Programs

NILP provides advocacy and services to all people with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities that do not fit within the parameters of the broad program descriptions below are encouraged to ask for general information and referral which will then direct them to the program that is best suited to meet their disability specific needs.

~ Adults with Physical Disabilities Program

Program works with adults who have physical disabilities such as spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy. Independent Living services include Personal Care Assistance, peer counseling, accessibility advocacy, and referral for durable medical equipment.

~ A Smoother Transition

Works with adolescents with disabilities and their families to facilitate the transition from both institutional and public schools into the adult human services system. Specialized services include advocacy and information during the development of Individualized Education Plans and social/recreational activities.

~ Deaf and Hard of Hearing IL Services

The DHHILS program works with people who are culturally Deaf, late deafened, and hard of hearing in order to provide an environment that is communication accessible where a comprehensive array of IL services are available to assist in living independently. Unique services include ASL classes and peer mentoring.

~ The North East Recovery Learning Community (NERLC)

Works with people with psychiatric disabilities through individual and group empowerment, peer counseling and community organizing to promote a message of hope and recovery and to fight against stigma and human rights violations. Unique services include coordinating Lawrence Organizing Voices of Empowerment (the LOVE Group), the Peer Counseling Project, and providing peer advocacy and technical assistance at Tewksbury State Hospital.

Upcoming workshop opportunity!
Voice and Dialogue Training – Individual and Systems Advocacy!
Do you want to create the environments, relationships and opportunities for peers to develop the lives we want in Massachusetts?

We Need YOU!

Voice and Dialogue Training Announcement
Voice and Dialogue Training Announcement and Application

Please click on the links above to learn about this rare opportunity to train and awaken your voice, and, at the same time, promote dialogue that will empower you to create the life of your choosing and be able to help your peers to do the same!

~ IL-VR

The Independent Living/Vocational Rehabilitation Program provides pre-vocational IL assessment, Peer Counseling, Information and Referral, Advocacy and Skills Training to eligible MRC consumers. Additional services, such as Money Management, Transportation, Benefits Counseling and Housing services all optimize a person's readiness for vocational choices, planning, and implementation. Maureen McGaw & William Briere , IL / VR Coordinators

1. Q. What is necessary for a consumer to be eligible for IL/VR services?
   A. MRC referral form, filled out by a MRC counselor
2. Q. How many reports are done within the VR Program per FY? & what are they?
   A. 16 Reports 12 Monthly Progress Reports & 4 Quarterly Review Reports
3. Q. Name at least 6 services that the VR Program provides?
   a. Budgeting / money management,
   b. Assist with applying for Mass Health Ins.,
   c. Assisting with applying for SSI & SSDI,
   d. Applying for Public Hg.
   e Show consumer how to use the public bus system (self help),
   f. Mobility issues,
   g. Daily living skills,
   h. DTA = food stamps, welfare income.
4. Q. How long is the MRC waiting list?
   A. 3 months
5. Q. How long has the IL/VR Program been in existence?
   A. 1997 – 1998, 13 to 14 Yrs.
6. Q. Who is the IL/VR contract manager?
   A. Kathy Allen
7. Q. Can the IL/VR Program work with consumers who simply call into NILP?
   A. NO – MUST speak to Janet Kowalchuk (I&R) OR be a consumer of MRC & have a MRC referral form given to Will or Maureen.
8. Q. If the IL/VR Program receives a referral for Public HG & during the intake, we realize the consumer has no medical Ins. & has a low enough income to qualify for food stamps, what is it that Will & Maureen MUST do?
   A. We MUST go to the consumer’s MRC counselor & they need to check off health care & benefit boxes on the referral form & fax a copy to Kathy Allen.
9. Q. What is the difference between SSI & SSDI? & what do the letters mean? SSI
   a) Supplemental Security Income b) The person can NOT have more than $2,000 in savings or retirement money. c) They keep the 1st $85 of their earnings & then it is a 2 for 1= for every $2 earned. Social Security Administration (SS) takes away $1. d) If the person receives BOTH SSI & SSDI, SS will take away the 1st $65 of their earnings & then it is a $2 for $1. / SSDI = They get their 9 months of work trial period. Then they follow the rules of SSDI work incentives. This person has BOTH a long work/job history PLUS LESS than $2,000 in savings/retirement money. e) The person on SSI only usually does NOT have a long working/job history. f) SSI receivers automatically get Mass Health Ins.
   SSDI
   a) Social Security Disability Income b) Unlimited amount of money in the bank. c) The 1st 9 months of work is considered a Work Trail Period & they can earn as much as possible, and then it goes into a period of limited income IF the person continues to receive SSDI checks. They can work part time, but can NOT earn over a certain amount each month, which is set by SS at the beginning of every year. d) This person can NOT receive SSI, along with SSDI income, if they have MORE than $2,000 in savings/or retirement money. e) These people do have a long work/job history. f) SSDI receivers can buy Medicare Ins. for a price that will be taken out of their SSDI check.
10. Q. When does the Fiscal Year (FY) end? What is needed to continue services for a consumer at this time? What happens IF NO Rollover is given to Will or Maureen?
    A. Last day of June.
    A. MRC Rollover Referral is given to Will or Maureen
    A. We do a CLOSE out Letter & do NOT continue service to the consumer.
11. Q. Who is the job specialist at the Lawrence MRC? and the Lowell MRC?
    A. Paula Santagati @ Lawrence MRC and Elaine Davey @ Lowell MRC.

~ Aging and Disability Resource Consortium

The Merrimack Valley Aging and Disability Resource Consortium (ADRC) is a collaborative project between NILP and Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley that has a "no-wrong door" entry point of service for people with disabilities and elders, looking to access community-based long term services. Services such as centralized information and referral, intake, and case management processes will be streamlined between agencies, to make it easier for consumers to acquire long term services regardless of age or disability in an efficient seamless manner.

~ ADA Consultation

The program works with Department of Public Health providers that are presently not accessible, to educate them on accessibility requirements under the ADA, and assist them in coming into compliance. Click here for a full list of services.