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About: Priorities
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Priorities
Iowa P&A Board Adopts
FY2006 Priorities*
The mission of Iowa Protection & Advocacy Services, Inc. (Iowa P&A, Inc.) is to defend and promote the human and legal rights of Iowans who have disabilities and mental illnesses.
Iowa P&A, Inc. focuses its resources on ensuring that Iowans with disabilities receive the necessary supports and services in a safe and humane environment, thereby minimizing the likelihood of abuse or neglect.
Priorities for FY 2006*
EDUCATION
Goal: To advocate for equal and adequate funding ensuring the full provision of educational rights under federal and state law for all students with disabilities.
Objective 1: Iowa P&A will advocate for change involving the inequities related to the Iowa Department of Education funding for educational services at Toledo Juvenile Home, The State Training School for Boys, Cherokee State Mental Health Institute and Independence State Mental Health Institution.
Objective 2: Iowa P&A will ensure a free and appropriate public education for students with serious emotional disturbances.
ABUSE AND NEGLECT
Goal: People with disabilities who require care and treatment in a Medicaid funded facility will not die or be harmed as a result of that care and treatment.
Objective 1: Iowa P&A, through the mental health project, will continue to gather data relating to restraint usage of individuals within the state mental health facilities and will continue to recommend that the Iowa Department of Human Services establish a verifiable database of information on the use of restraints in any institution operated by/or for the State of Iowa for each person, regardless of age, residing in the State of Iowa with a mental health diagnosis/disability.
Objective 2: Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) will properly document all deficiencies when conducting surveys and investigations as well as abide by the standards required by Federal Law.
Objective 3: Iowa P&A will monitor public and private facilities in Iowa and will recommend positive change for individuals with disabilities within those facilities.
Objective 4: Iowa P&A will continue to participate on the Corrections Task Force to advocate for positive changes for Iowans with disabilities who are incarcerated.
Objective 5: The State of Iowa will pass “Tanner’s Law” which will ban the use of prone restraints on children within facilities licensed by the State of Iowa.
Objective 6: Iowa P&A will investigate any suspicious death in a public or private facility.
COMMUNITY INTEGRATION
Goal: Iowans with disabilities will receive the necessary supports and services to live successfully in the least restrictive community based setting possible.
Objective 1: In accordance with the Conner Consent Decree, the settlement agreement between the Department of Justice and the State Resources Centers, as well as the United States Supreme Court Olmstead decision, Iowa’s two state DD institutions (Woodward and Glenwood) will implement comprehensive “transition to community living” training for all residents.
Objective 2: Iowa P&A will advocate for persons with a disability who are institutionalized or threatened with being institutionalized to receive services in the least restrictive environment.
Objective 3: People living in the community who have been involuntarily discharged or who have had their services reduced, will have services reinstated with the appropriate supports and staff.
Objective 4: Iowa P&A will advocate for the expansion of the current mental health parity laws in the state of Iowa.
Objective 5: Iowa P&A will research and document trends regarding waiting lists for state waiver services.
Objective 6: Iowa P&A will research and document the inequities between the counties regarding the consumer’s right to appeal the decision of involuntary mental health commitment if the initial hearing was decided by a Mental Health Referee or Magistrate versus a District Court Judge or a District Court Associate Judge.
Objective 7: Iowa P&A will conduct a review and oversight of County Plans to ensure compliance regarding a consumer’s right to a fair appeal process.
HOUSING
Goal: Housing rights for Iowans with disabilities will be protected.
Objective 1: Iowa P&A will network with organizations that provide direct assistance relating to housing issues for individuals with disabilities.
Objective 2: Iowa P&A will review Section 8 housing procedures and will provide oversight regarding inspection schedules and regulations for maintenance compliance.
Objective 3: Iowa P&A will create and distribute a survey to evaluate whether new construction is accessible for chair users.
Objective 4: Iowa P&A will advocate for resolution in landlord/tenant disputes.
Objective 5: Iowa P&A will advocate for people with disabilities to receive adequate and affordable housing.
