2026-02-10T04:21:00-00:00 2025-09-30 061335884 Greg A DeFrank CPA 7247 East Village Square Vero Beach FL 32966 990 2024-10-01 061175590 Access Independence Inc ACCE 2033786977 300 Longbeach Boulevard STE 1 Stratford CT 06615 Charles M Conway Executive Director 2033786977 2026-02-10 true Greg A DeFrank P01264883 2032395999 2026-02-10 X 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Charles M Conway 300 Longbeach Blvd STE 1 Stratford CT 06615 987438 false X www.drcfc.org X 1986 CT Work with individuals with disabilities to enable them to live or work more independently in their communities and workplace. See Schedule O for a more detailed explanation of the Mission Statement. 6 6 18 0 761827 872631 79853 95406 18678 19401 0 860358 987438 0 0 606734 668676 0 6842 231676 243320 838410 911996 21948 75442 679204 679792 425815 350961 253389 328831 X Work with individuals with disabilities to enable them to live or work more independently in their communities and workplace. See Schedule O for a more detailed explanation of the Mission Statement. false false 588743 Core Services During the fiscal year ending9/30/2025, Access Independence supported individuals with disabilities through various independent living services. These services included peer counseling, independent living skills training, housing assistance, individual and systems advocacy, information and referral, assistive technology, durable medical equipment guidance, and transportation related referrals. All services were delivered with the goal of supporting individuals to live and work as independently as possible within their chosen communities.Throughout the fiscal year, a total of 287 new and ongoing individuals were served. Of those served, 40 individuals received assistive technology and prosthesis related counseling and referrals. Independent living and life skills training, peer counseling, education advocacy, personal care assistance referrals, and related supports were provided to 243 individuals. Vocational referrals, coaching, and transportation assistance and training were delivered to 51 individuals. CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O. 146454 Money Follows the Person Through the Money Follows the Person Nursing Facility Transition program, individuals with disabilities were supported in pursuing their goal of transitioning from nursing facilities into the community. Access Independence worked closely with each consumer to identify, coordinate, and secure appropriate community-based services, resources, and supports necessary to facilitate a successful transition. Advocacy efforts were utilized when appropriate to support consumer choice and self-determination. During the fiscal year, 53 consumers were assisted through the nursing facility transition process, with 12 individuals successfully transitioning into community-based residences of their choice. Following transition, these individuals received six months of ongoing follow-up, including regular status checks, satisfaction surveys, and referrals for any needed adjustments to personal care or support plans. 64798 Through the ADRC MIPPA program, Access Independence provided a centralized point of access for individuals with disabilities and older adults seeking Aging and Disability Resource services. These services included benefits counseling, personal care assistance information, and related supports through collaboration with the Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging. During the fiscal year, more than five presentations were delivered statewide to educate professionals and community partners on ADRC services and available supports. In addition, outreach efforts included numerous phone calls and mailings to inform individuals about the Medicare Savings Program and other benefits available through ADRC MIPPA. 32240 832235 true false false false false false false false false false true false false true true false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 6 0 true 18 true false false false false false false false false false false false false X 6 6 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true false true true false false CT X X Greg A DeFrank CPA 2032395999 300 Long Beach Boulevard Stratford CT 06615 Melissa Cullen-Carter Executive Director 037.50 X X 83092 0 0 Charles M Conway Past Executive Director 037.50 X X 78267 0 0 Joel Harss President 000.50 X X 0 0 0 Elliott Calderon Vice President 000.50 X X 0 0 0 Brendon Wendt Director 000.50 X 0 0 0 Bernie Richfield Secretary 002.00 X X 0 0 0 Jack Heslin Director 000.50 X 0 0 0 Carrie Bocian Director 000.50 X 0 0 0 Joe Zakowski Director 000.50 X 0 0 0 161359 false false false 1 866553 6078 872631 Fees for Performing Program Services 900099 95406 95406 95406 19401 19401 987438 95406 19401 0 0 0 0 160907 125771 31327 3809 0 398304 397499 717 88 0 56628 52987 3245 396 52837 49439 3028 370 0 0 34400 12200 22200 0 0 5921 4261 1660 0 0 0 0 64288 60154 3684 450 0 0 15385 14395 882 108 0 0 11913 11147 683 83 6749 5310 1401 38 Direct Client and Reasonable Accommodations 32240 32240 Professional Dues and Subscriptions 14405 13479 825 101 Telecommunications 9759 9132 559 68 Supplies and Maintenance 38841 36343 2226 272 9419 7878 482 1059 911996 832235 72919 6842 207613 117639 227890 295706 31769 96462 11566 16806 146391 127548 30756 18843 169610 134336 679204 679792 119179 76226 140495 140495 166141 134240 425815 350961 X 253389 328831 253389 328831 679204 679792 75442 X X false true X true false X 658523 634757 663978 