CILNM Offers over 30 services to people with disabilities, the people who care about us, and the communities in which we live. 

CILNM provides the four core services that all 400+ CILs offer nation wide; independent living skills training, information and referral, advocacy and peer counseling.

Independent Living Skills Training
CILNM offers an Independent Living Skills Training program where staff provide independent living skills training in any life area in which a consumer has a goal to become more independent.  We have a variety of independent living skills assessments to utilize which can help you to determine goal areas if you like. Training is provided within the home and community where you live.

Information and Referral
CILNM provides individuals with disabilities, family members, other service providers, and the community at large with information on options and resources which enable people with disabilities to live more independently in the community of their choice.

Advocacy
CILNM. offers two kinds of advocacy:
(1) Individual consumer advocacy, which involves center staff working with you to understand your rights and obtain the support services you need to live independently.
(2) community advocacy, which involves center staff, board members, and volunteers initiating activities to make changes in the community that make it easier for all persons with disabilities to live more independently.

Peer Counseling
CILNM offers a mentor program in which a person with a disability can work with other people who have disabilities and who are living independently in the community. The objective is to learn, explore options and brainstorm problems that sometimes occur for people with disabilities, for example, making adjustments to a newly acquired disability or learning to use community services more effectively.

In addition to the four core services CILNM provides, we provide many more based upon the needs or our local comunity.

AccessNorth.net
Offers people the capability of doing their own Internet disability information and referral.  AccessNorth provides information and links to even more disability information.  AccessNorth provides links to all of our staff which will enable visitors to ask questions via e-mail.  http://accessnorth.net/contact.html

Online Disability Community
CILNM's online disability community offers chat, find a friend, video conferencing, forum and much more and can be found at http://disabilitylink.net

Internet Based Training
CILNM offers a variety of training components on our website http://iltrain.net 

Technology Project
CILNM offers our consumers refurbished personal computers which the consumer pays a $20.00 setup fee. 

Assistive Technology & Environmental Access
CILNM offers Assistive technology assessments and can often help people to obtain the assistive technology they need.  Assistive Technology is any customized item, piece of equipment or product system that is used to improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

Assistive Technology Forum
The assistive technology forum located at http://assistivetechmn.net allows people to find and sell assistive technology.

Computer Classes
CILNM offers basic to intermediate computer classes in a variety of locations.  Please contact our staff to find out when the next class in your area is.

Computer Labs in Three Locations
CILNM has computer labs in our Hibbing, Duluth and Aitkin offices which are available for consumer use.

Computer Recycling
This program distributes used computers to people with disabilities who could not otherwise obtain one.

Hearing Aid Recycling
CILNM and MN DHS Deaf Services have partnered to collect used hearing aids and recycle them.  This allows us to gain credits that will provide hearing aids to people who could otherwise not afford them.  For more information go to http://assistivetechmn.net/hear

Service Coordination Assistance
Figuring out what is available to you as a person with a disability can be confusing. CILNM can provide counseling and coordination services to you to help.

Transition from School to Community Living
CILNM offers a program which assists youth with disabilities to transition from school to independent living. The purpose of the program is to ensure that youth are aware of available resources and learn appropriate skills so they may achieve maximum independence in the community.

Disability Leadership Education
CILNM offers leadership training to people with disabilities.  In turn many consumers provide outreach services which involve people with disabilities in leadership roles and encourages community disability awareness.  CILNM keeps a listing of consumers who are willing to speak to your group for educational purposes.

Social / Recreational Opportunities
CILNM offers a wide variety of social and recreational opportunities.  In addition we keep a listing of other opportunities not sponsored by CILNM.

Support Groups
CILNM offers many support groups all over our region.  In addition to what is currently offered, we are happy to assist you in organizing new support groups.

Senior Companions
CILNM offers the Senior Companion Program in conjunction with Lutheran Social Services.  This program will provide individuals who have difficulty getting out of their homes with companionship and offers a way for people over age 60 to volunteer as a companion.  The companions receive a modest stipend for their work.  For more information contact Anita anita@accessnorth.net

Ramp Project
CILNM offers the ramp project to provide home access ramps to people with disabilities who need them.  The ramps are paid for by the consumer on a sliding fee scale.  Many times there are MN DHS programs that can pay for the ramps also. 

PCA Choice
PCA Choice is a Personal Assistance program where the consumer is the employer with all corresponding rights and responsibilities.  CILNM is the employer of record and conducts payroll activities and provides supports.  The program allows Consumers to have the highest degree of control in regard to what gets done, how it is done and who does it.  For more information go to our website http://pcachoice.com

PCA Referral
http://pcachoice.com has a PCA registry and PCA lookup which assists people with disabilities to find PCAs.

Nursing Home Relocation Services
CILNM offers assistance to people who wish to move from a nursing home or other institution into the community.  For more information please go to our website http://relocateaid.com

Flexible Case Management Services
CILNM offers advocacy and coordination services and supports consumer direction with the person with the disability choosing where and how to live. 

Waivered Services
CILNM provides Independent Living Skills Training, Independent Living Skills maintenance, and more through the MN DHS waivered service system.

Prevocational Services
CILNM provides prevocational services such as resume writing, work preparedness, interview skills, completing job applications, budgeting, benefits counseling and more.

Drivers License Written Test Assistance
CILNM offers classes designed to assist people to pass the written portion of their drivers license test.  CILNM staff will also assist in obtaining reasonable accommodations necessary to take the drivers license tests.

Entrepreneurial Assistance
CILNM is teaming up with the northeastern entrepreneur fund to offer training and loans to people with disabilities interested in starting their own businesses http://www.entrepreneurfund.org/

Telework Assistance
CILNM offers informational and organizational resources to individuals with disabilities who wish to explore tele-work as an employment option.  For more information go to our website http://assistivetechmn.net  

Work Training Opportunities
CILNM offers opportunities for people with disabilities to train in our offices for employment opportunities in clerical occupations.  These positions can be volunteer or may be paid through a variety of state employment programs.