Office of Clients Rights Advocacy begins to take shape

A state-wide clients rights advocacy office for regional center consumers will soon become a reality. The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and PAI are entering into a contract that will make each regional centers clients rights advocate (CRA) a PAI employee.

Contract will avoid potential conflict of interest

The contract is a result of legislation passed last year. That legislation sought to avoid the potential conflict of interest, or the appearance of a conflict of interest, arising from the fact that each regional center employed its own CRA. Legislation passed in August 1998 allows DDS to enter into a similar contract with the Area Boards for clients rights advocacy services at state developmental centers.

Headquarters will be in Sacramento

The new Office of Clients Rights Advocacy (OCRA) will have its headquarters in Sacramento. OCRA hopes to have each regional centers advocate stationed at the regional center. A Memorandum of Understanding between PAI and each regional center will set out the exact method of providing services at that regional center. In addition, each advocate will have an intake coordinator/assistant to provide support. Under the contract, CRA staff will provide information and referrals, represent or provide technical assistance to consumers in administrative hearings, and respond to complaints.

 "The excitement and energy around this project are enormous.
We look forward to having consumers and their families
join us in this wide-ranging project."

OCRA seeks advisory board members

To help in directing the way it meets the needs of the community it serves, OCRA is establishing a five- to seven-member advisory board. Advisory board members will be regional center consumers and family members. "The excitement and energy around this project are enormous," says Interim Director Jeanne Molineaux. "We look forward to having consumers and their families join us in this wide-ranging project."

If you would like to help OCRA get off to a good start, please apply for membership on the advisory board. OCRA will pay costs related to advisory board membership, including travel costs. PAI's board of directors will select advisory board members. For information and an application, call OCRA at (916) 488-9955.

Current CRAs are still helping consumers

PAI will begin hiring OCRA staff early next year, and expects to have CRAs in place by June 1, 1999. Until then, you should direct advocacy questions to current advocates at each regional center. If you have questions about PAI's OCRA, you can direct them to Jeanne Molineaux at (916) 488-9955.