Messagefromtheexecutive Director

AnnualReport2010

“ProtectingtheRightsofPersonsWithDisabilities”

MessageFromtheExecutive Director

TheYear2010inReview

spredictedatthecloseoflastyear,2010 broughtunprecedentedchallenges.The

fiscalcrisisinMichigancontinuedtohavefar- reachingnegativeimpactonthepeoplethatMPAS represents.Successfullyadvocatingforservicesand supportsforpeoplewithdisabilitieswaschallenged,anditbecamenecessaryforMPAStoredesignand reinventitselftorespondtoincreaseddemandsfor advocacysupportandlegalrepresentationwith decreasedresources.Wedidthisinseveralways.

MPAShastakenaggressivestepsto:

ElmerL.CeranoExecutiveDirector

ThemissionofMichiganProtectionandAdvocacyService, Inc.(MPAS)istoadvocateandprotect

◆Streamlineoperationstobemorecustomerfocused,

◆Strategicallyredesignareasofservice,

◆Implementelectroniccommunicationsstrategiestoreducecostsand usetechnologytobetterserveclients,

◆Begintheprocessofagencywebsitemodernization.

BasedoninputfromthepeopleofMichiganwho usedisabilityservices, MPAShasbecomemoreprioritydriven.Althoughourgoal hasalwaysbeen toprotecttherightsofallpeoplewithdisabilities, wehavehadtobemore diligentinoursystemicadvocacyeffortstobestuse ourlimitedresourcesto dothegreatestamountofgoodforpeoplewith disabilities.

Ourprioritiesaresimpleandstraightforward.Asyoureview thisreport, youwillseewhatissuesmattermosttoMPAS andthepeopleweserve. What’smore,youwillclearlyseethedirectimpact theagencyhashadon themanyliveswehavetouched–thatis therealmeasureofoursuccess.

Again,anotheryeardrawstoacloseandMPAS hassuccessfully manageditslimitedresourcestoadvocateandprotectthe legalrightsof peoplewithdisabilitiesinMichigan.Inaddition,asa partofanational networkofProtectionandAdvocacyagencies,wehavedone ourpartto improvethelivesofpeoplewithdisabilitiesthroughoutthe nation.

thelegalrightsof

peoplewithdisabilities.

2MPAS2010AnnualReport

ElmerL.Cerano

The protection and advocacy system was originally designed toprotecttherightsofpeoplewithdevelopmentaldisabilities wholivedinstate-runinstitutions.Whileallofthoseinstitutions inMichiganhavenowbeenclosed,problemswithabuse

andneglectstillremainforpeoplewithphysical,emotional, developmental,andmentaldisabilities.Abuseandneglect continuesinplaceswherepeoplewithdisabilitiesresideaswell asinpublicschoolsacrossthestate.Manyfacilitiesandgroup homeswhereindividualswithdisabilitiesresidearemonitoredby MPASonaconsistentbasis.

MPAShasinvestedagreatamountofefforttoeliminate theuseofseclusionandrestraintineducationsettingsaswellasinmentalhealthfacilities,jails,andprisons.Theresults

ofinvestigatingrestraintandseclusionatalargechildcaring institutionweresenttothefacilitydemandingimprovement. MPASstaffsecuredanagreementfromthefacilitytotakesteps

toeliminaterestraintandseclusionandtoreportdataregularly toMPAS.

MPASprovidedinformation,referral,short-termassistance ordirectrepresentationrelatedtoabuseandneglecttoover 174individualsandhandled354callsforinformationand referral.Advocatesconducted118monitoringvisitstofacilities

andinstitutionswhereindividualswithdisabilitiesreside.Asa result,casesofabuseandneglectwereinvestigatedresultingin numerouscorrectiveactions.

Highlight

RecipientRightsOfficercontactedMPAS toreportthatamanhadarrivedata

psychiatricfacilitywearingabloodstainedgownandwithinjuries.Theclient,whohadcometo thefacilityfromamedicalhospital’spsychiatric emergencyroomviaanambulance,reportedhe hadbeenrestrainedunnecessarilyandassaulted bybothhospitalandambulanceworkers.MPAS investigatedandfiledcomplaintswiththe

OfficeofRecipientRightswhichresultedina substantiatedviolationofNeglectClassIII.

