Independent Lifestyles

What Independent Lifestyles does

Independent Lifestyles, Inc. (ILICIL) is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit Center for Independent Living founded in 1997 by Cara Ruff, headquartered in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, and serving individuals with disabilities across eleven counties in Central Minnesota. The organization operates as a comprehensive human-centered services provider rather than a technology platform, delivering fifteen-plus coordinated programs spanning its five core services (Peer Mentoring, Information & Referral, Transition to Community, Advocacy, and Independent Living Skills Training) plus specialized offerings including Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Targeted Case Management, Representative Payee, Housing Stabilization, Health Care Program coordination through Managed Care Organizations, Individualized Home Supports with Training, PCA Choice / CFSS, Consumer Support Grants, GRACE companion/errand services, and a tiered 24 Hour Emergency Assistance subscription program. Camp Bliss retreat center and the Think Again advocacy campaign extend the portfolio into wellness and public-awareness verticals.

The business model is primarily government-funded and programmatic: revenue derives from Medical Assistance benefits, state disability waiver programs (CADI, CAC, BI, DD), Special Needs Basic Care (SNBC) managed-care contracts with Blue Plus, Medica, Health Partners, and UCare, partial United Way of Central MN funding for Representative Payee, and a small direct-to-consumer revenue stream from the three-tier 24 Hour Assistance subscription ($15.00, $45.00, and $60.29 per day). There is no proprietary technology platform; service delivery is staff-led in consumers' homes, communities, and offices, with a community-led go-to-market driven by referrals from waiver case managers, care coordinators, targeted case managers, housing consultants, MCOs, and self-referrals across the eleven-county region. Operations support offices in St. Cloud and Duluth supplement the Sauk Rapids headquarters.

Name

Independent Lifestyles

Legal name

Independent Lifestyles, Inc.

Website

https://independentlifestyles.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Independent Lifestyles (ILICIL) is a Minnesota-based Center for Independent Living founded in 1997 that delivers fifteen-plus disability support services, including peer mentoring, case management, housing stabilization, and vocational rehabilitation, across eleven Central Minnesota counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Independent Living with Supportive Services (Light ADL/IADL Support) (HLADAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Independent Living Skills Training (ADLs/IADLs) (EDAKANAG), Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK)

Keywords

• Independent living services
• Disability support services
• Targeted case management
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Housing stabilization services

Headquarters

HQ city

Sauk Rapids

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funded Programs (Medical Assistance): Services funded through Medical Assistance benefits including waiver programs (CADI, CAC, BI, DD), Special Needs Basic Care (SNBC), and other state-funded disability services. Revenue is programmatic, based on eligible consumers enrolled in Medicaid programs.
2. United Way Funding: Partial funding support from United Way of Central MN for the Representative Payee program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Independent Lifestyles (ILICIL) is a Center for Independent Living that delivers a comprehensive suite of independent living, disability support, and care coordination services to people of all disabilities and ages across eleven counties in Central Minnesota. Core offerings include Peer Mentoring, Information & Referral, Advocacy, Independent Living Skills Training, and Transition Services, complemented by specialized programs such as Vocational Rehabilitation, Housing Stabilization, Health Care Program care coordination, Targeted Case Management, Representative Payee, PCA Choice / CFSS, Individualized Home Supports, GRACE companion services, Consumer Support Grants, and 24 Hour Emergency Assistance. The organization also operates the Camp Bliss retreat center for people with disabilities and veterans.

