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(for Goals from previous years, click 2003-2004, 2002-2003)
Approved by the Board of Directors, Friday, October 22, 2004
The mission of the Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, Inc., is to advance the dignity, equality, self-determination, and expressed choices of individuals with disabilities. The Center promotes, expands, protects and seeks to ensure the human and legal rights of individuals through the provision of information and advocacy. The Center will carry out this mission in partnership with individuals with disabilities.
Service may be delivered through a variety of means including case investigation, negotiation or mediation on the individual's behalf, and administrative and legislative advocacy. When determined to be appropriate by the Executive Director, individuals may also receive legal services, including advice, counseling, and individual case representation. A decision to provide class representation may be provided only with the consent of the Board of Directors. However, prior to the use of litigation as a strategy, the Center will seek first to use alternative means of dispute resolution.
The Board of Director's adopted Goals will constitute the primary factor in deciding whether or not to provide more than information and referral; however, other elements may also be considered. These elements include: (a) the relative likelihood of success; (b) the urgency of a particular matter and likely consequences for the individual; (c) the resources required to provide high quality representation, balanced with the resources available to the Center; (d) the availability of alternative advocacy resources in the community, including the capacity of the individual for self-advocacy; and (e) the impact that resolution of a particular matter will have upon the eligible community.
This statement of goals will provide guidance in the acceptance of cases and the allocation of Center resources. This statement, however, should not be regarded as inflexible. Each individual's case must be evaluated based upon its own unique circumstances. New issues affecting the lives of individuals with disabilities often arise and must be evaluated in the context of existing priorities. The goals include flexibility to respond to consumers and consumer organizations throughout the fiscal year, based upon need and availability of program resources.
The Goals for the Advocacy Center for 2004-2005 are organized into the following focus areas, which are not listed in order of priority:
1. Conditions in Institutional Facilities
2. Access to Publicly-Funded Services and Community Supports
3. Education
4. Employment
5. Self-Determination
6. Outreach and Public Education
7. Information and Referral
1. Ensuring Florida’s compliance with the settlement agreement in Brown v. Bush with emphasis on Florida’s implementation of educational programs for individuals, guardians, parents and staff, improved discharge planning processes, increased placements of individuals from publicly operated facilities to the community, and plans for the closure of the Gulf Coast Center.
2. Improving the State of Florida's quality assurance programs and health and safety protection programs as they relate to individuals with developmental disabilities and their rights to be free from abuse and neglect.
1. Investigating and responding to reports alleging that abuse or neglect has occurred and/or regarding conditions that could lead to abuse and neglect that may result in serious injury or death. Priority for service will be given to service requests, as follows: Suspicious Death, Seclusion or Restraint, Abuse and Neglect presenting eminent threat of harm, and allegations of Sexual Misconduct.
2. Investigating and responding to reports alleging that access to appropriate treatment has been denied, or curtailed.
3. Increasing and improving access to meaningful dispute resolution forums, including Florida’s complaint resolution, mediation, and due process systems, by responding to reports alleging that the civil, legal, or human rights of persons with mental illnesses have been violated.
4. Investigating the interface between the Crisis Stabilization of juveniles and other relevant systems, e.g., child welfare, juvenile justice; school system, in order to identify systemic issues requiring advocacy during FY 05-06.
5. Investigating the commitment of individuals whose primary diagnosis is Traumatic Brain Disorder, jointly with PATBI, and taking appropriate action to promote more appropriate treatment systems, while making limited beds more available to persons with serious mental illnesses.
6. Facilitating appropriate cross-referrals (e.g., to the Department of Children and Families (DCF), or the Local Advocacy Councils (LACs), by increasing collaboration with appropriate state and local entities responsible for adult and child protective investigative systems.
1. Developing strategies to improve access to community living through alternatives to restrictive environments, such as nursing homes and ALFs, as well as individuals’ rights within these facilities and better access to affordable accessible housing. These activities will be conducted in conjunction with federal, state, and community partners through legislative, systemic and individual advocacy.
1. Gathering basic statistical data on the numbers of individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries living in institutional facilities, such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, psychiatric and correctional institutions, for use in assessing needs and assessing the adequacy and appropriateness of services and placements. The information will help to set the Center’s priorities for future years.
1. Providing Systemic relief in the appeals process to individuals with disabilities of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), and Division of Blind Services (DBS) by pursuing violations of federal due process rights.
1. Promoting the adoption of a Medicaid buy-in for Social Security beneficiaries wishing to return to work without losing medical benefits.
2. Monitoring the effectiveness of the Florida Freedom Initiative. This is a limited demonstration project that allows SSI recipients to maintain SSI and Medicaid benefits with higher earnings and assets.
1. Increasing and improving access to healthcare, mental health services, positive behavior supports, dentistry transportation, assistive technology, and other essential home and community-based services and supports that are or should be provided by Florida's Medicaid, Children's Medical Services (CMS), Early, Periodic, Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT), Child Protective Services (CPS) programs, Children’s Mental Health (CMH) programs, and Medicaid waiver programs, to meet the needs of people with developmental disabilities.