Besidesthiscase,MPASwasinvolved withfiveotherinvestigationsinvolvingthis sameemergencyroomregardingabuseand

inappropriateuseofrestraints.MPASinitiated asystemicprojecttoinvestigateandaddress theseissuesandisseekingapermanent, systemiccorrection.

ExpansionofBackgroundCheckLegislation

nMichigan,individualsapplyingforwork inhospitals,nursinghomes,grouphomes,

andprivateresidencesmustundergoacriminal backgroundcheckpriortoworkingwithpeoplewithdisabilities.Whilethislawhasproveneffective,it doesn’tgofarenough.MPAShasdiscoveredthat manycaregiverscontinuetokeeptheirjobsorget

similaremploymentelsewhereevenafterallegations ofseriousabuseorneglecthavebeeninvestigated andsubstantiated.Aftereducatinglegislatorson thisissue,legislationtotightenexistinglawshad beendraftedin2010butfailedtobeenacted.

Effortstomovethislegislationforwardwillcontinue in2011.

MPASReportisCatalystforSeclusionandRestraintLegislationatStateLevel

nNovember2009,MPASreleasedareportbased oninvestigationsandsurveyaccountsfrom

familieswhosechildrenhavesufferedphysical andemotionalharmfrombeingrestrainedand/or secludedinschool.

Thereport,“Safe andProtected?Restraint andSeclusion RemainUnregulated andUnderreportedinMichiganSchools,”wasprovided

toMichigan

policymakersand othersinaneffort

Promptedbyinformationfoundinthereport showingwidespreaduseofrestraintandseclusiononstudentswithdisabilitiesinschoolsthroughoutMichigan,StateRep.DebKennedy(D-Brownstown) introducedlegislation(HB5639)whichsought

torestricttheuseofrestraintandseclusioninMichiganschools.Thebillwasintroducedatapress conferenceattheStateCapitol,andtwoparents

ofchildrenwithdisabilitiesspoketoreportersand detailedpersonalaccountsofhowthesedangeroustechniquestookaphysicalandpsychologicaltollontheirchildren.

Rep.KennedyreferencedtheMPASreportand statedhowschoolsmustchangethedangerous practiceofusingrestraintandseclusiononschoolchildren.

PromptedbyanMPAS

report,StateRep.DebKennedyintroducedlegislationintheMichiganHouseregulatingrestraintandseclusioninschools.

todrivehomethe urgencyofpassing legislationto eliminatethese abusivepractices.

“Therewerechildrenasyoungassixoreight yearsoldwhowereputinaroomwithwindows blackedoutandthedoorclosed.Theywouldthenbe leftforlongperiodsoftimesometimeswithoutbeing checked,”Kennedysaid.

4MPAS2010AnnualReport

HighlightsofMPASReportonRestraintandSeclusion

heMPASreport“SafeandProtected?RestraintandSeclusionRemain

Unregulated and Underreported in MichiganSchools”madeseveralrecommendations, manyofwhichwereincludedinlegislation introducedbyRep.Kennedy.

◆Eliminationofchemical,physical,and life-threateningrestraint,

◆Eliminationofaversivetreatment,

◆Eliminationoftheuseofseclusion,

◆Limitingtheuseofforcetounforeseeable emergenciesinvolvingsignificant

riskofsubstantialharmtoselfor others,

◆Eliminationofrestraintandseclusionas treatmentorbehaviorsupport,

◆Requiredpublicreportingofaggregate useofrestraintandseclusion.

Federallawrestrictstheuseofseclusionand restrainttoemergencycircumstancesforchildren inhospitals,community-basedresidential treatmentfacilities,andotherfacilitiessupported byfederaldollars.Theserules,however,donot currentlyapplytopublicorprivateschools.

