Programs, Services and EligibilityThe Wyoming P&A office employs attorneys and other professional staff who provide a variety of services. Please click on the following programs to learn more about them:
Services Can be Accessed Through Offices at Two Locations: The main office at: A field office at: Description of Services and Eligibility Requirements: Protection & Advocacy for Developmental Disabilities Program (PADD) What is Protection & Advocacy System, Inc. (P&A)? The Protection & Advocacy System, Inc. is the official non-profit corporation authorized since 1977 to implement certain mandates of several federal laws. Enacted by Congress, these laws provide various protection and advocacy services. The Protection & Advocacy System, Inc., performs its duties independently from any agency, whether it be governmental, administrative, public or private. Whether or not your rights have been violated is a legal question that must be researched by a professional based on the particular facts of your situation. If you believe that your rights have been violated or if you have questions which you think P&A may be able to answer, please contact P&A at the addresses and telephone numbers listed. What Problems Does P&A Address? The Developmental Disabilities Program of Protection & Advocacy System, Inc. may investigate problems related to the protection of certain civil rights of persons with developmental disabilities. P&A may assist with issues such as:
P&A does not provide assistance in such matters as personal injury, divorce, child custody, will drafting, estate planning, or criminal representation. P&A also does not become involved in civil matters which do not relate to the developmental disability of an individual. What Services Does P&A Provide? The Developmental Disabilities Program of P&A may: 1) investigate complaints; 2) tell people with developmental disabilities about their civil rights and ways to enforce those rights; 3) represent people with developmental disabilities in meetings, negotiation sessions, administrative and judicial proceedings; 4) refer people to other sources of help; and 5) provide periodic and limited training for people with developmental disabilities, their families, and advocates, as they resolve individual concerns and issues relating to service systems. How will P&A Decide Whether to Provide Representation? In deciding whether P&A can represent you directly, the Developmental Disabilities Program of P&A will consider:
Who Can Receive Services From P&A Developmental Disabilities Program? You could be eligible if you have a developmental disability. Your disability must: be severe and chronic; come from a mental and/or physical impairment; occur before you are 22 years old; result in substantial functional limitations for you in 3 or more life activities which include: self-care; capacity for independent living; self-direction; receptive and expressive language; learning; mobility; and economic self-sufficiency; and need care, treatment, service, and/or individualized supports that (a) will continue for all or most of your life; and (b) are planned and coordinated especially for you. Children from birth to age nine are also eligible for services if they have a substantial developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired condition without meeting 3 or more of the criteria above if the individual, without services and supports, has a high probability of meeting those criteria later in life. Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Program (PAIMI) What is P&A System, Inc.? The Protection & Advocacy System, Inc. (P&A) is the official non-profit corporation authorized by federal law (the PAIMI Act) to independently protect the civil rights of individuals who have a diagnosis of significant mental illness or emotional impairment in instances of abuse or neglect or civil rights violations. P&A may pursue legal, administrative, or other remedies to secure the civil rights of individuals who qualify for P&A services. Whether or not your rights have been violated is a legal question that must be researched by a professional based on the particular facts of your situation. If you believe that your rights have been violated or if you have questions which you think P&A can answer, please contact P&A at the addresses or telephone numbers listed. Who is Eligible for PAIMI Services? Any person, who requests services related to the issues of abuse or neglect or a violation of civil rights, may qualify for P&A assistance. In order to qualify for help, individuals diagnosed as having a significant mental illness or emotional impairment must either: currently reside in a facility located in Wyoming which renders care or treatment; or have resided in a facility located in Wyoming and have issues concerning abuse or neglect or civil rights violations. Qualification is also dependent upon a number of other factors. What Services are Available Through P&A? PAIMI assistance may include: 1) information and referral; 2) technical assistance, advice, and support for self-advocacy; 3) training in advocacy, self-advocacy, rights and services; and 4) investigation and representation in matters of abuse, neglect, or violation of rights. PAIMI advocacy services are available to individuals statewide. P&A staff members are located in Evanston and Cheyenne. P&A does not provide services, for example, in criminal matters, nor does it become involved in a variety of civil matters, including but not limited to, personal injury, divorce, child custody, property disputes, will drafting, or estate planning. P&A does not duplicate services that are provided within Wyoming by other agencies. How Will PAIMI Decide Whether to Provide Representation? In deciding whether PAIMI may represent you directly, PAIMI will consider:
The Client Assistance Program (CAP) What is CAP? The Client Assistance Program is a federal program initiated under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. The primary goal of the program is to identify, explain and resolve, at the lowest level possible, any problems a person might be having with his/her rehabilitation program. CAP services shall be provided in accordance with established goal and internal rules, regulations, and guidelines. Who is Eligible for CAP Services? Services may be available to: anyone who has applied for or is receiving services from Vocational Rehabilitation, Independent Living Programs or Rehabilitation Act Programs; persons who are dissatisfied with the services they are receiving, or who have been denied services to which they might be entitled; and persons needing intervention or assistance in their relationships with projects, programs and facilities providing services to them under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. What Services are Available Through CAP? The Client Assistance Program can: 1) inform you of your rights and responsibilities according to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; 2) consult with you on ways to advocate for yourself concerning your rehabilitation; 3) negotiate, when appropriate, on your behalf to resolve problems as quickly as possible; 4) assist you, when appropriate, in taking the administrative and legal steps necessary to protect your rights; 5) refer you to other resources when and if necessary; 6 identify problem areas which interfere with delivery of rehabilitation services and suggests methods in which to make systemic changes; and 7) advise you of your rights under Title 1 of the Americans with Disabilities Act. A primary goal of CAP is to identify, explain, and resolve as quickly as possible any problems you may be having with your Independent Living Program. Protection & Advocacy for Individual Rights Program (PAIR) What is PAIR? The PAIR Program was authorized by a 1992 amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The purpose of this program is to protect certain civil rights of individuals with disabilities who are ineligible for assistance from other programs. What Services PAIR Provide? This program can: 1) protect and advocate certain civil rights of individuals with disabilities; 2) pursue legal, administrative, and other appropriate remedies and approaches to ensure the protection of, and advocacy for certain civil rights of such individuals within the State who are ineligible for protection and advocacy from other programs; 3) provide information and make referrals to programs and services addressing the need of individuals with disabilities in the State; and 4) develop a statement of objectives and priorities of the program. The statement of objectives and priorities may include:
How Will PAIR Decide Whether to Provide Representation? In deciding whether PAIR will represent you directly, the PAIR Program of P&A will consider:
Protection & Advocacy for Assistive Technology Program (PAAT) What is the PAAT Program? The PAAT Program is designed to assist individuals with respect to assistive technology devices and assistive technology services. Assistive technology devices include any product or piece of equipment used to maintain or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities. These devices may be acquired commercially, modified or custom made. They may be as simple as a magnifying lamp or as complex as a customized computer. Assistive technology services help an individual select, purchase or use an assistive technology device including: evaluating, funding, designing, customizing, maintaining, repairing, training, or technical assistance. How Will P&A Decide Whether to Provide Representation? In deciding whether PAAT will represent you directly, the PAAT Program of P&A will consider:
What Services are Available Through PA AT? The program may: 1) aid in locating funding sources for assistive technology devices and services; 2) support you in becoming an advocate for improved assistive technology devices and services; 3) provide you with assistance and representation with local issues, administrative actions, and legal actions concerning assistive technology devices and services; 4) assist in most assistive technology situations, including; private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, vocational rehabilitation, education, early childhood, agency denials, and more. Protection & Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security Program (PABSS) What is the PABSS Program? The Protection & Advocacy System, Inc. (P&A) is a non-profit corporation which provides advocacy and other services to individuals, as authorized by various federal laws. Helping SSI/SSDI Beneficiaries Obtain or Regain Employment P&A offers services to SSI/SSDI beneficiaries between the ages of 18-64 interested in securing a job or returning to work. Beneficiaries involved in going to work may contact P&A for information, referral and assistance with vocational rehabilitation and employment services. P&A also provides beneficiaries with advocacy or other services needed in obtaining or regaining employment. P&A Services ! Information and referrals to help beneficiaries find or return to work What is the Protection & Advocacy for Voter Accessibility (PAVA) Program? The purpose of the PAVA Program is to provide services, education, training and advocacy to individuals with disabilities to ensure the full participation of individuals with disabilities in the electoral process. The PAVA Program provides information to persons with disabilities regarding their legal rights pertaining to voting. The PAVA Program also assists with questions or complaints pertaining to physical accessibility of polling places and identifying potential modifications to make specific polling places accessible. The PAVA Program assists with training and education of election officials, poll workers, election volunteers and others regarding the rights and needs of persons with disabilities and best practices in working with individuals with disabilities. The PAVA Program helps with implementation of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA),ncluding participation in the state of Wyoming HAVA Advisory Board and its various subcommittees. How Will the PAVA Program Decide Whether to Provide Representation? In deciding whether P&A can represent you directly, the PAVA Program of P&A will consider: ! qualifying disability What is the Protection & Advocacy for Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury (PATBI) Program? The major goal of this program is to assure that individuals with traumatic brain injury receive appropriate services and supports within their own communities. This program provides advocacy services to individuals with traumatic brain injury through information, referral, outreach, training, self-advocacy assistance, individual and systemic advocacy. The PATBI Program investigates complaints and informs people about their civil rights and ways to enforce those rights. The PATBI Program also represents people with traumatic brain injuries in meetings, negotiation sessions, and in administrative and judicial proceedings. How Will the PATBI Program Decide Whether to Provide Representation? In deciding whether P&A can represent you directly, the PATBI Program of P&A will consider: ! qualifying disability
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