Who should I call — PAI or OCRAI n the last issue (PAI Newsletter, Issue 73, Fall 2000), we reported that the Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy (OCRA) handled more than 7,476 cases in its first year. In this issue, we can add that OCRA staff also made presentations at some 332 trainings. Nearly 13,000 people attended those trainings. OCRA also investigated 61 formal complaints.Because PAI and OCRA may handle similar problems, people have asked which office they should call. Here are answers to some common questions. When I need help, should I call PAI or OCRA? If you are a regional center client, or need regional center services, your local clients’ rights advocate (CRA) is the first person to call for help. But you may call either OCRA or a PAI office. If one office cannot help you, the staff person you work with will refer you to the other office, or to the organization best able to help you. OCRA’s toll-free number is 1-800-390-7032. What cases can a CRA handle? PAI and OCRA may handle similar problems. The last quarterly advocacy report shows that CRAs handled cases involving the ADA, public benefits, criminal law, debt collection, family law, housing, regional centers, and special education. How do CRAs get results? In each case, the CRA worked with a regional center consumer or other concerned person to reach the best solution for the consumer. For example, by applying the ADA, CRAs got access to a bowling alley for one consumer and to a karate class for another. CRAs also helped consumers appeal denials of public benefits — such as SSI, IHSS, and Medi-Cal without a share of cost. How is a CRA’s work different from a PAI staff attorney’s work? In many ways it is similar. CRAs at each of California’s 21 regional centers work for the consumers who get services there, as well as for those who are applying for services. Some PAI attorneys also advocate for people with developmental disabilities. Both CRAs and PAI attorneys: • Give consumers information, referrals and legal advice; • Represent individual clients in all kinds of proceedings; • Help people advocate for themselves and others; and • Take part in outreach and trainings. How are CRA and PAI attorney services different? Because CRAs are near regional centers, they often know more about local resources. CRAs focus on advocating for individual consumers in a wide range of local problems. PAI attorneys also work with consumers, but they cannot help in as many individual cases or on as many issues as CRAs do. The attorneys more often deal with major litigation (like class actions), legislation, and statewide problems. What are OCRA’s priorities? OCRA’s advisory committee set broad values and priorities for CRAs. Priorities may differ slightly from one regional center to the next. Normally, CRAs can handle a case if it has merit, if the situation relates to the consumer’s developmental disability, and if there are resources available. The major issues CRAs need to consider are: • Appropriate support and services; • Productivity; • Inclusion; • Integration; • Self-determination (especially when applying for generic services and coordinating between generic service agencies); • Eligibility for and access to services under the Lanterman Act; and • Discrimination based on disability. Also, CRAs must respond to priorities set by the regional center and other concerned people in the area each office covers. CRAs give priority to consumers from traditionally under-served communities. What are PAI’s priorities? PAI’s priorities are more specific. With input from the public and the disability community, PAI set up priorities for its work that are part of its Advocacy Services Plan. You may get a copy of PAI’s plan by calling 1-800-776-5746 or by logging on to PAI’s Web site at http://www.pai-ca.org/pubs/502301.htm. |