IthasbecomeapparenttoMPASthatrestraint andseclusioninschoolsissymptomaticofamore extensiveunderlyingproblem–alackofmental healthservicesandpositivebehaviorsupports

inschools.Theremedytothisproblemlies infirstidentifyingwhichchildrenare experiencingbehavioralproblemsdueto

disabilities.Onceidentified,itiscrucialtheybe evaluatedandprovidedthesupportsandservices mandatedunderspecialeducationlawwhichwill allowthemtobesuccessfulinschoolwithoutthe useofseclusionandrestraint.

MichiganFamilyJoinsDisabilityAdvocatesinPushforFederalLegislationtoProtectStudentsfromRestraintandSeclusion

icoleandAlanHoldenspokeinfavorof morestringentfederallawsrestrictingthe

useofrestraintandseclusioninschools.Ata Washington,D.C.pressconferenceinDecember 2009,thecouplefromFruitport,Michigan, joinedU.S.RepsGeorgeMiller(D-CA)and CathyMcMorrisRodgers(R-WA)asthey announcedtheintroductionofbi-partisan legislationthatwould,forthefirsttime,protect allchildreninschoolsfromtheharmfulpractice ofrestraintandseclusion.

TheHoldensspokefromexperience.Their son,Ethan,wasrestrainedasathree-year-old attendinganEarlyOnpreschool.Nicoletold reportersfromthenationalpressofhowshe attendedherchild’sholidaypartyandfoundhersonstrappedinahighchair.Shelater

discoveredhehad beenrestrainedall day,everydayhe wasattheschool.Inanattemptto

jointheotherchildren,Ethanwouldtipover hishighchairanddragitbehindhim,causing

painandbruisingonhisbody.Schoolpersonnel hadpreviouslytoldMs.Holdenthebruisinghad occurredontheplayground.

“Hejustwantedtoparticipatewithallthe otherkidsintheclassandhedidn’tunderstand whyhecouldn’tbewiththeotherchildren,”HoldensaidofEthan,whohasautismanddoes notspeak.

MPASsteppedinandconvincedschool personneltostoprestrainingEthan.Henow attendsanotherschoolwhereheisadjusting welltohisnewenvironment.

Thebillintroducedthatdaywaspassedby theU.S.HouseEducationandLaborCommittee aswellasthefullUnitedStatesHouseof Representatives.Attheendoffiscalyear2010, companionlegislationintroducedintheSenate byU.S.SenatorChrisDodd(D-CT)andRichard Burr(R-NC)wasawaitingavote.

Hejustwantedto participate withall the otherkidsintheclassandhedidn’tunderstandwhyhecouldn’tbewiththeotherchildren,HoldensaidofEthan,whohasautismanddoesnotspeak.

MPASisworkingtoeliminatesegregationofprisonerswithmentalillnessandassureproperassessmentandtreatment

ollowingthedeathofaninmatewithahistory ofpsychiatricdisabilitiesin2006,theMichigan

DepartmentofCorrections(MDOC)wasmandated toconductanindependentstudytoassesshowmanyprisonershadamentalillnessand,ofthose diagnosed,howmanyreceivedtreatmentwithin

thecorrectionalsystem.TheUniversityofMichigan studyshowedabouttwo-thirdsofprisonerswith severementalillnessgowithouttreatment

behindbars.

6MPAS2010AnnualReport

MPASfiledalawsuitagainsttheMDOC

onbehalfofprisonerswithmentalillness,and positivechangeshaveresulted.Throughvisitsand interviewswithinmates,MPASisnowmonitoring tomakecertainMDOChascompliedwithan interimagreementtoprovideappropriatemental healthscreeningsandservices,andincidentsof administrativesegregationhavedeclined.

Priority:ImproveRights-ProtectionSystems

hepurposeoftheOfficeofRecipient Rights(ORR)istoprotectandpromote

theconstitutionalandstatutoryrightsof recipientsofpublicmentalhealthservicesandto empowerrecipientstofullyexercisetheserights. Unfortunatelytheinternalstructureandlackof enforcementwithintheMichiganORRmakesthe systemflawedandoftenineffectiveforthosewho

dependonit.Manyindividualswhoneedthesystem electnottouseitduetofearofretaliationanditsinabilitytoremedyrightsviolations.

