Advocacy Services provides advocacy and advocacy related case management for adults with disabilities, so that their lives may be as independent and enriched as possible. Advocacy Services is designed to provide customized advocacy that helps individuals with disabilities plan for their future while collaborating with their family and financial representative(s). Advocacy Services takes over the role as the advocate when the parents are no longer able to advocate on behalf of their respective son/daughter.
After several years of collaboration by a group of dedicated individuals, and with the guidance of Vista Vocational & Life Skills Center leadership team, a service was developed in response to the parents of adults with neurological disabilities concerns. Families work hard to create a well rounded program of supports for their adult child with disabilities. They watch out for the best interests of their respective son/ daughter, but the worry still remains…..
“What will happen to my adult child after I am gone?”
Advocacy Services was developed to help answer this concern. A team based approach assures that the multiple facets of the individual’s life and support system can be monitored. Advocacy Services will provide an advocate who will oversee the programs and services that are supporting the individual with disabilities. This is a person-centered model that will ensure that appropriate services are in place and will continue to monitor their effectiveness as the adult ages. Regular reviews will be conducted in order to maintain or improve programming as needed.
Together with the appointed family and financial representatives the advocate will focus on the needs and wishes of the individual. Advocacy Services will also provide indispensable assistance to the trustee so that the trustee may fulfill its fiduciary duty to the trust beneficiary and give effect to the highest desires of those who created the trust for their loved one with disabilities.
A few of the important services that Advocacy Services offers include:
- Direct counseling with the trust beneficiary.
- On-site observation of the supports and environment of the beneficiary.
- Investigation of available programs and services relevant to the disability.
- Consultation with professionals and other service providers.
- Regular written review of the beneficiary’s services and supports.