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FINGER LAKES INDEPENDENCE CENTER

ITHACA, NY · EIN 161330345 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE P82 · Human Services · Medium ($1M-$10M) · fliconline.org
revenue
$5.7M
expenses
$5.1M
net assets
$6.5M
employees
331
volunteers
9
program ratio
98%
mission · from form 990

TO EMPOWER ALL PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHILE CREATING AN INCLUSIVE SOCIETY THROUGH THE ELIMINATION OF SOCIAL AND ARCHITECTURAL BARRIERS.

profile · synthesized from sources

Finger Lakes Independence Center (FLIC) is a nonprofit organization based in Ithaca, NY, that empowers people with disabilities to live independently. It provides personal care coordination, assistive equipment loans, employment support, and benefits counseling. FLIC serves individuals in Tompkins and Tioga Counties through consumer-directed programs and advocacy, with a focus on community inclusion and self-determination.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $4.42M
    THE CENTER IS COMMITTED TO THE GOALS OF THE CONSUMER DIRECTED PERSONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, INCLUDING EMPOWERMENT OF THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL AND INDEPENDENTLY RECRUIT, HIRE, TRAIN, SUPERVISE AND (IF NEED BE) TERMINATE THE PERSONAL ASSISTANTS WITH WHOM THEY CHOOSE TO WORK. THE CENTER WORKS IN A LIMITED ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITY WITH THE CONSUMER AND HIS OR HER PERSONAL ASSISTANTS, ACTING ONLY AS THE STATUTORY FISCAL INTERMEDIARY TO PROVIDE NECESSARY MANAGEMENT OF PERSONNEL AND PAYROLL FUNCTIONS AS REQUIRED BY 18 NYCRR 505.28. PERSONAL ASSISTANTS ARE PROVIDED ONLY STATUTORY BENEFITS AND ARE NOT, AND NEVER HAVE BEEN, SUBJECT TO THE GENERAL PERSONNEL/EMPLOYMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES OF THE AGENCY. THE CENTER DOES NOT CONSIDER PERSONAL ASSISTANTS TO BE EMPLOYEES OF THE AGENCY. ALSO ACTS AS THE FISCAL INTERMEDIARY FOR THE CONSUMER DIRECTED PERSONAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES (CDPAS) PROGRAM IN TOMPKINS AND TIOGA COUNTIES, PROVIDING MEDICAID SPONSORED PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES NEEDING HOME HEALTH CARE WITH THE ABILITY TO HIRE AND MANAGE THEIR OWN CARE ATTENDANTS.
named programs · 7 · from sources

What they call their work

Benefits Education and Employment Assistance
Offers benefits counseling and employment support through the American Dream Employment Network (ADEN) under the Social Security Ticket to Work program.
Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP)
Enables Medicaid-eligible individuals with disabilities in Tompkins and Tioga Counties to hire and manage their own personal care assistants; FLIC acts as fiscal intermediary for payroll and compliance.
Expanded In-home Services for the Elderly Program (EISEP)
Provides in-home personal care and housekeeping services on a sliding scale to Tompkins County residents aged 60+ who need support but do not qualify for Medicaid.
Loan Closet
Offers short-term loans of durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, commodes, and safety rails, primarily to residents of Tompkins County.
NY Connects – Tompkins County
Provides free, unbiased information and referrals for long-term services and supports to older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, and providers.
Ramp Loan Program
Loans aluminum modular ramps to people with disabilities in Tompkins County to improve home accessibility, with a refundable deposit.
The Registry
Matches individuals in Tompkins County needing in-home support with screened caregivers for services including personal care, housekeeping, errands, and pet care.
activities · 7 groups