P&A FOR BENEFICIARIES OF SOCIAL SECURITY PABSS**
Goal: Iowans with disabilities, who are qualified under and meet the criteria for the Ticket to Work Incentives Improvement Act, will become educated about and receive individual services through Iowa P&A for Beneficiaries of Social Security program.
Objective 1: Iowa P&A will investigate and review any complaint of improper or inadequate services provided to a beneficiary by a service provider, employer or other entity involved in the beneficiary’s return to work effort.
Objective 2: Iowa P&A will provide information and referrals to beneficiaries with disabilities about work incentives and employment, including options that are available regarding services to assist them in securing, maintaining, or regaining employment.
Objective 3: Iowa P&A will provide consultation to and legal representation on behalf of beneficiaries when such services become necessary to protect the rights of the beneficiaries.
Objective 4: Iowa P&A will assist beneficiaries to pursue the waiver option or reconsideration of an overpayment due to employment activity.
Objective 5: Iowa P&A will provide public information and outreach, with a focus on rural and minority populations.
**The PABSS priority is effective 12/1/2005 – 11/30/2006.
P&A FOR VOTER ACCESS (PAVA)
Goal: Students and adults with disabilities will receive education and training on the electoral process, will register to vote, and will cast their votes during local, state, and federal elections.
Objective 1: Iowa P&A will continue working with the Iowa Secretary of State, the Iowa HAVA Committee, the Developmental Disabilities Council and the Independent Living Centers to provide information and training to people with disabilities.
Objective 2: Iowa P&A will continue to disseminate voter registration forms and requests for absentee ballots.
Objective 3: Iowa P&A will designate polling sites in the state to conduct Poll Access Surveys.
Objective 4: Iowa P&A will provide voter trainings to individuals living with disabilities residing in facilities or community based living programs throughout the state.
Objective 5: Iowa P&A will work in collaboration with the Secretary of State’s office in evaluating polling sites for accessibility issues.
Objective 6: Iowa P&A will provide information to the county Auditors regarding accessibility issues to polling sites in the state of Iowa.
P&A FOR PERSONS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (PATBI)
Goal: To identify people with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and advocate for
people with TBI.
Objective 1: Iowa P&A will enhance access to Iowa military service veterans
and personnel, information, supports, and services necessary for survivors of
TBI and their families.
Objective 2: Iowa P&A will identify Iowans living with TBI and advocate
for those people living with TBI.
Objective 3: Iowa P&A PATBI Coordinator, as a stakeholder in the BI State Plan, will work with the Iowa Department of Public Health in drafting the Iowa State Plan for Brain Injuries 2006-2010.
OUTREACH/TRAINING
Goal: To promote adequate outreach to Iowans with disabilities and to provide
training to those individuals who have direct contact with them.
Objective 1: Iowa P&A will provide Iowans, through internet access, the
ability to provide feedback on services they receive.
Objective 2: Iowa P&A will provide public information and outreach to rural and minority populations in Iowa.
Objective 3: Iowa P&A will create and implement self-advocacy resources for individuals with disabilities which will enable them to conduct public sensitivity training.
Objective 4: Educators in the regular classroom will have the appropriate training
and motivation to collaborate with special educators, necessary professionals
and the parents/guardians of children with disabilities.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
Goal: To promote and utilize the Americans with Disabilities Act on behalf
of
Iowans with disabilities who are discriminated against in housing and employment.
Objective 1: Iowa P&A will monitor and identify complaints regarding individual housing rights and/or issues.
Objective 2: Iowa P&A will advocate, represent, and protect the rights of individuals with disabilities who are discriminated against in obtaining employment.
Objective 3: Iowa P&A will represent individuals with disabilities regarding their rights as employees.
Objective 4: Iowa P&A will advocate, represent, and protect the rights of individuals with disabilities who have been discriminatorily discharged from their employment.
*Adopted by Iowa Protection and Advocacy Services, Inc. Board of Directors:
September 17, 2005.
Tel: (515) 278-2502 Toll Free (800) 779-2502 Fax: (515) 278-0539
TTY: (515) 278-0571 TTY Toll Free: (866) 483-3342
Location: 950 Office Park Rd., Suite 221, West Des Moines, Iowa 50265 Email:
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