MPAScontinuestoseekdatafromtheOfficeofRecipientRightsregardingthenumberof complaintsfiled,investigatedorintervened, substantiated,andappealed.

MPASstaffcontinuetomonitorfacilitieswhere individualswithdisabilitiesresideorreceive services.MPASstaffinvestigatesallsuspectedor reportedviolationsonindividuals’rights.

RecipientRightsBilltoCorrectMentalHealthRightsSystemisIntroducedintheMichiganHouse

MPASprovidedsamplelanguagetolegislators, andwitnessedtheintroductionofrecipientrightslegislationbyRep.KateSegal(D-62,BattleCreek). Thebill(HB6456)ifpassed,wouldconsolidate localrecipientrightsofficesintothestateofficeof recipientrightsandgivethestateofficesanction authoritywhenarightsviolationhasbeen substantiated.

Theneedforthislegislationwasbased,inpart,ona2007MichiganProtectionandAdvocacyServicereportentitled,“NavigatingtheMentalHealthMazeinMichigan:WhytheRecipientRightsSystemisBrokenandHowWeCanFixIt.”The

reportdocumentedhowthefailuretoprovidemental

healthservicescontributedtothedeathofaninmate inaMichigancountyjail.Subsequentattemptsto addressthatfailurethroughtherecipientrightssystemprovidedacasestudywhichrevealedthe system’smajorflaws.Thereportclearlyillustrated thesystemdesignedtoprotecttherightsofmental healthconsumersisdefectiveandinneedofmajor legislativecorrections.

MPASsupportslegislationtoreformMichigan’s entirerightssystem.Proposedchangeswould improveaccountability,reduceconflictsofinterest, improveoutcomesforconsumers,streamline processes,potentiallycutcosts,andplacegreater focusontheneedsoftheconsumersofcommunity mentalhealthagencies,hospitals,orfacilities.

Statewideadvocacygroupshaveadvocatedfor changestotherecipientrightssystemforyears. Infact,manyoftherequirementsspelledoutin theproposedlegislationhavebeenendorsedby over20statewidedisabilityorganizationsthat

participatewithintheCommonDisabilityAgenda. ThelegislationdidnotpasstheMichiganHouseof Representativesduringthe95thlegislativesession, butwillbere-introducedin2011-2012.

MPAS2010AnnualReport7

RightsofIndividualswithGuardians

PASbelievesindividualsdeservethe freedomtochoosewhetherornotto

receivementalhealthtreatmentandshould notbeforcedintotreatmentbyaguardian. DueinparttoMPAS’participationwithother like-mindedgroups,acollectivevoiceopposing legislationthatpromotesinvoluntarymental healthtreatmentwasheardandefforts

toexpandtheabilityofguardianstoforceconsumerstoreceivetreatmentwerestopped.

MPASalsocontinuedtoworkwiththeState BarofMichigan’sEqualAccessInitiative,which consistsoflawyers,judges,andcourtpersonnel fromthroughoutMichigan.MPASservesonthe DisabilitiesWorkgroupwhichfocusesonspecific

groupsthatareunderrepresentedinthejudicial systemorwhomaybepoorlyservedbythe courts.

Alsointheareaofguardianshipissues,MPAS discoveredthatMichiganguardianshiplawis openforexploitationasitdoesnotrequirea guardiantoreportonaward’sfinances,even whentheguardianhasthelegalresponsibility

ofhandlingtheindividual’smoney.MPAShas beguneducatinglegislatorsontheimportance ofrequiringfinancialoversightofallguardians whohavefinancialauthorityoverapersonwith adisability.

8MPAS2010AnnualReport

Priority:EliminateEmploymentBarriersandProtectRights

nMichiganandnationwide,peoplewith disabilitiescontinuetobeunderemployedand

unemployed.

MPASstrivestoensurethatallpeoplewith disabilitieshavethesupportsandservicesnecessary toworkinaninclusiveenvironmentandtobefairly compensatedfortheirwork.

MPASprovidesrepresentationtoworkersin shelteredemploymentsettingswhoarenotfairly compensatedasrequiredbylawand/orthosefor whomreasonableaccomodationsareignored.