2. Increasing access to home and community-based services to meet the needs of all people with developmental disabilities, including newly identified individuals, individuals exiting the school system, and individuals transitioning from institution to community.
3. Improving the State of Florida's quality assurance programs and health and safety protection programs as they relate to individuals with developmental disabilities and their rights to be free from abuse and neglect.
1. Investigating and responding to reports alleging that abuse or neglect has occurred and/or regarding conditions that could lead to abuse and neglect that may result in serious injury or death. Priority for service will be given to service requests, as follows: Suspicious death, Seclusion or Restraint, Abuse and Neglect presenting eminent threat of harm, allegations of Sexual Misconduct, as resources allow.
2. Investigating and responding to reports alleging that access to appropriate treatment and supports has been denied, or curtailed.
3. Increasing and improving access to meaningful dispute resolution forums, including Florida’s complaint resolution, mediation, and due process systems, by responding to reports alleging that the civil, legal, or human rights of persons with mental illnesses have been violated.
4. Promoting the equitable distribution and development of statewide appropriate community-based treatment and/or support services through the pursuit of Medicaid Reform and other systemic and legislative advocacy efforts (e.g., enhanced Medicaid coverage for mental health & substance abuse treatment; promotion of funding for the Indigent Drug Program; promotion of open drug formularies and access to the most effective medications).
5. Promoting the adoption of best practices and the encouragement of stronger, more respectful alliances with individuals receiving services, by supporting the attendance of public mental health professionals otherwise unable to attend at conferences and workshops.
6. Promoting the availability of safe, affordable, and accessible housing for individuals with disabilities, taking the lead on behalf of the Advocacy Center in related forums.
1. Increasing access to services by addressing Title II and Title III Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complaints and Medicaid/Medicare issues.
2. Improving access to transportation systems including rights and choices under Title II and Title III of the ADA as well as the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2003. These activities will be conducted in conj unction with federal, state, and community partners through legislative, systemic and individual advocacy.
1. Assessing needs and service delivery to help set the Center’s priorities for future years.
2. Improving access to the Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Medicaid Waiver Program for Home and Community Based Health Care Services.
3. Assessing the adequacy of Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Medicaid Waiver Program for Home and Community Based Health Care Services, and advocating actively for any needed improvement.
1. Ensuring that election officials in the State of Florida comply with provisions of the Help America Vote Act and other laws related to providing access to voting for persons with disabilities.
1. Increasing access to Medicaid funded assistive technology, training, and support services by focusing on children’s’ entitlements to Medicaid services under § 1905(r) of the Social Security Act, including but not limited to durable medical equipment, EPSDT, and uniform Children’s Multidisciplinary Assessment Teams (CMATs).
2. Increasing the number of individuals with developmental disabilities receiving appropriate assistive technology (AT), AT devices, and support services that need it under waivers and in community living.
1. Promoting transition of students to DVR/DBS by facilitating completed applications, and conducting regional site visits to Florida High Schools.
1. Promoting the availability of benefits planning services and vocational rehabilitation services for Social Security beneficiaries as part of transition planning and services to support desired post-school outcomes and opportunities.
1. Increasing access to and participation in quality instruction, general curriculum (Sunshine State Standards), and/or integrated environments in public schools, including access and participation for students placed in hospital or homebound settings or who have been out of school for an extended period.
2. Increasing and improving access to public school extended school year (ESY) services.
3. Increasing and improving public school transition plans, services and service coordination with special emphasis on promoting outcomes that ensure individuals a source of private income after graduation through employment, self-employment, or business ownership.
4. Increasing and improving access to communication-related services and/or assistive technology devices and services provided to public school students.
5. Increasing and improving access to the positive behavior support process including person-centered planning, team collaboration, and functional behavioral assessment for public school students in inclusive settings as well as in segregated settings and reducing incidents of seclusion, restraint, inappropriate discipline, suspension and expulsion.
6. Improving the health and safety protection programs as they relate to public schools and student’s rights to be free from abuse and neglect.
7. Increasing access to sexual misconduct and harassment prevention education for public school students.
8. Promoting greater inclusion of public school students in statewide accountability and assessment programs including the FCAT, the A + Program, and the No Child Left Behind accountability system; promoting increased access to accommodations during assessments such as the FCAT; promoting the development of alternate assessments leading to a standard diploma; and advocating for the removal of barriers to post-school opportunities in education and employment.
9. Increasing and improving student and parent access to meaningful dispute resolution forums including Florida's complaint resolution, mediation, and due process systems, particularly with regard to the substantive issues listed above.
1. Exploring with PADD the use of seclusion and restraint in public schools, and taking steps to encourage indicated systemic reform.
1. Improving the quality of educational services and supports to students under IDEA, Section 504 plans (reasonable accommodations for students), including students’ rights to transition planning and services. These activities will be conducted in conjunction with federal, state, and community partners through legislative, systemic and individual advocacy.
