Angela's House

	IMPROVING OUTCOMES FOR NEVADA’S BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED
	Prior to her vision loss in 2000, Angela Hoffman devoted her life to helping others as a critical care nurse, a mother of three, and a lifelong volunteer. With vision loss came an awareness that much she had taken for granted in her life now became a huge challenge. She soon learned that Nevada blindness resources were sorely insufficient and overburdened; Angela committed her efforts to improve availability of psychological and rehabilitative services. Nevada needs what Angela dreamed of - a place where those with severe vision loss can learn skills to maintain independence, self- confidence, and a sense of purpose. Angela's House will be such a place. THE VISION Create and establish a Nevada person-centered training facility for the blind and visually impaired to prepare individuals and families to live independently with access to services, education, and recreation. PLANNING EFFORTS Recognizing the importance of collaboration between public and private providers of service to blind and visually impaired persons, Blindconnect convened a Stakeholders meeting in October, 2006. Stakeholders included members of Angela’s family, representatives from Blindconnect and other blindness nonprofits and disability-related nonprofits, staff of State agencies, and State legislators. There are individuals with varying degrees of vision loss involved. The Stakeholders met to assess available services, identify gaps in services, and begin the process of defining Angela’s House. THE OUTCOME This project will meet the needs of blind and visually impaired adults who wish to regain independence and live as contributing members of their community. It is a large-scale public/private collaboration – the first in the blindness community of Nevada.
	ANGELA'S HOUSE STEERING COMMITTEE
	Jean Peyton, Chair Debbie Beller Mary Ann Beller Willi Beller Todd Butterworth Howard Castle Barbara Cegavske Anita Frantz Tim Garvin Patti Garvin Bill Hoffman Mary Liveratti Sylvia Milburn Brian Patchett Kathy Treants Marilyn Wills		President, Blindconnect Family Advocate Family Advocate Developer Bureau Chief, NV Offices Disability Services Chief, Program Services, NV DETR Nevada Legislator Disability Advocate, NDALC Owner, Property Management Company Owner, Property Management Company General Counsel, CCSD Deputy Director, NV DHHS Supervisor, NV BSBVI Executive Director, Easter Seals Transition Coordinator, NV PEP Deputy Administrator, NV Div Aging Services