Product overview

Independent Lifestyles (ILICIL) is a Center for Independent Living providing a comprehensive suite of 15+ services designed to empower individuals with disabilities to live independently. The organization offers five core services (Peer Mentoring, Information & Referral, Advocacy, Independent Living Skills Training, and Transition to Community) supported by specialized programs including Vocational Rehabilitation, Housing Stabilization, Health Care coordination, and 24-hour emergency assistance. Additional offerings include Camp Bliss retreat center and the Think Again advocacy campaign. The portfolio operates as a coordinated service ecosystem addressing diverse disability-related needs across Central Minnesota.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vocational Rehabilitation Services A partnership with Vocational Rehabilitation Services supporting consumers with disabilities toward successful long-term employment, consisting of Benefits Coaching, Independent Living Services, Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), and WIOA.
• Transition Services Assists individuals to move into more independent integrated community-based living, including assistance with purchasing household items, furniture, damage deposits, application fees, moving expenses, and pest/allergen treatments.
• Targeted Case Management Adult Mental Health Targeted Case Management (AMH-TCM) for adults with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI), utilizing functional assessments and individual community support plans.
• Representative Payee Financial management and fiduciary services for individuals with disabilities who need assistance managing SSI/Social Security or Veteran Benefits, including budget creation and payment obligations.
• Peer Mentoring The foundation program of Independent Lifestyles where Peer Mentors serve as role models to assist others in coping with disabilities, overcoming barriers, setting goals, and achieving community integration.
• PCA Choice / Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) Program for people with disabilities to manage their personal care needs, supporting independent living and active community participation through person-centered and flexible services.
• Information & Referral Assists people with disabilities, families, and community members in locating services such as affordable housing, transportation, adaptive equipment, and support services.
• Independent Living Skills Training Builds skills in daily life areas including self-esteem, relationships, cooking, nutrition, financial management, housing, employment, health, safety, and community living, provided in homes and communities.
• Individualized Home Supports (I.H.S.) With Training A 245D licensed service for people living independently, focusing on community participation, health/wellness, household management, and adaptive skills for individuals on CADI, CAC, BI, and DD waivers.
• Housing Stabilization Services Medical Assistance benefit helping people with disabilities and seniors find and maintain housing of their choice through trained Independent Living Specialists.
• Health Care Program Care coordination for individuals enrolled in Special Needs Basic Care (SNBC) and other Medica products, working with Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) to ensure medical needs are met.
• GRACE (Gentle Help, Reminders, Assistance, Companionship, & Errands) Pre-paid, consumer-controlled program for seniors and people with disabilities providing medication reminders, well-being checks, errands, companionship, and light housekeeping.
• Consumer Support Grants Monthly subsidies for children and adults with disabilities living at home to purchase goods, supports, and services beyond usual home care, providing flexibility in choosing supports and providers.
• 24 Hour Emergency Assistance & Stabilization 245D licensed service providing on-call counseling, problem-solving, and immediate response for health or personal emergencies, with three tiered service levels ($15/day, $45/day, $60.29/day).
• Advocacy Advocacy services at individual and systems levels to remove barriers for people with disabilities, promote inclusion, and address disability issues in the community.
• Camp Bliss Retreat center dedicated to providing peaceful getaways for people with disabilities and veterans, offering relaxation, healing, and community connection opportunities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Served thousands of people with all types of disabilities and ages since 1997

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Vocational Rehabilitation ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Vocational Rehabilitation Services supporting Consumers with any disability towards successful long-term employment. ILICIL's Vocational Rehabilitation Program consists of 4 separate services supporting employment goals.
• Managed Care Organizations (MCOs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Managed Care Organizations for Health Care Program providing care coordination for individuals enrolled in Special Needs Basic Care (SNBC) plans. Partners include Blue Plus, Medica, Health Partners, and UCare.
• PMAP Health Plans (Blue Plus, Medica, Health Partners, UCare)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerServe eligible Adult Mental Health Targeted Case Management members with Blue Plus, Medica, Health Partners, and UCare PMAPs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Metropolitan Center for Independent Living: Twin Cities-based Center for Independent Living serving the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro. Operates as a sister CIL to Independent Lifestyles under the same federal CIL program, offering the same five core services (peer mentoring, ILS training, advocacy, information & referral, transition) plus housing and benefits support.
• Access North - Center for Independent Living: Minnesota CIL serving Northeastern Minnesota including Duluth. Direct peer delivering the federal CIL core services and similar waiver-funded programs (housing stabilization, PCA, individualized home supports) across a comparable rural/suburban footprint.
• SMILES Center for Independent Living: Minnesota-based Center for Independent Living serving Southwestern Minnesota counties. Offers the same federal CIL core services and waiver-funded disability supports, making it a comparable small CIL peer for benchmarking service design and funding mix.
• Independent Resources, Inc. Minnesota Center for Independent Living serving the Bemidji/North Central region. Direct peer providing CIL core services and disability support programs under the same federal CIL funding framework and Medicaid waivers.
• Options for Independent Living: Wisconsin-based Center for Independent Living offering the federal CIL core services plus waiver-funded supports across a multi-county footprint. Directly comparable in service mix, funding model, and regional-center operating structure.

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: National nonprofit federation providing disability and rehabilitation services across all 50 states. Overlaps with ILICIL in advocacy, vocational rehab, and community-based supports, but operates at significantly larger scale and broader scope than a single-state CIL.
• The Arc: National disability advocacy and direct services organization with state and local chapters. Comparable in mission (independent living, advocacy, person-centered supports) but operates at vastly larger national scale and a broader intellectual/developmental disability focus.
• L'Arche USA: National federation of L'Arche communities providing supported independent and shared living for people with intellectual disabilities. Comparable person-centered model and commitment to community integration, though it leans more residential/intentional community than CIL service delivery.

Emerging players

• Dungarvin: National provider of residential and community-based supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Overlaps with ILICIL on individualized home supports, PCA, and community participation services, but with a larger multi-state footprint and more residential care focus.

Regional players

• REM Minnesota: Minnesota-based provider of residential, in-home, and community supports for people with disabilities, part of Sevita. Comparable service portfolio (IHS, PCA, supported living) and shared Minnesota Medicaid waiver funding model, but with a more residential and corporate operating profile than a CIL.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Independent Lifestyles