TheClientAssistanceProgram(CAP)served459 individualsthisyearandreached18,878individuals throughtrainings,outreachandinformation dissemination.

SocialSecurityRepresentativePayeeProgram

Duetopotentialforabuse,MPASmonitored representativepayeeswhoalsoserveasemployers ofbeneficiaries.(Arepresentativepayeeisan individualororganizationthatreceivesbenefitsfromtheSocialSecurityAdministrationonbehalfof someonewithadisabilitytopayforthecurrentand futureneedsoftheindividual.)

EducationandTraining

AsadirectresultofMPAScaseworkand informationandreferralservices,peoplewith disabilitieshavebetteraccesstoservicesprovided byMichiganRehabilitationServices(MRS)and CentersforIndependentLiving(CIL).Through training,MRScounselorsandstaffhaveabetter understandingoftheMPASClientAssistance Program.

MPAS2010AnnualReport9

Highlight

nindividualcontactedMPASregarding vanmodificationsthatMichigan

RehabilitationServices(MRS)hadnot completedcorrectly.Theindividual’svanhad beensittingintherepairshopforoverayear. WhenMPASbeganinvestigatingwhythe modificationswerenotcompleted,itbecame evidentnoonewantedtotakeresponsibility

forensuringthevendormadetheappropriate changes.MPASwassuccessfulingettingMRS totakeresponsibilitysincetheyhadprovided thefundingforthemodifications.After receivingtheappropriatemodificationstothe van,theindividualisnowabletocontinueher employment.

10MPAS2010AnnualReport

Priority:ImproveAccesstoNecessaryServices

PAShasmadeitaprioritytoprotect anindividual’srighttochoosewhereto

live,learn,work,andsocialize.Inorderforan individualtopursueaqualitylifeinthecommunity,

governmentalentitiesandprovidersofcritical servicesandpublicaccomodationsmustbe accessibletoeveryone.

ChangesinAccessibilityasaResultofCasework

nresponsetoMPAScaseworkandadvocacy,

theMichiganDepartmentofCommunityHealth MedicalServicesAdministrationisworking

withMPAStoremediatethedenialofassistive technologyfornursingfacilityresidents.

AlsoinresponsetoMPAScaseworkand

advocacy,theMichiganDepartmentofHuman Servicesagreedthattoomanychildrenare institutionalizedduetolackofproperfostercare alternativesandhasimplementedpoliciestoreduce institutionalplacementofchildreninthefoster

caresystem.

MPAS2010AnnualReport11

AccessibleOutdoorRecreationforall

samemberoftheAccessibilityAdvisory Council(AAC),MPASandother

representativesprovideadviceandguidanceto

theMichiganDepartmentofNaturalResources andEnvironment(DNRE)aboutaccessibilityto programs,facilities,andservicesinourstate.As

aresultofthisinput,DNREhasimproved accessibilitytoa numberofcampsites, parks,fishingdocks, andtrails.

Most recently,advocacy effortsresultedin expandedcrossbowregulations,whichallowsforindividualswithadisabilitytouseacrossbowwithoutpriorcertificationfromtheirphysician.

MichiganDeafPersons’InterpretersAmendmentsActEnsuresAccessto Communication

PAScontinuestoparticipateinthe rulemakingprocessoftheMichiganDeaf

Persons’InterpretersAmendmentsAct,seeing toitthatregulationsdraftedbytheMichigan DepartmentofLaborandEconomicGrowth accomplishthegoalsoflegislationpassedin

2007.MPAS’participationinitsimplementation assuresthatpeoplewhoaredeaforhardof hearinghaveaccesstoqualifiedinterpreters, anddonothavetorelyonfamilymembersor

unqualifiedstaffwhencommunicatinginschools, courts,hospitals,businessesandotherplaces whereaccuratecommunicationiscrucial.

12MPAS2010AnnualReport

PartneringwithElectionOfficialstoImproveAccesstothePollsonElectionDay

ninitialstudybyMPASfoundthat22%of Michigan’s3,600pollingplaceswerenotfully

ADAcompliant.Throughaninnovativepartnership, MPAS,theDepartmentofState,andlocalelection officialssetagoaltoensurethatallMichiganpolls werefullyaccessibletopeoplewithdisabilitiesbythe November2,2010,generalelection.

