Orientation

Who We Are

The Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) is an independent planning body working with the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services and the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired to increase the impact of Independent Living (IL) services in Virginia. The SILC is composed of gubernatorial appointees who represent people with significant disabilities across the state, the interests of Centers for Independent Living (CILs), and Independent Living programs and services.

What We Do

We are responsible for the development and implementation of the Statewide Plan for Independent Living (SPIL). The SPIL, which is required by Section 704 of the federal Rehabilitation Act, is updated on a triennial basis and delineates specific objectives and timelines for ensuring that the Commonwealth is providing the appropriate planning, financial support and coordination, and other assistance to appropriately address the needs of citizen with disabilities for independent living services

2013 SILC Members

Sherri Coles
McLean

Sandra Cook
Petersburg

Lisbet Dula
Virginia Beach

Carmela Greer
Lynchburg

Harry Henderson, Jr.
Alexandria

Ken Jessup
Virginia Beach

Karen Michalski-Karney, Vice Chairperson
Roanoke

Mary Mathena, Secretary
Virginia Beach

Lauren Snyder Roche, Treasurer
Poquoson

Ellen Shackelford
Hampton

Trisha Stevenson
Charlottesville

Chris Bennett Terrell
Alexandria

Petrina Thomas
Culpeper

Shawn Utt, Chairperson
Pulaski

Eddie Wimbish, Treasurer
Gordonsville

Ex-Officio Members

Theresa Preda
Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services
Richmond, Virginia

Jane Ward Solomon
Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired
Richmond, Virginia

Ronald Lanier
Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Richmond, Virginia

Lee Price
Department for Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
Richmond, Virginia

Appointments

http://www.commonwealth.virginia.gov

Are you interested in applying for an appointment to the Statewide Independent Living Council? One of the functions of the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth is to assist the Governor in his appointments of over 4,000 individuals to serve on Virginia's boards and commissions. That Office is deeply committed to the principle of including all segments of the Commonwealth's population into government, because this is what makes the theory of self-government a reality.

If you wish to serve on the Statewide Independent Living Council, or recommend qualified candidates to serve, please visit http://www.commonwealth.virginia.gov/

For a list of current vacancies or if you have any questions, please contact Rhonda Jeter, SILC Administrator, at Rhonda.Jeter@dars.virginia.gov or by phone at (866) 460–9306 (V/VP) or (804) 325–1360 (V/VP).

Council Staff

Rhonda Jeter
Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services
Richmond, Virginia