I.    Education – Children with disabilities receiving or in need of special education services will receive a free appropriate public education. (PADD, PAIMI, PAIR, PAAT, PATBI, PABSS, PAVA)

II.    Community -- Individuals with disabilities will be able to live in the least restrictive environment in the community with appropriate services and supports. (PADD, PAIMI, PAIR, PAAT, PATBI, PABSS, PAVA)

III.    Facilities -- The rights of individuals with disabilities who reside in facilities will be protected.(PADD, PAIMI, PAIR, PAAT, PATBI, PABSS, PAVA)

IV.    Systems Transformation-- Mississippi will make a long term commitment to decrease institution-based services and increase community services for individuals with disabilities. (PADD, PAIMI, PAIR)

V.    Case Management – Individuals with disabilities affected by Hurricane Katrina will make significant progress toward full recovery. (MCMC)

VI.    Information and Referral – Callers will receive prompt and accurate information and referral regarding disability issues and services not directly handled by DRMS. (PADD, PAIMI, PAIR, PAAT, PATBI, PABSS, PAVA)

VII.    Outreach & Training – Individuals with disabilities will increase their knowledge of their rights and the services available from DRMS. PADD, PAIMI, PAIR, PAAT, PATBI, PABSS, PAVA)

A.    Least restrictive environment (LRE) – The rights of students with disabilities to an appropriate education in the least restrictive environment with appropriate services and supports will be protected and advanced. (PADD, PAIMI, PAIR, PAAT, PATBI.)
 
B.    Discipline – The rights of students with disabilities to appropriate practices, procedures and policies with respect to discipline and youth court referrals will be protected and advanced. (PADD, PAIMI, PAIR, PAAT, PATBI)
 
C.    Testing/evaluation -- The rights of students with disabilities to appropriate testing/evaluations will be protected and advanced. (PADD, PAIMI, PAIR, PAAT, PATBI)

D.    Transition-- -- The rights of students with disabilities to effective school and community-based transition services will be protected and advanced. (PADD, PAIMI, PAIR, PAAT, PATBI, PABSS)

E.    Childcare/early intervention services-- -- The rights of children with disabilities to appropriate access to childcare/early intervention services/strategies will be protected and advanced. (PADD, PAIMI, PATBI)

F.    Accessibility -- -- The rights of students with disabilities to school buildings and programs are physically accessible will be protected and advanced. (PADD, PAIR, PATBI, PAAT)

II.    Community (PADD, PAIMI, PAIR, PAAT, PATBI, PABSS, PAVA)

A.    Community Services and Health Care
•    The rights of individuals with disabilities to be free from abuse, neglect and exploitation in community placements will be protected and advanced. (PADD, PAIMI, PAIR, PATBI)
•    The rights of individuals with disabilities to access community based services such as: Medicaid, Medicare, mental health services, medical services, long term care, transportation and home based services will be protected and advanced. (PADD, PAIMI, PAIR, PATBI, PAAT)
•    The rights of individuals with disabilities to full and equal access to public buildings will be protected and advanced. (PADD, PAIR, PATBI, PAAT) 
•    The rights of individuals with disabilities under the Fair Housing Act will be protected and advanced. (PADD, PAIMI, PAIR, PATBI, PAAT)
•    The rights of individuals with disabilities to have access to assistive technology devices and services they need to live in the community will be protected and advanced. (PAAT)
•    The rights of individuals with disabilities to freedom of choice in community based services with be protected and advanced. (PADD, PAIMI, PAIR, PATBI)

B.    Voting
•    The rights of individuals with disabilities to full, equal and confidential access to the voting process will be protected and advanced. (PAVA)
•    Individuals with disabilities will receive advocacy and assistance regarding any complaints they may have with the voting process. (PAVA)

C.    Employment
•    Advocate for individuals with disabilities who are SSDI/SSI beneficiaries and are seeking vocational rehabilitation and employment services by investigating complaints against Vocational Rehabilitation and other employment networks. (PABSS)
•    Advocate on behalf of beneficiaries with disabilities in regard to available services under Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Programs. (PABSS)
•    Advocate on behalf of beneficiaries with disabilities to protect their rights and assist in complaints with SSA. (PABSS)
•    Advocate on behalf of beneficiaries with disabilities to identify and correct deficiencies in entities providing vocational rehabilitation, employment and other support services. (PABSS)
•    The rights of individuals with disabilities to be free from disability –related employment discrimination in hiring practices and reasonable accommodations while employed will be protected and advanced. (PADD, PAIMI, PAIR, PATBI, PAAT, PABSS)

III.    Facilities

A.    Abuse and neglect --  Investigate allegations of abuse and neglect of residents of facilities in which there is a possibility of death or injury.  (PADD, PAIMI, PAIR, PATBI)

B.    Seclusion and restraint-- Investigate and monitor the use of seclusion and restraints in facilities throughout Mississippi. (PADD, PAIMI, PAIR, PATBI)

C.    Rights violations -- Monitor state facilities and investigate allegations of rights violation in facilities. (PADD, PAIMI, PAIR, PATBI)

