community as their target for outreach. A detailed report on outreach and training is included as Exhibit D. Issues and complaints are resolved expeditiously and at the lowest level of appropriate intervention. From July 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015, OCRA resolved 5,120 issues for consumers. Of those, all but 9 were resolved informally. More than 99 percent of all the matters that OCRA handled were resolved without using administrative hearings or court proceedings. Data showing this is attached as Exhibit E. Collaborative and harmonious working relationships are fostered. OCRA staff continue to collaborate with local regional centers, stakeholders, and community members. Some examples of collaboration include serving on Behavioral Modification Review Committees, Risk Assessment Committees, County Coordinating Councils, Supported Life Training Planning Committees, county customer service and appeals and hearings meetings, DDS Taskforce Implementation Workgroup, State Hearings Division Stakeholder meeting, Fiesta Educativa, diversity committees, and many others. All CRAs are participating in meetings with their regional centers’ Self-Determination Program Local Advisory Committees. Some OCRA staff provide training to regional center staff. Some regional centers ask CRAs to train new vendors as part of their orientation and make meeting with OCRA a part of the new service coordinator orientation. Many OCRA staff meet regularly with regional center staff and community partners to share ideas and expertise on many subjects. Many regional center staff have made OCRA their primary contact any time one of their clients has a legal issue. This philosophy of collaboration is not only incorporated into Disability Rights California’s contract with DDS, but is also a recognition that some of the most effective advocacy takes place because of interpersonal relationships and informal advocacy. The success of this philosophy is demonstrated by the number of calls OCRA receives from varied sources, by its ability to resolve matters informally, and by its recognition as an excellent resource for people with developmental disabilities and their families.
community as their target for outreach. A detailed report on outreach and training is included as Exhibit D. Issues and complaints are resolved expeditiously and at the lowest level of appropriate intervention. From July 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015, OCRA resolved 5,120 issues for consumers. Of those, all but 9 were resolved informally. More than 99 percent of all the matters that OCRA handled were resolved without using administrative hearings or court proceedings. Data showing this is attached as Exhibit E. Collaborative and harmonious working relationships are fostered. OCRA staff continue to collaborate with local regional centers, stakeholders, and community members. Some examples of collaboration include serving on Behavioral Modification Review Committees, Risk Assessment Committees, County Coordinating Councils, Supported Life Training Planning Committees, county customer service and appeals and hearings meetings, DDS Taskforce Implementation Workgroup, State Hearings Division Stakeholder meeting, Fiesta Educativa, diversity committees, and many others. All CRAs are participating in meetings with their regional centers’ Self-Determination Program Local Advisory Committees. Some OCRA staff provide training to regional center staff. Some regional centers ask CRAs to train new vendors as part of their orientation and make meeting with OCRA a part of the new service coordinator orientation. Many OCRA staff meet regularly with regional center staff and community partners to share ideas and expertise on many subjects. Many regional center staff have made OCRA their primary contact any time one of their clients has a legal issue. This philosophy of collaboration is not only incorporated into Disability Rights California’s contract with DDS, but is also a recognition that some of the most effective advocacy takes place because of interpersonal relationships and informal advocacy. The success of this philosophy is demonstrated by the number of calls OCRA receives from varied sources, by its ability to resolve matters informally, and by its recognition as an excellent resource for people with developmental disabilities and their families.
Directors%20Report%20July2015toDec2015.docx