|
Hear from COFAR
Voice your opinion
|
|
|
Part One: Advocating Effectively on Behalf of Your Family Members and Wards
Be Pro-Active and Speak Out
Don't be afraid to speak directly to staff people or officials, or to telephone or write letters on behalf of your family member or ward if you feel
there are problems involving his or her care and services.
Don't get stuck in dead-end dialogues with people who aren't doing anything for you. Go up the chain of command.
In a community residence, contact the house director or supervisor and your service coordinator. Your service coordinator is your advocate in
addition to coordinating the services your ward or family member receives.
If the problem is in a state facility, contact the unit director and finally the facility director. If you're not sure who the unit director
is, it is fine to contact the facility director.
If your problem still isn't resolved, contact your service coordinator, DMR area office and, if not resolved, there, the DMR regional director and the Commissioner.
Other contacts in these situations include COFAR and your state representative or state senator. [See our legislator contact box on the Advocacy Guide Home Page.]
Whomever you contact, whether by phone, mail or email, be sure you state your claim clearly and concisely. Try to be factual, not accusatory.
Keep correspondence to one page if possible.
Don't be afraid to pick up the telephone or write:
If you are writing, use certified mail, especially with the DMR. Email is effective as well, but doesn't have the legal impact of certified mail.
Keep documentation
Make every effort to keep good documentation. Be sure you document who you spoke with (aide's name, phone number) and date/time you called.
If you make a phone call, it's a good idea to follow up in writing on your understanding of what transpired, to avoid any misunderstanding and also to have a record.
If abuse has occurred:
Contact the Disabled Persons Protection Commission at www.mass.gov/dppc/. (Link to Additional Resources for further contact information on the DPPC).
The DPPC is unfortunately under-funded. COFAR has long advocated for legislation to transfer the DMR's investigative resources to the DPPC, which is an independent agency.
|
|
 |
|
|