MPASadvocatesvisitedover3,400pollingplaces andperformedhands-onassessmentstodetermine whethereachMichiganlocationmettheaccessibility requirementsspecifiedintheHelpAmericaVoteAct (HAVA)of2002.

MPASfoundover800pollingplaceshadphysical barriersthatmightpresentdifficultiestovoterswith disabilitiesonElectionDay.Sincetheassessments werecompletedandresultswereshared, municipalitiesrepresentingnearly600ofthese pollingplaceshaveindicatedtheyhaveaddressed theconcernsorareintheprocessofcomplying.

OnceMPASverifiesthatthesepollingplaceshave removedtheidentifiedbarriers,itisestimatedthat Michigan’saccessibilityratewillrisetonearly90%. Accomplishing100%accessibilityisthegoalforthe nextelectioncycle.

TheMichiganBureauofElections(BOE)has playedavitalroleinfollowingupwithclerks whosepollingplaceswerenotfullyaccessible,and indeterminingthejurisdiction’splannedcourseof correctiveaction.

TheBOEcoordinatedandextended

Michigan’spollingplaceimprovementgrantwellinto thefallof2010toassistmunicipalitiesinremoving barrierstovoting.Localelectionofficialshadthe optionofupgradingwithorwithoutfederalgrant fundsordesignatinganothersitethatisalready accessible.TheBOEreportstheyhaveseenalarge increaseinthenumberofmunicipalitiesapplyingfor federalgrantfunds.

MPAS2010AnnualReport13

“ThankstoMPASandhisnewchair,Johnhasregainedawholenewsenseofdignityandindependence.”

MPASHelpsClientAccessAssistiveTechnology

henJohnwas35-years-old,hedeveloped PrimaryLateralSclerosis(PLS),adisease

similartoAmyotrophicLateralSclerosis(ALS orLouGehrig’sdisease).Causedprimarilyby degenerationoftheuppermotorneuronsinthe brainandspinalcord,PLSresultsinincreasing spasticityandweaknessofvoluntarymuscles.

AtfirstJohnwasabletokeepworkingfromhome withthehelpofacustomizedcomputer.Heeven continuedtodrivehiscarwiththeadditionofhand controls.Hiswife,Shirley,caredforhimintheir homeuntilhisneedsbecametoomuchforherto manage.AboutsixyearsagoJohnreluctantlymoved intoanursinghome.

“Ihatedtodoit,andhehatedtogo,”saysShirley. “Butwehadnootherchoice.”AtthattimeJohnwas usingapowerwheelchairtomaintainhismobility. Becausethewheelchairwasold,itbeganbreakingdownandfinallytherepairswereimpossible.The 300-poundchairwouldneedtobereplaced.

“Thisiswheneveryonestartedpassingthe

buck,”saysShirley.Frustrated,shegotonthe InternetanddiscoveredMichiganProtectionand AdvocacyService.Afterathoroughinvestigation andperseverance,theMPASadvocatecontacted anattorneyfromMichiganPovertyLawProgram who,inturn,convincedtherepaircompanytotake

measurementsandperformawheelchairevaluation.

Eventually,itwasdeterminedthatMedicaidwas theproviderresponsibleforpayingforthechair.

Johnlookedthroughbrochuresandselected apowerwheelchairwithajoystickthathecould usetopropelhimselfforwardwithoutdepending onsomeonetopushhim.Italsotiltedforward, backward,andsideways.

“Hewasbesidehimselfwithhappiness,”says Shirley.“Nowhecanleavehisroomwithoutneeding torelyonsomeonetopushhisheavychair.“He

cangotothewindoworonnicedayssitoutsideinthesun.ThankstoMPASandhisnewchair,John hasregainedawholenewsenseofdignityand independence.”

