CIL NET Presents… A National Teleconference & Webinar

Get to the Core of It: Peer Support

May 19, 2010; 3:00-4:30 PM EST

Register Online or by completing this printable registration form.

Cost: $75.00

This year, CIL NET is offering a teleconference & webinar series on the four-core services of Centers for Independent Living. Taking place in five parts, the series will explore best practices and innovative approaches to the four core services: Information & Referral, Peer Support, Independent Living Skills Training, Individual Advocacy, and Systems Advocacy.  Each presentation in the series will feature CIL staff and programs that are especially successful at providing excellent services to their communities. 

The second episode in the series, Peer Support, will feature two excellent presenters from ABIL – Arizona Bridge to Independent Living – a Center for Independent Living in Phoenix, Arizona.  ABIL runs an excellent volunteer based peer support program that serves as an excellent model for CILs of all sizes. 

Target Audience:

Executive directors, Program Directors, Volunteer / Peer Support Coordinators and other staff interested in developing or improving a peer support program at their CIL!

Registration Fee:

$75.00 per site. Fee does not apply per participant; registrants are encouraged to gather as many individuals as desired to participate by telephone or webcast. ALL CILs and SILCs are encouraged to participate in this important training. We know some organizations need several weeks to cut checks – don’t let this stop you from registering! Register today and send payment as soon as you are able – even if you must wait until after the presentation.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this webinar, participants will have knowledge and resources which will enable them to:

• Describe effective volunteer peer support program elements that can ensure successful service delivery, including peer mentor and mentee recruitment, mentor matching and match supervision.

• Describe the far-reaching benefits of a successful program for the CIL, mentors, mentees, and the community.

• Describe the role, tasks, and scope for mentor, mentee and CIL staff in a volunteer peer mentor program that optimizes success.

• Describe topics for peer mentor training that will increase mentors’ ability to support, coach, and guide their mentees.

Meet Your Presenters

Amina Donna Kruck is The Director of Advocacy Programs at Arizona Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL) in Phoenix, Arizona. A Professional Licensed Counselor with a Master’s of Counseling from Arizona State University, Amina has overseen the development of ABIL’s volunteer Peer Mentor program since 1991. Amina has been an activist in the Independent Living movement with ABIL since 1990 with 24 years of peer counseling experience and has worked in the correctional and mental health fields prior to joining the ABIL team. Amina facilitates the Healer Within Women Wellness Group, Disability Liberation/ Attitudinal Barriers workshops and has taught a multi-disciplinary university course “Perspectives on Disability.”   Amina is the Project Director for the statewide AZ Freedom to Work - Social Security Work Incentives Planning Assistance Program since the Ticket rolled out.  ABIL’s Advocacy program addresses individual issues, provides monthly advocacy workshops and advocates to effect community/ system’s change.  Amina is vice chair of the AZ Disability Advocacy Coalition and the designated lobbyist for ABIL.  She is the recipient of the 2008 AZ Capitol Times Leadership Unsung Hero award, the 2004 National Council on Independent Living Region IX Advocate of the Year award and the 2001 Paralyzed Veterans of America Arizona Chapter Dick Sloviaczek Barrier Buster Award.

April Reed is the Volunteer Coordinator at Arizona Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL) in Phoenix.  She coordinates the ABIL Peer Mentor and General Administrative Volunteer programs, which includes recruiting, training, and matching mentors with consumers working on independent living goals.  Reed facilitates disability presentations to schools, the monthly mentoring and discussion group for mentors, mentees, and consumers and coordinates volunteer activities, including a monthly volunteer group and staffing of community information tables.  Previously she was ABIL’s Information and Referral Specialist.  Reed is a Licensed Masters Social Worker, receiving her Masters degree in Social Work from Arizona State University in May 2005.  She is a member of the planning committee for the Arizona Disability Expo, and Vice-Chair of the Arizona State Rehabilitation Council (SRC).

PRESENTED BY CIL-NET: A program of the IL NET national training and technical assistance project for Centers for Independent Living (CIL-NET) and Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILC-NET). The IL NET is operated by ILRU, Independent Living Research Utilization, in partnership with the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) and the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL).