(10.16) How can OCRA’s Clients’ Rights Advocate help me?

There is a Clients’ Rights Advocate (CRA) for the clients of every regional center. But, CRAs do not work for the regional center, even if their office is there.^[1]§ 4433.

The Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy (OCRA) is a statewide office run by Disability Rights California, through a contract with the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS). OCRA employs a Clients’ Rights Advocate (CRA) to support clients of each regional center.

The CRA’s job is to help protect your legal rights, your right to services, and your human rights. This includes helping you in appeals against the regional center and other agencies.^[2]See § 4433(d)(1). See also Cal. Code Regs., tit. 17, § 50540, which allows you or your representative to file a complaint with the Clients’ Rights Advocate (CRA) if you believe that any of your … Continue reading But, CRAs can only take on a limited number of cases. Before they decide to take your case, the CRA looks at:

if you can represent yourself,
if you have other resources available, if you have a strong case, and
if the CRA is available.

Even if the CRA cannot take your case, they can still provide other help. They can talk with you about your case, give advice, and give other types of help.

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References
↑1	§ 4433.
↑2	See § 4433(d)(1). See also Cal. Code Regs., tit. 17, § 50540, which allows you or your representative to file a complaint with the Clients’ Rights Advocate (CRA) if you believe that any of your rights have been abused, punitively withheld, or improperly denied. The CRA must investigate your complaint within 10 working days of receiving it, and send you a proposed resolution in writing. If you are not satisfied with the CRA’s proposed resolution, notify the CRA. Within 5 working days, the CRA must refer you to the director of the state hospital or the regional center for your service area. If the director of the state hospital or regional center does not resolve your complaint to your satisfaction within 10 working days, the director must refer you to the Department of Developmental Services’ clients’ rights officer for a final administrative decision.