2. Increasing reasonable accommodations under IDEA, Section 504 and other applicable federal/state laws in high stakes testing.
1. Increasing access to transition services.
2. Assuring that rights under IDEA and Section 504 are protected for children and adolescents with Traumatic Brain Injuries.
3. Reporting on the provision of educational supports and services to children and adolescents with Traumatic Brain Injuries.
1. Promoting voter registration and voting rights education as an element of transition planning and services to support desired post-school outcomes and opportunities.
1. Increasing access to information technology/assistive technology, training and support services through legislative and systemic advocacy. TAP will also focus on AT regarding the provision of transition services within the school curriculum, high stakes testing under IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Title II of the ADA, No Child Left Behind, and the Assistive Technology Act by working in partnership with federal, state and community partners.
1. Developing an employment resource fact-sheet to include employers with success and retention in hiring persons with disabilities. The fact-sheet will also include data regarding microenterprises, small businesses, and industry outlook on popular jobs.
2. Co-sponsoring an Employment Summit or Conference to advise applicants of DVR/DBS and CILS about the available services under these programs, and the available services provided by CAP.
3. Designing an employment success publication or video for distribution.
1. Increasing the quality and effectiveness of services to Social Security beneficiaries under the Ticket to Work program by monitoring and assessing the effectiveness of Ticket program management, and the service delivery performance by Employment Networks (including the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Division of Blind Services).
2. Increasing the number of Social Security eligible individuals being served by the Employment Networks (including the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Division of Blind Services) under the Ticket to Work program and related work incentives.
3. Increasing and improving access to employment opportunities for Social Security beneficiaries, including part-time employment, telecommuting, supported employment, self-employment and home-based businesses.
1. Increasing and improving access to employment opportunities, including supported employment and self-employment. This will be done in collaboration with TAP, CAP, and PABSS programs.
2. Replacing Florida’s reliance on segregated adult day programs with opportunities for individuals to pursue integrated work and/or educational activities.
1. Increasing employment opportunities for individuals with psychiatric disabilities, to include promoting the creation / expansion of Peer-Run service initiatives in the public behavioral health care system.
2. Actively promoting and supporting the activities of other Center programs regarding the Ticket to Work program, Medicaid Buy-In, and other related work incentives.
1. Promoting (in conjunction with PABSS) collaboration with Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach (BPAO) organizations under the Ticket to Work legislation, to secure benefits planning services for Social Security beneficiaries with Traumatic Brain Injuries.
2. Increasing the availability of vocational services for persons with Traumatic Brain Injuries provided by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Division of Blind Services, as well as the Employment Networks under the Ticket to Work.
3. Promoting the adoption of a Medicaid buy-in in Florida. This will be done in collaboration with PAIMI, PABSS and CAP.
4. Increasing and improving access to employment opportunities for persons with Traumatic Brain Injuries, including part-time employment, telecommuting, supported employment, self-employment and home-based businesses.
1. Increasing access to assistive technology, training and support services to prepare and/or engage in employment under Title I and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Title I of the ADA, Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, and Assistance Technology Act. T AP will produce and distribute a fact sheet to inform the public generally about the laws and regulations. These activities will be conducted in conjunction with federal, state, and community partners through legislative and systemic advocacy.
1. Increasing collaborative efforts to ensure that Florida's Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach (BPAO) organizations fully inform potential clients of the individual's options and rights to enable the individual to be empowered to make informed choices and decisions.
1. Increasing access to person centered planning, self-determination, and alternatives to guardianship and guardian advocacy.
2. Ensuring that adequate legal protections are afforded to persons during and after the appointment of a guardian or guardian advocate.
3. Increasing access to sexuality training and education and other sexual misconduct and harassment prevention programs for individuals with developmental disabilities.
1. Promoting the development of a stronger self-advocacy movement among adults with psychiatric diagnoses.
2. Educating legislators and policymakers about Involuntary Outpatient Commitment, and promoting dialogue on this issue among stakeholders.
1. Promoting self-determination in the area of employment, and employment related services and supports. PATBI, through collaboration with PABSS and regional BPAOs will secure benefits planning services for individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries, in order that the individuals may be fully informed of their options and are empowered to make informed choices and decisions about employment .
1. Promoting collaboration with interested organizations to inform persons with disabilities of their rights under the Help America Vote Act and other laws, and to encourage persons with disabilities to register and to vote.
1. Increasing the number of individuals served by the Advocacy Center from under-served or previously unserved populations through outreach activities about the Advocacy Center's programs, services, and legal authority. Each program will increase outreach through Spanish, other languages and accessible formats.
2. Increasing policy-maker awareness of the impact of their decisions on the lives of individuals with disabilities including but not limited to legislative and systemic advocacy. PAIMI will place special emphasis on educating Legislators, Judges, and members of the Florida Bar about mental illnesses and the special needs of individuals who have them.
1. Developing or further refining packets of information and fact sheets to provide information and referral for self-advocacy regarding disability issues that do not become cases.
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Si su idioma primario es español, la ayuda está disponible en 1-800-350-4566.
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