Highlight

hewifeofa53-year-oldmanwhorecentlyhad astrokecontactedMPASbecauseMedicaid

haddeniedherhusbandaspeechgenerating device.Hewaslivinginanursinghomeandhad requestedandwasdeniedanEyegazeSystem throughMedicaidtohelphimcommunicatewith

otherresidentsandstaff.MPASrepresented themanathisMedicaidhearingandthedenial wasoverturned.Themanisnowabletouse

preprogrammedstatements,aswellastalktohis wifeinhisnativelanguage,Romanian,withthe helpofhisnewcommunicationdevice.

14MPAS2010AnnualReport

Priority:EnsuretheRighttoaHighQualityEducation

tudentswithdisabilitiesarelikelyto experiencedifficultiesrelatedtoschool

placement,suspension,andexpulsion

fromschoolspecificallyforbehaviorthatis indicativeofdisabilities.Someareatriskof beingpushedoutofschoolandintothecourtorfostercaresystem.

MPASworkstoensurethateverychild

withadisabilityhastherighttoahighquality educationalongwiththeservicesnecessary

totransitionsuccessfullytolifeafterschool.Rightsareprotectedbyeducatingparents,schooladministrators,legislators,and professionalsaboutspecialeducationlawand byinterveningwhenappropriate.

Therewere250requestsforinformation andreferrals.Directadvocacyassistancewas providedin54instancestostudentsatriskof suspensionorexpulsionfromschool.

Effortscontinuedtoensurethatschoolsappropriatelyidentifyandsupporttheneeds

ofstudentswithdisabilitiesrelatedtochallengingbehaviorsinaproactive,positive,andindividualized manner.Systemicadvocacyresultedinstate guidelinesrequiringschoolstocompleteevaluations inatimelymanner.MPAScontributedtoefforts

toreducethenumberofschooldistrictsthatwere doinguntimelyevaluationsfrom388in2009tojust 50in2010.

SpeakingonbehalfoftheneedsofMichigan schoolchildren,MPASstaffalsoprovidedpublic commentsonextendedschoolyearservices, reauthorizationoftheElementaryandSecondary EducationAct,newMichiganDepartmentof Education(MDE)policiesoninitialevaluations andparentconsent,OfficeforCivilRights restraint/seclusionreporting,complaintand

dueprocessprocedures,andtheStateBoardof Educationeducationrestructuringvisionstatement.

MPASprovidedindividualadvocacytoassist studentswithdevelopmentaldisabilitiestoreturn toschoolwithappropriatesupports.

◆Inonecase,MPAShelpedayoungmanwith emotionalimpairmentsgetanewspecial educationevaluationandreturntoschoolina generaleducationsettingwithsupports.

◆Inanothercase,ayoungmanwithautismwas abletocontinuehiseducationalprogramwith helpfromcomputer-assistedlearning.

◆Inathirdcase,ayoungmanwithalearning disabilityavoidedexpulsionandreturnedto schoolwithsupportservicesinplace.

MPAS2010AnnualReport15

Highlight

youngmanwithautismwasthreatened withexpulsionneartheendoftheschool

yearforthefollowingyear.MPASintervened, reviewedrecords,thenparticipatedinahearing beforetheschoolboard.Theboarddecidedto

reducetherecommendedexpulsiontoashort- termsuspension,andtheyoungmanreturnedto

schoolatthebeginningofthenextschoolyearwithappropriatepositivebehaviorsupportsinplace.

Highlight

ADHD,andAsperger’ssyndrome wasrepeatedlysenthomeforbehavior relatedtohisdisabilities.MPAS attendedareviewonthestudent’s behalf.Asaresult,theteamdetermined thestudent’sbehaviorwasduetohis disability,andtheschooldistrictsecuredadditionalassistancefromabehavior specialistandautismconsultant.

16MPAS2010AnnualReport

Highlight

hroughmonitoringandindividualcasework,

MPAShelpspeoplewithdisabilitiesreturntotheir communitiesandstayintheircommunityofchoiceinstead ofmovingtofacilities.

◆Inonecase,MPAShelpedayoungmanwithautism completehistransitionfromlivingattheMt.Pleasant Centertoacommunitysettingwhileretaining appropriatecommunitysupportsandeducational services.

