NorthEast Independent Living Services

One on one support is available from volunteers and staff. The goal of peer support is to assist persons in learning coping skills for today’s world. We use the motto “been there, done that,” meaning that experience is the best education. Staff and volunteers who have acquired positive skills for managing their disabilities assist consumers to explore options, solve problems, and develop new skills.

NEILS is available to help people learn how to speak for themselves. We will help all individuals who would like to become better self-advocates. Building skills and self-esteem enables individuals to ask for what they need to become or remain independent. It is necessary for persons with disabilities to develop these skills to more effectively impact their needs, and to impact local, state, and national disability policies. NEILS provides training, networking with other agencies, plus timely information to individuals about disability related issues in its monthly newsletter.

Individualized training in daily living activities that are essential to living independently, safely, effectively, and successfully. Training topics available include but are not limited to: budgeting and personal finance, cooking, lease and tenant/landlord responsibilities, recreation, computer/internet, reading, training on management of attendant services, pre-employment skills, interpersonal skills, utilization of other services available and goal setting to achieve increased independence.

Our equipment loan program has been designed to provide consumer with temporary equipment loan for daily living. The equipment on the program is given by donations from individuals or friends and families of ones who no longer need the equipment. The equipment is checked to ensure safety and then processed into the program to be available for loan to an individual who does have a need. The equipment can be loaned to a consumer on a short-term basis. Examples of equipment are, but are not limited to, walkers, shower chairs, transfer benches, commodes, and wheelchairs.

NEILS Strongly believes in integrating persons with disabilities who are institutionalized back into community living. Our Transition Program is designed to assist persons with disabilities in achieving this goal. There are many steps that must be taken in order for de-institutionalization to occur. NEILS will assist in all stages of this process including the initial planning, finding a home, helping find financial assistance, along with the many other stages of the transitions program. We have resources available about the Olmstead Decision and your Constitutional Rights which play a large role in the de-institutionalization process.

NEILS staff members are trained to provide an assessment of a person with a disability and the technology needs. NEILS can provide assistance with obtaining anything from lifts to vehicle hand controls to assistive computer devices and much more. Staff will provide recommendations for technology choices and assist with locating and applying for financial assistance. People also have an option of trying out times such as adaptive equipment available for loan. If the consumer is looking for used equipment we will assist in connecting them with resources to match their specific needs. The low vision library is in conjunction with Rehabilitation Services for the Blind.

Some persons with disabilities require assistance with activities of daily living to enable them to live independently within his/her community. CDS allows individuals with disabilities to receive assistance with his/her daily living activities and other tasks while remaining in the home. This program allows the direction of Medicaid Dollars for in-home, consumer directed services. The CDS program allows the individual to direct his or her own care at no cost to you, the consumer. Qualified individuals direct his/her own care by hiring the attendant(s) of his/her own choice and managing and directing the services that meet the individuals needs. Eligibility requirements include being a resident of Missouri, need bathing, dressing, meal preparation, etc. The consumer must be eighteen (18) years of age or older, be Medicaid eligible in the state of Missouri and be able to direct his/her own self-care.

In-Home Services are provided to individuals in need of assistance with activities of daily living to enable them to live independently wihtin his/her community. The In-Home program can provide assistance with tasks such as housekeeping, meal preparation, personal care, laundry, shopping/errands, and many other tasks. We also provide nurse visits and basic respite care. NEILS currently accepts Missouri MO HealthNet (Medicaid) or private pay.

TAP for Telephone is provided by Missouri Assistive Technology free of charge to qualified persons. TAP-T provides basic voice telephone calling (both sending and receiving) and telephone alerting devices (telephones) for individuals with disabilities in the state of Missouri through the delivery of adaptive telephone equipment. NEILS is a demonstration site and you can view and test the phones to determine which will best fit your needs. Some qualifications include, but are not limited to:
◦You must be a Missouri resident
◦You must have telephone service in your home
◦You must have a certified disability