What they do

  • Disability Rights Advocacy & Self-Advocacy Empowerment 2 activities
    • Delivers educational presentations and outreach on disability topics
      Conducts educational sessions for workplaces, schools, and community organizations on disability-related subjects including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), disability etiquette, and FLIC’s services. Also hosts informational events and presentations to raise awareness about disability rights and independent living resources.
    • Engages in disability rights advocacy
      Advocates for inclusion and equity for people with disabilities through community-level efforts and state policy initiatives, promoting participation in recreational activities and advancing legislative action on disability issues.
  • Consumer-Directed Personal Care Administration 1 activity
    • Administers Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP/CDPAS)
      Acts as a fiscal intermediary for the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Services (CDPAS) program in Tompkins and Tioga Counties, enabling Medicaid-eligible individuals with disabilities to hire, train, and manage their own personal care attendants. This includes both CDPAP and Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly Program (EISEP) administration.
  • Home Accessibility Modifications 1 activity
    • Facilitates home accessibility and caregiver matching services
      Operates a loan program for aluminum modular ramps to improve home accessibility in Tompkins County and runs a service that connects individuals needing in-home care with qualified caregivers willing to work in private homes.
  • Durable Medical Equipment Loan Programs 1 activity
    • Operates assistive technology and durable medical equipment lending programs
      Runs a Try It Room and lending library that provides free, short-term access to assistive technology and durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs, safety rails, kitchen aids, and dressing tools. Equipment loans last up to three months, with walk-in access available during business hours and no deposit required for one-month loans.
  • Supported Employment for Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
    • Provides employment assistance through the Ticket to Work program
      Offers employment support services to Social Security disability beneficiaries through the Ticket to Work program as a member of the American Dream Employment Network (ADEN). Services include eligibility screening, benefits education, job readiness support, and personalized counseling to promote financial independence for beneficiaries aged 18–64.
  • Residential Support for Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
    • Provides independent living services and support for people with disabilities
      Offers a comprehensive range of direct support services to help individuals with disabilities live independently, including benefits counseling, personal care assistance coordination, transition planning for youth, and access to long-term services and supports. Serves approximately 2,000 people annually in New York State, primarily in the Finger Lakes region.
  • College Access and Success Support 1 activity
    • Supports youth transitioning from school to adult life
      Provides individualized transition services for students with disabilities moving from high school to post-secondary education, employment, and independent living. Support includes exploring options, accessing services, self-advocacy training, and preparation for adult responsibilities.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$5.66M
Contributions & grants$350K6%
Program service revenue$5.27M93%
Investment income$43K1%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$5.12M
Program expenses98%
Admin / overhead2%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$4.84M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$6.51M
Cash$5.23M
Investments$1.04M
Liabilities$29K
Net assets$6.48M
Liquid reserves14.7 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -23.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
JANETTE LYNCH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $113K
board members · 9
  • ELLICE SWITZER — PRESIDENT
  • JOZEF PHILLIPS — DIRECTOR
  • LARRY ROBERTS — DIRECTOR
  • MICHAEL BRADLEY — DIRECTOR/TREASURER
  • PATRICIA FRATANGELO — DIRECTOR
  • RICHARD HOLBOROW — DIRECTOR
  • ROBERT MEEK — DIRECTOR
  • THENA LINDHORST — DIRECTOR
  • TIM SCHMIDLE — VICE PRESIDENT
relationships · 18

Who they work with

  • American Dream Employment Network Network — FLIC is a member of ADEN, a national employment network under the Social Security Administration's Ticket to Work program.
  • American Dream Employment Network Network — National employment network providing face-to-face services to individuals receiving Social Security disability benefits.
  • Ashley and Patrick Bohn Partner — Fundraising supporters who raised funds to obtain an accessible scale for FLIC.
  • B&C Partner — Partner organization providing accessibility support for FLIC's website.
  • Ithaca College Partner — Collaborated with students at Ithaca College to create a Student Transition Buzzfeed Quiz.
  • Medicaid Funder — Funds the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) offered by FLIC.
  • NY Connects Government — Finger Lakes Independence Center operates the NY Connects program in Tompkins County, providing state-connected long-term support services.
  • NY Connects/Department of Social Services Office of Long Term Care Partner — Conducts in-home assessments and collaborates on eligibility determinations for EISEP and CDPAP programs.
  • NY Independent Living Centers Network Network — Member of the statewide network of Independent Living Centers since inception.
  • New York State Office for the Aging Funder — Provides funding for The Registry and EISEP programs.
  • Social Security Administration Government — FLIC provides services under the SSA's Ticket to Work program for disability beneficiaries.
  • The American Dream Employment Network Partner — Partners to deliver Employment Services and Benefit Advisement.
  • Tompkins County Government — Hosts subcommittees on which FLIC staff serve, including the Developmental Disabilities Subcommittee and Mental Health Subcommittee.
  • Tompkins County Partner — Collaborates on operating cooling centers for people with disabilities.
  • Tompkins County Office for the Aging Funder — Funds the Expanded In-home Services for the Elderly Program (EISEP) offered by FLIC.
  • Tompkins County Office for the Aging Funder — Provides funding for The Registry and EISEP programs.
  • Tompkins County Office for the Aging Partner — Collaborates on in-home personal care programs including CDPAP and the Registry Program, and coordinates services through NYConnects.
  • United Way Partner — Partner agency collaborating on support and programs for people with disabilities.
strategies · 4

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Consumer-Directed Care Model
    methodology: consumer-directed_care
    By allowing individuals with disabilities to hire, supervise, and manage their own personal care aides, the organization increases autonomy and self-determination because control over care fosters dignity, accountability, and personalized support.
  • Peer Support for Self-Determination
    methodology: peer_support
    By connecting individuals with disabilities to peer counselors who have lived experience, the organization strengthens self-efficacy and independent living outcomes because shared experience builds trust, reduces isolation, and models achievable goals.
  • Person-Driven Independent Living Approach
    methodology: person_driven_approach
    By centering individual choice and personal goals in service design and delivery, the organization promotes lasting independence because people are more engaged and successful when they direct their own paths.
  • Systems Advocacy to Remove Structural Barriers
    methodology: systems_and_environmental_change
    By advocating for systemic and environmental changes, the organization promotes inclusion and empowerment because removing architectural and social barriers enables full community participation for people with disabilities.