Organizations Dedicated to Helping You

DDS

DDS is the agency through which the State of California provides services and supports to children and adults with developmental disabilities. These disabilities include mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and related conditions.

DDS Home: http://www.dds.ca.gov/

Area IX Board

The State Council on Developmental Services funds thirteen local state agencies called area boards including Area Board IX. The Area Board includes members appointed by the Governor and the local board of Supervisors. Responsibilities involve protecting the civil and service rights of citizens with developmental disabilities, providing public information and education and monitoring the policies and practices of publicly funded agencies.

For assistance from Area Board IX, 805. 685.8395 or e-mail abix@concentric.net

Clients' Rights Advocacy

Advocacy efforts protect the civil, legal and service rights of persons with developmental disabilities.

Purpose

To make sure that persons with developmental disabilities have the same legal rights and responsibilities given all other individuals by the United States Constitution and laws and the Constitution and laws of the State of California.

What to expect from the regional center

Advocacy for, and protection of, the civil, legal, and service rights of persons with developmental disabilities.

Information about advocacy services available through the local Area Board and the Protection and Advocacy agency and the regional center consumer advocate.
Information about the complaint and appeal processes.

Your rights

To treatment and habilitation supports and services in the least restrictive environment.

To dignity, privacy, and humane care.
To participate in an appropriate program of publicly supported education, regardless of severity of disability.
To prompt medical care and treatment.
To religious freedom and practice.
To social interaction and participation in community activities.
To physical exercise and recreational activities.
To be free from harm, including unnecessary physical restraint or isolation, excessive medication, abuse or neglect.
To be free from hazardous procedures.
To make choices in your own life.

Office of Clients' Rights Advocacy

The Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy (OCRA) is a state-wide office run by Protection & Advocacy, Inc., through a contract with the California Department of Developmental Services. OCRA employs a Clients’ Rights Advocate(CRA) at each regional center. The CRA is a person trained to help protect the rights of people with developmental disabilities.

Who can get clients’ rights advocacy services?

Any person with a disability, family member, or interested person may ask a CRA about the rights of a person with a developmental disability. The CRA will answer your question or refer you to another resource.

Your Clients’ Rights Advocate:

Can consult with and help people who have developmental disabilities and their families get services.
Can directly represent people with developmental disabilities in administrative hearings.
Can provide training about rights to consumers, their families, regional center service providers, and interested community groups.
Can investigate complaints about the denial of any right to which a consumer is entitled, if the complaint involves a facility.
Can assure compliance with the law involving denial of rights in a facility.

What service issues/agencies can my CRA help me with?

Schools, Social Security, Medi-Cal, Neglect, Rehabilitation, Mental Health Discrimination, Regional Centers, In-Home Services, Private Insurance, Guardianship, Abuse, Day Care, Criminal Matters, Personal Autonomy, Conservatorship and Alternatives, Other miscellaneous areas of law

If you have a complaint against any service agency, including the regional center or public schools, and would like advice and consultation, telephone TCRC Clients' Rights Advocate Katherine Mottarella at (805) 884-7218 or e-mail Katherine@pai-ca.org

Tri-Counties Regional Center

Legislative Partners in Serving the Community