D.    Voting – The rights individuals with disabilities living in facilities to vote will be protected and advanced.  (PAVA)

E.    Assistive technology – The rights of individuals with disabilities living in facilities to have access to assistive technology as needed will be protected and advanced.  (PAAT)
 
IV.    Systems Transformation

A.    Current system -- Investigate and report on current situation of living/services options for people with disabilities in Mississippi. (PADD, PAIMI, PAIR)

B.    Advocacy for change-- Advocate for changes/support for Mississippi Study group road map. (PADD, PAIMI, PAIR)

C.    Legal Research—Research legal precedents and laws that would support a legal demand for changes to the system, if other methods do not produce results. (PADD, PAIMI, PAIR)

V.    Case Management (MCMC)


Focus Areas:
        1.   Transition to permanent housing -- general. DRMS will ensure that clients of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita with remaining disaster-caused housing needs transition from FEMA supported temporary housing to a permanent and sustainable housing solution.

    2.  Federally subsidized permanent housing. DRMS will also provide disaster case management services to Mississippians currently residing in DHAP funded housing units who are in need of transitioning from the temporary disaster voucher (DHAP) to a long term housing choice voucher (HCV) and to those people living in MEMA cottages who are ineligible for permanent placement through FEMA or HUD.  (start date - TBA)

VI.    Information and Referral (PADD, PAIMI, PAIR, PAAT, PATBI, PABSS, PAVA)

A.    Promptness – All callers will have calls returned promptly and the outcome of the call will be documented. 
B.    Accuracy – An in-house resource database, and links to other sources of disability-related information, will be easily accessible to intake staff and the information will be shared with callers who raise issues for which DRMS does not provide direct assistance.
C.    Documentation – All calls to DRMS requesting information and/or representation will be documented in the DAD database system.

VII.    Outreach & Training
 Individuals with disabilities will increase their knowledge of their rights and the services available from DRMS. PADD, PAIMI, PAIR, PAAT, PATBI, PABSS, PAVA)

Systems Advocacy Projects

I.    Education

Research and take appropriate action to insure that the Mississippi State Department of Education fulfills its responsibility to ensure that local districts uphold the rights of students with disabilities.  
A.    LRE 
File an Individuals with Disabilities Education Act State Complaint with the Mississippi State Department of Education against a school district which has been found to have a disproportionate number of special education students in the alternative school.  50% PADD, 50% PAIMI
B.    Discipline
File an Individuals with Disabilities Education Act State Complaint with the Mississippi State Department of Education against a school district which has been found to have failed to systemically implement appropriate Behavioral Intervention Plans. 70% PAIMI, 30% PADD
C.    Testing/Evaluation
File an Individuals with Disabilities Education Act State Complaint with the Mississippi State Department of Education against a school district yet which has been found to have systemically failed to appropriately implement Response To Interventions. 35% PAIR, 30% PADD, 30% PAIMI
D.    Transition
File an Individuals with Disabilities Education Act State Complaint with the Mississippi State Department of Education against a school district  which has been found to have systemically failed to provide appropriate Transition Services to enable children with disabilities in special education to transition into employment and a life in  the community upon completion of their education. 50% PADD, 40% PAIMI, 10% PAIR
E.    Physical Accessibility
File an Office of Civil Rights Complaint against the Okolona Municipal Separate School District for accessibility violations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. 100% PADD
II.    Community

A.    COMMUNITY SERVICES AND HEALTH CARE

1. Personal Care Homes: Investigate and document the severe allegations of exploitation, abuse and neglect of adults with serious mental illness in “personal care homes”, both licensed and unlicensed, with the purpose of creating a report that will force increased oversight and protection through legislation on behalf of individuals with disabilities consigned to the care of others.  (PAIMI)
2. Assistive Technology:  Become involved legislatively in order to require Medicaid to change their policies and begin to provide electric wheelchairs/scooters to disabled individuals that reside in the community. (PAAT)
3.  Vulnerable Adults: Investigate policies, practices and resources of the Attorney general’s office Vulnerable Adults unit’s effectiveness in protecting adults with DD from abuse, neglect and exploitation.  (PADD)
 B.  VOTING
1. Office of Secretary of State:  Work with policy makers and officials on the state and local level to assist them in meeting the disability-related requirements and goals of HAVA and ADA. (PAVA)
2. Antiquated Language in Voting Statutes:  Work with policy makers at the legislative level to promote more clearly defined voting statutes with person-first, non-offensive language. (PAVA)
C.  Employment
Research employment application processes, policies,  and practices for at least one  major employer; advocate as appropriate to ensure that applicants with disabilities  can apply.  (PADD)

III.    Facilities

A.    Abuse/Neglect
1. Obtain access to the facility's internal investigative reports, initially through negotiations.   (DD,PAIMI,PAIR)
2. Continue efforts to automatically receive all reports of abuse or neglect directly from the Attorney General's office.  (DD,PAIMI)
B.    Restraint/Seclusion
1. Review all seclusion and restraint policies and/or behavior management manuals of DMH, ICF-MR, DHHS, JCAHO and any other relevant agency. (DD,PAIMI,PAIR,PATBI)
2. Seek membership on select facility based Human Rights Committees. (DD,PAIMI,PAIR,PATBI)
3. Monitor the progress of the legislative review and progress of the MS DMH as a result of the PEER study.  (DD,PAIMI)
C.    Monitoring/Rights Violations

