CAP CHAT

1
CAP CHAT

• Anne M. Robertson
• Staff Attorney
• Client Assistance Project, Minnesota Disability
  Law Center
• June 2014

2
CAP and PABSS Advocacy in Minnesota

• The Client Assistance Project (CAP) and
  Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of
  Social Security (PABSS) are two of several
  advocacy programs at the Minnesota Disability Law
  Center.
• In 2012 the Social Security Administration ended
  the PABSS program but re-funded it in 2013.
• MDLC is the designated protection and advocacy
  system for people with disabilities in the state
  of Minnesota

3
How does MDLC accomplish our mission?

• We work to promote, expand and protect the human
  and legal rights of persons with disabilities
  through the provision of information, training,
  advocacy and legal representation
• We receive federal funds for this purpose
• Services are provided at no cost to individuals
  and there are no income guidelines

4
Current Priorities at MDLC

• Abuse and Neglect
• Self-Determination
• Community-Based Services, Supports and Health
  Care
• Accessibility and Discrimination
• Special Education
• Employment

5
How are we different from other advocacy
organizations?

• We are a legal office, affiliated with
  Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
• Our staff members are lawyers and advocates
• We screen cases for merit and fit with our
  priorities
• We are statewide

6
MDLCs Employment Group

• CAP, since 1991, serves persons with disabilities
  encountering problems with vocational
  rehabilitation.
• PABSS serves Social Security beneficiaries
  encountering barriers to work.

7
Employment Group Staff Members(Dan Stewart,
Supervisor)

• Anne Robertson Minneapolis
• Janna Peterson NW Minnesota
• Rochelle Roehrich Minneapolis
• Dalaine Remes SW Minnesota

8
What does CAP do?

• We help consumers having difficulty accessing
  services from Minnesota VR Agencies and their
  service partners
• Rehabilitation Services (general)
• State Services for the Blind (blind, visually
  impaired, and deaf/blind)
• Community Rehabilitation Programs
• Independent Living Programs

9
What Services Can CAP Offer?

• Advocate with VR counselors over the phone or at
  meetings
• Review VR eligibility determinations and
  Employment Plans
• Advise clients of rights and services available
  under the federal Rehabilitation Act
• Represent clients in mediation and, if legal
  merit exists, VR administrative appeals process

10
What Doesnt CAP Do?

• CAP does not provide direct VR services, such as
  education, training or equipment
• CAP does not handle most legal issues unrelated
  to vocational rehabilitation (i.e., employment
  discrimination, housing, other benefits, family
  law, criminal law)

11
CAP Stats

• In FY 2013 CAP provided in total
• individual advocacy to 123 clients
• information and referral to 29 consumers
• Technical assistance to 12 professionals/VR
  service providers/advocates in the community and
• outreach and training to 510 people

12
Who CAP Served in 2013

• Significant numbers of CAP clients served in 2013
  were
• White (67), Nonwhite or undisclosed (33 )
• Persons with mental illness (25)
• Persons with orthopedic impairments (13)
• Blind or visually impaired (12)
• Persons with learning disabilities (7)
• Persons with TBI (6)
• Persons with developmental/intellectual
  disabilities (11)

13
How did we help VR consumers?

• Majority of CAP cases resolved with informal
  advocacy (phone calls meetings with VR staff)
• In 2013, CAP was involved in
• 1 Administrative Review
• 1 Mediation
• 1 Formal Administrative Hearing Process

14
CAP Community Outreach and Involvement

• FY2013 16 outreach/training events to 510
  people
• Substantial outreach to underserved/underrepresent
  ed communities
• American Indian
• Immigrant communities of color
• transition-aged students

15
CAP Ongoing Community Involvement

• CAP staff members actively serve on SRC, the
  internal VRS Policy Committee, the State Rehab.
  Council for the Blind, the State Special
  Education Advisory Panel, as well as a task force
  re Ex-Offenders with disabilities.

16
CAP Systemic Advocacy

• In FY2013, CAP worked on several systemic issues,
  including
• Reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act
• Segregated Employment
• Olmstead Planning

17
Whats Cookin at CAP?

• Increasing Supported Employment opportunities and
  reducing reliance on sheltered workshops for the
  most severely disabled Minnesotans
• Improving services to transition students in
  Minnesota
• Helping consumers request exceptions to VRS and
  SSB rules and policies when appropriate

18
Want More CAP CHAT?

• Call
• Anne Robertson [phone]

19
New Client Intake Contact Information

• New clients should call
• Twin Cities [phone]
• TDD 332-4668
• Greater Minnesota [phone]
• Client should ask for Disability Law Centers
  New Client Intake

20
More Information

• Check out our website!
• www.mnlegalservices.org/mdlc
• Access CAP Annual Reports at
  http//rsa.ed.gov/
• click Reports, About your state,
  Minnesota, View Information, CAP