Program areas at DRA
Protection and advocacy for developmental disabilities (padd) program serves individuals with developmental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and neurological impairments. A developmental Disability is a mental or physical impairment beginning before the age of 22 which is likely to continue indefinitely, limits certain major life activities, and reflects a need for special care, treatment, and/or individualized planning. Cases/projects within padd include - special education, monitoring, abuse/neglect/exploitation, guardianship, and medicaid appeals.
Strengthening protection for social security beneficiaries, also known as the representative payee program, serves individuals with disabilities whose social security benefits are managed by a representative payee. Dra coordinates with the social security administration to conduct periodic onsite reviews as well as additional discretionary reviews to determine whether a representative payee is performing their duties in keeping a beneficiary safe and ensuring their needs are being met.
Protection and advocacy for individuals with mental illness (paimi) program serves individuals with a diagnosis of serious mental illness. Paimi prioritizes services to individuals receiving care and treatment in a facility and has a mandate to investigate complaints of neglect and abuse. Cases/projects within paimi include - monitoring, abuse/neglect/exploitation, special education, employment, and medicaid appeals.