1.    Research the use of electro shock therapy in residential treatment facilities by completing a survey of its usage and by sending a letter to all psychiatric facilities concerning this ECT policies.    (PAIMI)
2.    Research and advocate for implementation of SB 2016 minimum standards for holding facilities (jails) that serve individuals with mental illness.  (PAIMI)

D.    Voting
Conduct a survey of nursing homes to research policies regarding election day procedure and client participation.  (PAVA)
E.    Assistive Technology
Assist in the identification of individuals who are living in nursing homes and who can use a power wheelchair, but the purchase has been denied by Medicaid.    (PAAT)
IV.    Systems Transformation
A.  Current system
Investigate and issue report highlighting various life experiences of people who live in facilities, in community with no service, in community with services. Include data on the respective costs to the state of the services provided.  (DD, PAIMI, PAIR)
B.    Advocate for  Change

1.    Communicate concerns to state leaders (DD, PAIMI)

2.    Work with teams of stakeholders to develop and implement strategies to influence adoption.  May include participation on Department of Mental Health Strategic Plan committees.   (DD, PAIMI)

C.    Legal Research

Research possible legal challenges to existing system and share with key state players.   (DD, PAIMI)

Outreach and Training Projects

I.    Education

A.    LRE 
Using Coalitions to Engage in Policy Activities: Active participation in Mississippi Alliance for Progressive Special Education and Building Partnerships
B.    Discipline
Using Coalitions to Engage in Policy Activities: Active participation in Mississippi Alliance for Progressive Special Education and Building Partnerships
C.    Testing/Evaluation
Using Coalitions to Engage in Policy Activities: Active participation in Mississippi Alliance for Progressive Special Education and Building Partnerships
D.    Transition
Using Coalitions to Engage in Policy Activities: Active participation in Building Partnerships, Planning Committee for “My Voice My Choice” and “Healthy Opportunities for Transition”, including providing training for Transition Services regarding Voting Rights and Assistive Technology
V.    Community

A.    COMMUNITY SERVICES AND HEALTH CARE

     Attend and be visible for appropriate community events.
     Co sponsor appropriate, related events and find ways to collaborate with other agencies.
     Have available at all times a web-site that has useful and viable information regarding rights and resources.
     Provide training, technical assistance and education regarding individual rights in personal care homes, club houses,  colleges, universities, and community colleges, & community action agencies.
     Utilize the opportunity of a media campaign to include education regarding rights of individuals with disabilities.
     Develop and distribute informative brochures and materials.
B.  VOTING
     Provide training, technical assistance and education regarding rights related to civic engagement for individuals with disabilities to poll workers, election officials, circuit clerks, service providers,  family members and consumers.
     Provide current information regarding law changes, legislative initiatives, and election dates on the web-site.
     Utilize the opportunity of a media campaign to include education and thought provoking ideas regarding the right to vote for all citizens with disabilities.
     Develop and distribute informative brochures and materials.
     Maintain a good working relationship with the office of the Secretary of State, in particular the elections division, and collaborate with it on outreach efforts.
     Attend and be visible for appropriate community events.
     Co sponsor appropriate, related events and find ways to collaborate with other agencies.
C.  EMPLOYMENT
     Provide technical assistance, training, education and monitoring of all Social Security Offices, WIN Job Centers, Vocational Rehab Offices, state Colleges, Universities,  Community Colleges, and state hospitals.
     Utilize the opportunity of a media campaign to include education regarding employment rights and benefits of individuals with disabilities.
     Development and distribution of informative brochures and materials.
     Co sponsor appropriate, related events and find ways to collaborate with other agencies.
     Have available at all times a web-site that has useful and viable information regarding rights and resources.

III.    Facilities

A.    Abuse/Neglect

As appropriate, DRMS will publicize success stories to the community.   (DD,PAIMI,PAIR,PATBI)

B.    Restraint/Seclusion
As appropriate, DRMS will publicize success stories to the community.   (DD,PAIMI,PAIR, PATBI)
C.    Monitoring/Rights Violations

     DRMS will focus on select facilities this fiscal year.   Staff will concentrate time and energy on serving the clients living in these facilities.
     DRMS will conduct a minimum of 20 monitoring visits to select psychiatric facilities.  (PAIMI)
     DRMS will conduct a minimum of 12 monitoring visits to select facilities serving people with developmental disabilities.    (DD,PAIMI )
     Provide information to jails officials, sheriffs, and the community about the rights of individuals with mental illness in jails and other transitional facilities.   

D.    Voting

DRMS staff will do "right to vote" trainings in twenty facilities this fiscal year.  (PAVA)

IV.    Systems Transformation

A.    Current System

Report findings will be widely distributed within the community and to key leaders.

B.    Advocate for  Change

At least three outreach events will be held to share report and road map and seek grass roots involvement in advocacy efforts towards adoption.

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