The Center for Independent is a proud member of the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers Systems Change Network. The CFILC Systems Change Network is a statewide disability advocacy network of 29 Independent Living Centers and the communities they serve. In each center there is a full time staff person devoted to increasing civic participation through community organizing, education and advocacy around issues that affect the Disability Communities.

MISSION: The SCNetwork calls to action the California Disability Communities and allies, through community organizing, advocacy, education, leadership development and coalition building to effect systems change in local, state and national issues. CIL’s fulltime Systems Change Advocate engages in statewide campaigns to preserve much needed disability services, such as IHSS, SSI, and Medical. The advocate works to links community members with opportunities to engage in activism on local and statewide levels. A group of Oakland advocates meet monthly, and brown-bag workshops on topics relating to self advocacy happen every two weeks in Berkeley. Staff and consumers from CIL also regularly participate in City Council meetings, legislative hearings at the capitol, rallies, and the annual Disability Capitol Action Day.

For more information on Systems Change Advocacy and ways to get involved please contact Lauren Steinberg at 510-841-4776 ex 3147 or lsteinberg@cilberkeley.org .

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