Independent Living Services outlines residential and day‑program work supporting adults with intellectual disabilities

Alyssa Douglas, executive director of Independent Living Services (ILS), told the committee ILS operates residences and day programs for adults with intellectual disabilities and uses modest county grants to fill gaps in client needs.

Douglas said ILS serves about 292 individuals directly with a staff of roughly 383 employees, operates multiple apartment complexes (including one in Greenbrier) and several group homes and day‑program services. ILS licenses require that clients have an intellectual disability and some residents have additional medical or behavioral care needs.

When asked how the county’s $2,000 appropriation is used, Douglas said the funding helps cover transitional or one‑time needs that Medicaid or managed‑care payments do not cover — for example, furniture or essential household items when an individual moves into ILS housing. She described a case in which the agency continued providing services to an individual while Medicaid eligibility was reinstated and said the county funds help bridge such gaps.

Douglas invited committee members to visit ILS facilities and said the organization relies heavily on Medicaid-managed payments supplemented by grants and local support for areas not covered by state or federal reimbursement.

The committee did not take any vote; Douglas provided brochures and offered to host site visits.