◆Inanothercase,ayoungmanwithspinabifidawasable totravelinhiscommunitybecauseMPASadvocacy helpedenforcehisrighttotransportationassistance.

◆Inathirdcase,MPASintervenedonbehalfofayoung womanwithanemotionalimpairmentandhelpedher stayinherfamilyhomewithappropriatesupports.

MichiganProtectionandAdvocacyServiceBoardofDirectors,FiscalYear2009-10

MarkLezotte,Esq.

President

Detroit

KatePewWolters1stVicePresident Grand Rapids

Michelle Huerta2ndVicePresident Livonia

Donna DePalmaSecretaryPinckney

TomLandryTreasurerHighland

Kathy McGeathy

Immediate PastPresident Flint

PamelaBellamy,Ph.D.

Lansing

Mark Brewer,Esq.

ClintonTownship

RonaldD.Bush,II

WestBloomfield

Ann E.Manning

Clarkston

JohnD.McCulloch

RoyalOak

SusanL.Odgers,Ph.D,ABD

TraverseCity

StoneyPolman

St.Johns

ErnieA.Reynolds

Roscommon

FrankTurnage

Roscommon

KristySumera

TraverseCity

FrederickF.(Rick)Swegles,Esq.

PortHuron

Sheila FaunceDirectorEmeritus EastLansing

FrederickA.Swegles

DirectorEmeritus

PortHuron

PAIMIAdvisoryCouncil,FiscalYear2009-10

KristyL.SumeraChair

TraverseCity

Jane ShankVice-ChairInterlochen

JamesDowning

Owosso

LaurieEhrhardt

Saginaw

KimberlyFant

Detroit

KimberlyGehrke

AnnArbor

MichelleHuerta,JD,RN

Livonia

JamesJavorsky

Waterford

LauraLibner

GrandRapids

ChrisMcLean

Brimley

MPAS2010AnnualReport17

MichiganProtectionandAdvocacyService,Inc.

StatementofActivitiesandChangesinNetAssets

Revenue

YearEndedSeptember30,September30

20102009

(Unrestricted)

Governmentgrants$ 3,776,557$ 4,013,395

Other30,71119,756

Totalrevenue3,807,2684,033,151

Expenses

18MPAS2010AnnualReport

PleaseConsiderADeferredGifttoMPAS

YourDonationMakesaDifferencetoPeoplewithDisabilities

ichiganProtectionandAdvocacyService,Inc. (MPAS)ispartofthefederallymandated

protectionandadvocacysystemandreceivesthe majorityofitsfundingfromfederalgrantprograms. Weacceptandalwaysappreciatedonationsfrom privatedonorsandorganizations.

OnewaytosupportMPASiswithaplannedor deferredgiftofcashorinvestmentsecurities.This canbearrangedthroughyourwillortrust.

Acashgiftisalsoappreciatedandisgenerallytaxdeductiblefromyourfederalincometax return.MPASisa501(c)3nonprofitorganization. Weencourageyoutocheckwithyourtaxadvisor concerningataxdeductionforyourgift.

Ifyouhavealreadydonated,thankyoufor

yoursupport.Tobecomeadonor,pleasesendyour donationintheenvelopeincludedinthisreportor contact:

MichiganProtectionandAdvocacyService,Inc.

4095 Legacy Parkway, Suite 500

Lansing, MI 48911-4263

Toll free: 800.288.5923

Facebook:MichiganProtectionandAdvocacyService,Inc.

Voice,TTY,andlanguageaccommodationsavailable.

MPASpublications,includingthisannualreport,areavailableinalternativeformats.

MichiganProtectionandAdvocacyServiceisMichigan’sprotectionandadvocacyagencymandatedbyfederalandstatelawtoadvocateforindividualswithdisabilities.MPASreceivespartofitsfundingfromtheAdministrationonDevelopmentalDisabilities,theCenterforMentalHealthServices-SubstanceAbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration,theRehabilitationServicesAdministration,andtheSocialSecurityAdministration.

MPAS2010AnnualReport19

4095LegacyParkway,Suite500

Lansing,Michigan48911-4263

517.487.1755 • 800.288.5923

(VoiceorTTY)Fax517.487.0827