The Franklin County Emergency Management Agency (FCEMA) recently enlisted the expertise of Heartland Independent Living Center (HILC) to address these concerns. 



In a blind simulation exercise, HILC’s Executive Director 

Pat Chambers  verbally leads FCEMA’s Director Abe 
Cook 
through an obstacle course.  Looking on are 

Stephanie 
Hulsey, FCEMA Administrator (left,) and Dian 

Becker, 
Communications Supervisor for the Pacific Police 
Department.
“Rather than fumble around losing precious time and possibly making the situation worse, we want to know ahead of time the safest and quickest way to help remove a disabled individual from harm’s way in a disaster,” says FCEMA Director Abraham Cook.  “Since HILC is well-versed in services for the disabled, we asked them for a crash course.”

Two HILC representatives with disabilities demonstrated firsthand accounts of what their individual needs might be in case of evacuation or temporary shelter.  Mark Hulsey, HILC Board of Directors President, is a paraplegic.  He demonstrated how the electronic wheelchair operates, under what circumstances to use auto vs. manual controls, and how best to transfer an individual with paralysis to and from a wheelchair or a bed.  He also pointed out that body positioning is important as pressure points can cause major problems within 30 minutes.

Marcie Wallace, who works as the Braille transcriptionist for HILC, has been blind since birth.  Her service dog, Porter, is always at her side acting as her eyes.  Wallace’s first concern was for her loyal companion, Porter.  She explained that although in an emergency things might tend to get hectic, addressing her and Porter in a calm, clear and concise manner would keep them both focused.  She also explained that when a service dog is in harness, he is the leader.  When evacuating, address the dog by his name followed by “heel” and lead him by the leash so he will follow, but make sure to retrieve the harness as well.

HILC’s Disability Awareness Education program was developed to help children understand and respect individuals with disabilities.  Studies have shown that the more children know about disabilities, the more likely they are to accept the individual, and the less likely they are to bully them. The program is presented to elementary school students throughout HILC’s east central Missouri service area.  HILC has recently expanded the program for adult consumers as well such as emergency or first responders. 

From left: Stephanie Hulsey, FCEMA Administrator;  Laura Willhite, HILC Administrative Assistant;  Dian Becker, Pacific Police Department Communications Supervisor;  Pat Chambers, HILC Executive Director; Mark Hulsey, HILC Board of Director’s President;  Maggie Brooks, HILC CDS Specialist;  Abraham Cook, FCEMA Director;  and Marcie Wallace, HILC Braille Transcriptionist with service dog Porter.




Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Belle Elementary Students Experience Disabilities



Have you ever tried to open a piece of candy while wearing oven mitts?  Or navigate from one place to another with your eyes closed?  Belle Elementary School students discovered that for an individual with some type of disability, seemingly simple tasks may not be so easy when students experienced “walking in someone else’s shoes” for a short while.

Belle 4th grade students experience the sensation of blindness 
at a Disability Awareness Education program presented by Heartland 
Independent Living Center.  Isaac Wells acts as Cassielyn 
Freeman’s eyes as he leads her through the school gym. 
Through their Disability Awareness Education program, Heartland Independent Living Center (HILC) is promoting an important message to children.  Individuals with disabilities are not to be scorned or bullied, but instead respected for their ability to overcome whatever barriers they may have.

HILC representatives demonstrated what disabilities are and how individuals might overcome them to remain independent.  Marcie Wallace, who works for HILC, has been blind since birth.  Her guide dog, Porter, serves as her eyes when walking.  Students had the opportunity to question Marcie first-hand to see how she adapts to perform the daily living tasks most of us take for granted. 

HILC also used disability dolls designed to demonstrate various types of physical disabilities and therapy options available to reinforce the concept that all children are special and unique.  The disability dolls were purchased through a grant from The Clorox Company Foundation via Kingsford Manufacturing Company earlier this year to support HILC’s Disability Awareness Education program.
Belle 3rd and 4th grade students examine dolls designed
to demonstrate various types of physical disabilities 
and therapy options available.  The dolls were purchased 
through a grant from Kingsford Manufacturing Company 
earlier this year to support HILC’s Disability Awareness 
Education program. 

To schedule a Disability Awareness Education program, contact Laura Willhite at 877-553-5215.  For additional information on Heartland Independent Living Center, please check the website at www.heartlandilc.org.

Heartland Independent Living Center is a nonprofit, non-residential, community based organization that serves individuals with disabilities in east central Missouri.  HILC holds the Better Business Bureau’s Charity Seal.  HILC offers a number of free programs and services to assist people to live independently in their own homes.  Programs include, but are not limited to, advocacy, information & referral, independent living skills training, ramps and home modifications, nursing home transition, adaptive equipment, and dental services.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Win a Wishing Well



Pay it forward this holiday season.  The generosity of one Heartland Independent Living Center (HILC) staff member will be passed on to help others in need of emergency assistance.  Dean Todaro, HILC’s Ramp and Home Modifications Specialist, donated his expertise in designing and building a wooden wishing well for a fundraising project.


The wishing well stands 6 feet tall and is made from 100% treated lumber to withstand the weather.  In the center is a planter box, along with a wooden dowel at the top for hanging plants. 

 You too can pay it forward by purchasing a raffle ticket to win the wishing well.  Funds will be used for HILC’s Consumer Emergency Assistance program.  Tickets are $5 each or six for $25 and may be purchased at HILC’s main office in Owensville or at the Christopher Manhart office in Union.

Dean Todaro donated his time and expertise to build this 6-foot 
wishing well to raise funds for consumer emergency assistance.  
Also pictured are Goldie Parrett, HILC’s Service Manager (left), 
and Ann Cassidy, CDS Specialist in the HILC’s Christopher 
Manhart office in Union.  Raffle tickets are $5 each or 6 tickets 
for $25. They are available until the drawing on December 13th
Todaro built the wishing well in one weekend using leftover lumber from previously constructed ramps.  In the construction business for over 30 years, Todaro’s work ethics are to not waste costly building materials.  “Once we accumulated enough leftovers, I spent a weekend building the wishing well,” says Todaro.  “I designed it myself. I have built several others for area benefits.”  During this past year with HILC, Todaro counts approximately 35 ramp projects HILC has provided for consumers.  All the ramps are custom designed to fit the individual’s needs and built to ADA specs.   

HILC’s emergency assistance program helps consumers who face an unexpected crisis, such as medical prescriptions and utility bills.  Funds are limited and reserved for qualifying individuals with disabilities to help them maintain their independence.  Funds raised at HILC’s recent Autumn Fest were contributed to the emergency assistance fund.

Raffle tickets may be purchased at HILC’s Owensville office at 1010 Hwy 28 West, or it’s Union office at 104 South McKinley, Suite A.  The raffle drawing is December 13th, just in time to make a great Christmas gift.