761827 872630 3591715 658523 634757 663978 761827 872630 3591715 3591715 18678 19401 38079 84898 77162 92618 79853 95406 429937 4059731 0.88470 0.88740 X false 118410 99567 18843 27981 27981 18843 Financial derivatives and other financial products Closely-held equity interests Security Deposit 5000 Operating Lease Right-of-Use Asset, Net 129336 134336 Federal income taxes Operating Lease Right-of-Use Liability 134240 134240 987438 987438 987438 911996 911996 911996 Form 990, Part III, Line 4d Program Service Expenses 32,240, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Case Services - During the fiscal year ending 09/30/2025, 71 consumers received direct financial assistance through Part B Case Service Funds and or restricted donor funds. These resources were used to assist individuals in addressing barriers that limited their ability to live independently in their homes or perform their jobs effectively. Assistance provided during the year included, but was not limited to, transportation support, food, clothing, utility assistance, housing assistance, temporary personal care assistance services, furniture, and other essential supports. These targeted interventions played a critical role in improving stability, safety, and independence for the individuals served. Form 990, Part III, Line 4d Program Service Expenses 0, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Additional Accomplishments - Access Independence, in collaboration with other Centers for Independent Living, continued to promote emergency preparedness education throughout the community. These seminars focus on educating professionals on how to appropriately support individuals with disabilities during emergency situations and will continue into the next fiscal year. In addition, Access Independence received approximately 25 donated sleeping bags that convert into jackets. These items were distributed by the Community Outreach Advocate to individuals experiencing homelessness in the community. This initiative continued from the prior fiscal year and is expected to remain an ongoing outreach effort in the coming years. Form 990, Part I, Line 1. Access independence, Inc. works with individuals with disabilities to enable them to live and/or work more independently in their communities. To achieve this objective, the organization provides advocacy, peer support, independent living skills training and provide information and referral services to these individuals with disabilities and/or their families who live primarily in the Southwestern Region of Connecticut and beyond as dictated by grantor and/or donors. Form 990, Part III, Line 1. Access independence, Inc. works with individuals with disabilities to enable them to live and/or work more independently in their communities. To achieve this objective, the organization provides advocacy, peer support, independent living skills training and provide information and referral services to these individuals with disabilities and/or their families who live primarily in the Southwestern Region of Connecticut and beyond as dictated by grantor and/or donors. Form 990, Part VI, Section B., Line 11.b. A copy of Form 990 in pdf format is electronically sent to the Board of Directors for their review, comments and changes. Any and all changes are incorporated into the return and then it is finalized for filing. Form 990, Part VI, Section B., Line 12.c. The Conflict of Interest Policy is reviewed and updated periodically. Since a Conflict of Interest statement is required to accompany almost all contracts. This policy is reviewed as the various contracts are reviewed, which is about annually and approved by the board of directors and key employee. Form 990, Part VI, Section B., Line 15.a. The State of Connecticut has five 5 Centers for Independent Living with similar operations, which affords the Board of Directors to review comparable compensation data from the other four 4 Centers for Independent Living within CT who have similar operations and employees in the same exact position. Form 990, Part VI, Section C., Line 19. The Organization makes the Form 990, its Conflict of Interest Policy and Financial Statements available to anyone requesting such. In addtion, the Form 990 is posted onto the GuideStar website, which is allows anyone interested free acces to it. Form 990, Part XII, Line 2.c. The Board of Directors oversee the Audited Financial Statementsand the selection of the Independent Auditor Form 990, Part III, Line 4.a. CORE SERVICES Continued - Housing related services, including housing search assistance, home modifications, and shelter related services, supported 110 individuals. In addition, Access Independence responded to 1,234 general information and referral inquiries during the year. Overall, the program service accomplishments for the fiscal year demonstrate the continued commitment to empowering individuals with disabilities. Through a broad range of supports and individualized services, the organization continues to strengthen independence, accessibility, and inclusion while improving quality of life outcomes for those served. Form 990, Part III, Line 4.b. Nursing Facility Transition Continued - Access Independence continued care coordination efforts with partner agencies to ensure continuity of services. All nursing facility transition consumers, whether successfully transitioned, actively in the process, or remaining in institutional settings, remained eligible for additional individualized services and supports.