How We Can Help
Presentation to
GUARDIAN AD LITEM PROGRAM
May 19 , 2011
Noon
Your Presenters
Edie Sheeks, Attorney
Maryellen McDonald, Director
Ann Siegel, Attorney/Manager
Christopher White, Attorney
Phoebe Ball, Attorney
Linda Siemer, Advocate
Ann Robinson, Intake Manager
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Topics for Today
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Description
Mission
Authority
Goals
Intake Services
How to Request Assistance
Initiatives
Where to Learn More
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Disability Rights Florida
• Disability Rights Florida is the designated
protection and advocacy system for individuals
with disabilities in the State of Florida.
• Disability Rights Florida has authority and
responsibility under eight federal grants.
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Established in 1987, Disability Rights Florida is a
statewide, not-for-profit corporation.
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Our Mission
To advance the quality of life, dignity,
equality, self-determination, and freedom of
choice of persons with disabilities through
collaboration, education, advocacy, as well as
legal and legislative strategies.
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Federal Protection and
Advocacy Programs
1. Persons with Developmental Disabilities
(PADD)
2. Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI)
3. Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury
(PATBI)
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Federal Protection and
Advocacy Programs
4. Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS)
5. Individual Rights (PAIR)
6. Voter Access (PAVA)
7. Assistive Technology (PAAT)
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and the Client Assistance
Program (CAP)
• Applicants and customers of:
• Vocational Rehabilitation,
• Blind Services, and
• Centers for Independent Living
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Authority to Access
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Facilities
• Including state hospitals, crisis stabilization units,
residential treatment facilities, short term residential
treatment centers, group homes, intermediate care
facilities for people with DD, jails, prisons, and other
types of facilities.
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Records
• With consent of individual, legal guardian or court order
• And in special cases, without consent
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Authority to Pursue
• Legal
• Administrative
• Other appropriate remedies
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Disability Rights Florida
Services are
free and confidential
to individuals with disabilities
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EDUCATION GOALS &
SERVICES
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Access to a free and appropriate public
education in the most inclusive environment
Necessary accommodations, services,
supports mandated by federal and state law,
ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
and IDEA
Individual case advocacy including
representation at IEPs, mediation, or
administrative hearings
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CLIENT ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM & EMPLOYMENT
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Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
(DVR)
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Eligibility for services, order of
selection, when to apply
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Services Available
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GUARDIANSHIP
• Basic Principles
• Person Centered
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Planning
Least Restrictive
Decision-Making
Options
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INSTITUTIONAL
CONDITIONS
• Advocacy for Children in Residential
Settings and SIPPS
• Assisting Children with Disabilities in
the Dependency System
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Intake Role
• Brief I&R for general
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disability related
requests
Refer complex issues,
disputes or rights
violations for additional
review by Disability
Rights Florida teams
Intake Process
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Contact must be by individual with disability or
authorized representative - parent of a minor child,
guardian etc.
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Individuals represented by legal counsel will be
referred back for their attorney to contact us
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Individuals will be responded to within 4 working days
but often are responded to within 2 days or less if
intake staff are able to take the call directly
When You Call
to Request Service
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800-342-0823/TDD 800-346-4127
• We will gather
information
• Review your request
• Provide follow-up
information and referral
• Discuss possible services
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Or You May Request
Services On-Line
www.DisabilityRightsFlorida.org
• Visit the Contact Tab
• Use an Online Form to Request Services
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Se Habla Espanol
• Bilingual staff
• Translated publications
• Spanish website content
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Services to Individuals
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Information and referrals
Self-advocacy support
Technical assistance
Investigations into complaints of
abuse, neglect and rights violations
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Services to Individuals
• Dispute resolution
support
• Negotiation and
mediation support
• Advocacy services
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Statewide Initiatives
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Educating policy makers about the
needs of people with disabilities
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Systemic advocacy
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Collaborative work with community
partners on disability rights issues
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Statewide Initiatives
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Monitoring of public programs and
facilities
• Examples:
• Representative payees
• State Mental Health Treatment Facilities
• Receiving facilities
• Group living facilities of various types
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Statewide Initiatives
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Workshops and trainings
• Examples:
• 10 Steps to Effective Self-Advocacy
• Guardianship and Alternatives
• Special Education Law
• See also
www.DisabilityRightsFlorida.org
• On-line self-advocacy and disability topic
resources
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Statewide Initiatives
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An Exceptional Cause
• A Pro Bono and CLE opportunity for lawyers to
assist students with disabilities
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Connect!
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Sign up for our Electronic Newsletter
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Request a
publication
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Attend a workshop
or outreach event
Follow Disability Rights Florida on
Facebook and Twitter
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2728 Centerview Drive, Suite 102
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
800.342.0823 • TDD 800.346.4127
www.DisabilityRightsFlorida.org
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