|
Our Services
Advocacy Q&A
What does it mean when The Arc of Aurora says it provides Advocacy?
To The Arc of Aurora, Advocacy is acting with or on behalf of an individual or class in the least intrusive manner to resolve an issue or obtain a needed support or service. Advocacy is essential in maintaining or improving the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities, and is vital in improving and sustaining quality of life for our constituents. Some times The Arc of Aurora can help out by providing some information on how to access a service or by providing a referral to a program. Other times, The Arc of Aurora will assign an Individual Advocate to conduct an intake on the issues to determine what needs to be done.
What does it mean when The Arc of Aurora says it only provides Individual Advocacy support to people with developmental disability?
The Arc of Aurora recognizes that many people with disabilities need advocacy support; however, The Arc of Aurora resources are so limited that Individual Advocacy can only be provided to those individuals who meet the state definition for developmental disability. That definition is as follows:
Persons with a developmental disability are those who have a “disability that is manifested before the person reaches twenty-two years of age, which constitutes a substantial disability to the affected individual, and is attributable to mental retardation or related conditions which include cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, or other neurological conditions when such conditions result in impairment of general intellectual functioning or adaptive behavior similar to that of a person with mental retardation” (CRS 27-10.5-102). For children under five years of age, eligibility is based on determination of either a developmental delay or factors putting the child at risk of having a developmental disability.
How can I get an Individual Advocate?
To get an Individual Advocate you must call The Arc of Aurora’s office at 720.213.1420 and ask to speak to an Individual Advocate. The office only has two Individual Advocates; so, they may not be in the office when you call. The Individual Advocate will ask you some questions about what you need and the type of disability you have. REMEMBER, The Arc of Aurora only is able to help people who live in Aurora and who have a developmental disability. The Arc of Aurora, also, requires that all individuals served pay an annual $40 processing fee. Scholarships and matching funds are available to help out with this expense for those who cannot afford it. Additionally, the annual processing fee is waived for members. Membership is annual fee of $35.00. Please note that although a request for an individual advocate has been made, it may not be possible to provide support at that time based upon caseload and the technicality of the case. However, every effort will be made to provide a referral in those circumstances.
What you can I expect from my Individual Advocate?
The Arc of Aurora’s Individual Advocates are expected to be knowledgeable, trained, and grounded in basic principles respecting the rights and dignity of children and adults with developmental disabilities.
The Arc of Aurora’s Individual Advocates must communicate effectively with the individuals they serve, encouraging them to express and act on their thoughts, choices, and feelings about issues and proposed solutions. The Individual Advocate and the individual must be able to understand each other. The Individual Advocate should exercise great care to ensure that the person with developmental disabilities fully understands the benefits and risks of any decision. In making decisions, the Individual Advocate will encourage the people they serve to consult with the important people in their lives. Individual Advocates have an ethical obligation to represent the desires and needs of the person they represent, regardless of their own personal opinions on the matter.
The Arc of Aurora’s Individual Advocates are expected to return non-emergency phone calls within three working days, unless he or she is on vacation or out of the office for a training.
In certain circumstances, parents and other legal representatives may need to be involved in making decisions with and on behalf of the individual. Individual Advocates must be careful to recognize and set aside their own needs and desires that may conflict with those of the individual they are advocating for. If there is a conflict of interest, the Individual Advocate should withdraw from the decision-making.
What can my Individual Advocate expect from me?
The Arc of Aurora’s Individual Advocates will ask each person served to fill out paperwork to allow to us to get working on your behalf. You will be expected to fill out that paperwork in a timely manner and return it quickly to our office. If you need help filling out that paperwork your Individual Advocate can help you do that as well.
Your Individual Advocate expects that you will communicate with them promptly meeting dates, times, advocacy issues and things that you need help with. We know that sometimes things happen quickly, but the sooner you let your Individual Advocate know the sooner he or she can plan on being there for you. Your Individual Advocate also expects you to be honest with her or him about what is really happening in your life. Your Individual Advocate will keep everything you say confidential, and will only share with others what you ask to be shared.
Your Individual Advocate works for you, and so, should you not be happy with the service you’re getting PLEASE speak-up. We cannot fix the problems you have if we are a part of them! And, if you fire your advocate – then please let her or him know so that we can close your case.
What types of issues do most Individual Advocates help out on?
For the most part your Individual Advocate will try and help you with whatever you need; however, we are not attorneys and do not practice law. Most help requested falls in the area of individual rights and/or quality of life issues.
Updated 5/3/10
|
