Editor’s Note: The text below “A Resolution Supporting Stable Federal Funding for Centers for Independent Living and Approving Contingency Planning for the Continuity of Independent Living Services” was passed by the LIFTT Board of Directors on July 2, 2026. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this resolution, please contact LIFTT at (406 ) 259-5181 or via the contact page.
LIVING INDEPENDENTLY FOR TODAY & TOMORROW (LIFTT)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Resolution No. 2026-01
A Resolution Supporting Stable Federal Funding for Centers for Independent Living and Approving Contingency Planning for the Continuity of Independent Living Services
WHEREAS, Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT) is a Montana nonprofit corporation recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and designated as a Center for Independent Living (CIL) pursuant to Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and
WHEREAS, LIFTT exists to empower aging individuals and people with disabilities to live independently through education, advocacy, peer support, information and referral, independent living skills training, transition services, and opportunities that promote full participation in community life; and
WHEREAS, For more than three decades, LIFTT has partnered with the federal government, the State of Montana, local governments, private organizations, and community stakeholders to fulfill the national commitment embodied in the Rehabilitation Act by promoting consumer control, self-determination, equal opportunity, and community integration for individuals with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, The Board of Directors recognizes that LIFTT’s ability to fulfill its mission depends upon the continued availability of stable, predictable, and responsibly administered federal and state funding, including funding provided under Parts B and C of Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act; and
WHEREAS, The Board has been informed of recent proposals to amend the federal Uniform Guidance governing federal grants (2 CFR Part 200), proposals that have generated concern throughout the national Independent Living Network regarding their potential impact on the administration and stability of federal grant programs; and
WHEREAS, The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), the national membership organization representing Centers for Independent Living, has published an analysis describing concerns that the proposed rule changes could expand the grounds for grant termination, increase administrative burdens, reduce predictability in federal funding, and create additional uncertainty for federally funded Independent Living programs; and
WHEREAS, The Board recognizes that uncertainty itself presents operational challenges for nonprofit organizations by affecting workforce planning, long-term budgeting, strategic planning, and the timely delivery of services to consumers; and
WHEREAS, The Board further recognizes that prudent governance requires planning for potential risks before they become operational emergencies and that contingency planning strengthens, rather than weakens, organizational stability;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
Section 1. Commitment to the Independent Living Philosophy
The Board of Directors reaffirms LIFTT’s unwavering commitment to the Independent Living Philosophy, including consumer control, informed choice, peer support, equal opportunity, cross-disability inclusion, self-determination, and full participation in community life.
Nothing contained in this Resolution shall be interpreted as diminishing LIFTT’s commitment to providing high-quality Independent Living services to every eligible individual within its service area.
Section 2. Support for Stable Federal Funding
The Board respectfully affirms that stable, transparent, and predictable federal funding is essential to the continued success of Centers for Independent Living nationwide.
The Board believes that individuals with disabilities benefit most when Centers for Independent Living are able to recruit and retain qualified staff, maintain long-term community partnerships, and provide uninterrupted services through consistent federal support.
Section 3. Expression of Concern
The Board respectfully expresses its concern that changes to federal grant administration that significantly increase uncertainty, reduce predictability, or impair the ability of Centers for Independent Living to plan responsibly may adversely affect the consumers served by those organizations.
This expression of concern is offered respectfully and constructively, recognizing both the authority of the federal government to administer grant programs and the importance of ensuring that grant administration continues to support the congressional purpose of the Rehabilitation Act.
Section 4. Contingency Planning
The Board finds that developing contingency plans before they become necessary constitutes responsible governance and sound fiscal stewardship.
Accordingly, the Board supports the development and adoption of policies that enable LIFTT to continue providing services fairly, consistently, transparently, and in accordance with applicable law should future funding or staffing limitations temporarily affect service capacity.
Section 5. Approval of the Waiting List Policy
The Board hereby approves the amendment to the Independent Living Program Policy and Procedure Manual establishing the Waiting List and Order of Priority for Independent Living Services.
The Board emphasizes that the Waiting List is intended solely as a contingency measure and shall be activated only when the Executive Director determines that available staffing or funding is insufficient to initiate Independent Living services for all eligible consumers.
The Board further expresses its sincere hope that the Waiting List will never require activation.
Section 6. Continued Advocacy
The Board encourages continued collaboration with the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), the Montana Independent Living Project, the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL), the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Montana’s Congressional Delegation, and other partners in support of policies that strengthen the Independent Living Network and protect the rights of individuals with disabilities.
Section 7. Public Information
The Board encourages members of the public, consumers, community partners, and policymakers to review publicly available information concerning the proposed federal grant rule changes and their potential impact on Centers for Independent Living.
Additional information may be found through the National Council on Independent Living at:
Proposed Federal Grant Rule Changes
https://ncil.org/news/announcements/proposed-federal-grant-rule-changes/
Section 8. Effective Date
This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
ADOPTED by the Board of Directors of Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT) this 2nd day of July, 2026.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Carlos A. Ramalho, Executive Director
About Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT): LIFTT is a Montana 501(c)3 corporation organized as a Center for Independent Living (CIL). With team members based in Billings and Glendive, LIFTT provides people with disabilites and aging indivduals with programs, services, resources and advocacy that help empower them to break down the physical, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers that prevent them from being fully independent participants in their lives and communities throughout 18 counties in southeastern and south-central Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Rosebud, Stillwater, Treasure, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org
Our Vision: Empowering aging individuals and people with disabilities to LIFTT themselves above the barriers of life.
Our Mission: Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow’s (LIFTT’s) mission as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Center for Independent Living serving Southeastern Montana is to empower aging individuals and people with disabilities to live independently through education, support, and opportunities.
