Iowa Protection and Advocacy Services, Inc. (Iowa P&A) is a private, independent, non-profit statewide corporation designated by the Governor but not affiliated with any government entity or service provider. Its goals are to ensure the basic human and civil rights of people with disabilities and mental illnesses. Since 1984, the agency has served as Iowa's protection and advocacy system, pursuant to federal law enacted in 1975.

Iowa P&A offers many services, including advice, self-advocacy assistance, negotiations and, when necessary, legal representation. The agency attempts to resolve issues at the lowest level, whenever possible, through the provision of:

· information on the rights of persons with disabilities and referrals to other agencies in the state;

· short-term advocacy assistance;

· technical assistance to professionals and individuals with disabilities;

· investigation of complaints from individuals with disabilities if the request meets the agency priorities for
  the fiscal year;

· extensive training and education in terms of arranging in-service training, workshops and presentations
  on Iowa P&A's services and other disability-related topics;

· systems advocacy, which encompasses monitoring state and national legislation and the rule- and
  policy-making of agencies that influence services for people with disabilities.

Pursuant to its designation as the state's protection and advocacy system, Iowa P&A has broad investigative authority granted to it by federal and state law. The agency can access records, residents, and staff to investigate complaints of alleged abuse or neglect of persons with disabilities. There are seven programs operated by Iowa P&A. They focus on developmental disabilities (PADD), mental illnesses (PAIMI), issues which are non-PADD and non-PAIMI eligible (Individual Rights/PAIR), Ticket to Work issues (PABSS), voter accessibility and training (PAVA), traumatic brain injuries (PATBI), and assistive technology (AT).

In addition to these programs, Iowa P&A participates in the following projects:

· Iowa Developmental Disability Network

· Iowa Law Enforcement Academy disability awareness training

· Iowa Department of Corrections Task Force

· Olmstead Real Choices Task Force

· Lt. Governor’s Housing Initiative

· Key Coalition

· Mental Health Planning Council

· Children’s Mental Health Roundtable

· Sponsor of the State Mental Health Conference

· Special Education Advisory Panel

· Brain Injury Resources Network

· Traumatic Brain Injury Task Force

· Building Bridges at the Iowa State Fair

· Latino Festival in Des Moines