What We Are!

(Left Front Row) Tim Buvit, Ron Wells, Andy Cooper, Kathleen Kleinmann, Karen Bogdan,
(Back Row) Eric Crunick, Cindy McManis at Membership Meeting 2007

TRIPIL is a Center for Independent Living.

Through the connection of the people of our community, individuals of all ages and abilities are able to work together to help themselves and to improve their community. TRIPIL brings together individuals who share common problems in equal access, education, housing, employment, attendant care, transportation, and access to technology.

TRIPIL is a membership based organization. The membership is comprised primarily of individuals who directly benefit through the activities of the CIL and have a direct stake in its operation.

Our purpose convening at TRIPIL is for these reasons:

To teach ourselves about the past, present, and future prospects of the Independent living movement as part of the disability and equal rights movement;
To share ideas towards the building of a common vision for Independent Living in Pennsylvania; and;
To strengthen our sense of community and common purpose as part of the local, state, national, and international independent living movement.

Events and Notifications

Valentine Day Party and Spaghetti Dinner
TRI-COUNTY PATRIOTS
FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING

VALENTINE DAY PARTY AND SPAGHETTI DINNER

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2010

5:00PM—9:30PM

AMERICAN LEGION POST 175

168 PARK AVENUE
WASHINGTON, PA 15301

$5.00 ADMISSION, FOOD, AND DISC JOCKEY

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

BOB ROMERO AT 724-223-5115

Community Action Plans
Below are links to the results of extensive Community Action Plan Meetings with the public in Fayette, Greene and Washington Counties. Plans were developed from community input and surveys. Issues were identified based upon community input and control. The plans are as follows:

Fayette County Access

Fayette County Voting

Greene County Education

Greene County Transportation

Mon Valley Access

Washington County Employment

Washington County Transportation

Washington County Housing

Washington County Voting

Funding Option for Home Modifications
Did you know that the Pennsylvania Accessible Housing Program (PAHP) can offer funding and assistance in providing home modifications? PAHP, a combined effort between the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), the Department of Public Welfare (DPW) and the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA),

PHAP provides grants to local entities to carry out home modification programs that will enable low and moderate-income persons with permanent disabilities make their current home more accessible. This program can be another resource to contact if the individuals you are working with need a home modification.

For more information about PAHP, you can visit the following website -

http://www.newpa.com/find-and-apply-for-funding/funding-and-program-finder/funding-detail/index.aspx?progId=88

Please note that you will have to contact the local agency on the attached list to get details on how to apply for the funding. The application link on the website above allows the county agencies to apply for the funding from the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Feel free to contact these agencies for more information about how to get individuals needing a home modification qualified for the program. If you do not see your county listed, please contact the Self Determination Housing Project of Pennsylvania at:

717 East Lancaster Ave., Downingtown, PA 19335, Phone: (610) 873-9595, Toll-Free: 1-877-550-7347, Fax: (610) 873-9597. The Self Determination Housing Project administers the program for the other 29 counties that are not listed on the attachment.

If you have any questions or concerns please email us at
ra-nht@state.pa.us

Thank you NHT Program Team
Contact Information:
Email: ra-nht@state.pa.us
Fax Number: 717-265-7698

Office of Long Term Living
Division of Transition and Diversion
555 Walnut Street, 6th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101

StateTransportation Commission Public Hearings : Be There!
Friday, Sept.23, 2009 -
Pittsburgh, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, 425 Sixth Ave.,31st floor.

The Transportation Program created based upon public comment and other resources will serve as a "blueprint" to determine which transportation projects will advance to the design and construction phase and be expected to be funded over a 12-year period. The program is updated every two years. This is a very important time to tell them that transportation services are critical to people with disabilities in SW PA.

More information http://www.dot.state.pa.us/
Written testimony aeverhard@state.pa.us
Phone calls: Ed Myslewicz, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, 1-717-783-8800

Annual Membership Meeting
August 7, 2009, TRIPIL will hold its annual corporate meetings and meeting of the Membership.
We will start with a lunch at Noon. Each corporation will present an update and reports of the audit.
Invited guests will speak on the PA State Budget and a new local Fair Housing Project. We are looking for volunteers to help and this is a great day to get involved. RSVP Bob Romero bobr@tripil.com so we can count you for lunch.

POLLING PLACE CHANGES NEW SITES - WASHINGTON COUNTY
Washington Precinct 4
From: First Baptist Church
To: Citizens Library

Washington Precinct 3-1
From: LeMoyne Community Center
To: Tri-County Patriots for Independent Living

Washington Precinct 2-1
From: Cafeteria
To: Chorus Room

Washington Precinct 7-1
From: Cafeteria
To: SUS Room

“Peering into the eyes of a person who sees us as their final hope of getting them out of a nursing home is far more of an irresistable force than any barrier that the state, service system, or institution can whimsically devise.”

-Kathleen Kleinmann