COVER 2020 Annual Report Pg. 2 MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND BOARD PRESIDENT We Inform. We Empower. We Advocate. In a year like no other, Disability Rights Michigan (formerly Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service, Inc.) faced challenges presented by the global pandemic. While much of the world stopped, our mission to protect individuals with disabilities never faltered. 2020 tested expectations and what it truly means to deliver our expertise and resources to the community. It also established how DRM can and should operate in a crisis. As we confronted obstacles this year, we remained focused on our mission and core values. Our team continued to deliver solutions to address our clients’ most urgent needs, both immediate and long-term. Our advocacy was not possible without our staff’s dedication and successful adjustment to home-based work during the pandemic. We are proud of their commitment and flexibility, especially during challenging circumstances. 2020 taught us that our agency, our clients, and our state are capable of much more than we previously thought. Thank you for your continued support. Michelle Photo Caption: Michelle Roberts Executive Director John Photo Caption: John McCulloch Board of Directors President Pg. 3 Our Work $2.00 legislated hourly pay increase to direct care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic $20 million increase for home nursing services under the MI-Choice program 65,000 children and youth who may receive better crisis services under the KB settlement 17,394 people reached through voter rights/engagement 470 hours of compensatory education from DRM complaints 4,712 calls to DRM Information and Referral advocates 16 abuse/neglect complaints resulting in sanctions against nurses and administrators 436 people who had home and community-based services reinstated 7,987 online views of “Students with Disabilities: An Advocate’s Guide” 2,705 Facebook friends 30 virtual monitoring visits in all 5 state psychiatric hospitals 23,922 publications distributed Pg. 4 and 5 Our Stories 1. The parent of a 13-year-old with cerebral palsy called requesting assistance in getting her son appropriate, medically necessary services from a suburban community mental health (CMH) program. DRM negotiated an increase in nursing respite service, which resulted in the CMH approving the client for additional nursing respite hours and provided the family with a break from caregiving. 2. A customer of the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) was trying to start her own computer gaming business. The BSBP counselor closed the case and refused to assist the client with her business expenses, believing the business would not generate enough income to sustain a living. A DRM Client Assistance Program (CAP) advocate worked with the counselor and client to re-open the case with BSBP. In addition to re-opening the case, the counselor offered the client a position as a BSBP vendor. 3. DRM successfully represented an individual in an appeal of her denial of 24/7 staffing support from Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) that she needed to attend college. That client can now continue to attend University and pursue her post-secondary educational goals. 4. A 20-year-old with intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy and speech impairments needed to receive the appropriate community living and respite services that had been authorized but suspended due to the lack of a provider. DRM represented the client in legal action to get those services, and obtained a favorable settlement of the case in federal court. 5. A woman needed more space in her subsidized apartment for medical equipment related to rehabilitation, and also needed help filling out applications for reasonable accommodations. The DRM advocate provided the woman with appropriate referrals and, through those referrals, the woman received assistance from public and private organizations to request the larger apartment. 6. DRM assisted a client with a developmental disability that made it extremely difficult to pass the General Educational Development (GED) Test. He had been repeatedly required to participate in GED testing without accommodations for his disability, and his failure to pass resulted in the client being prohibited from receiving a work assignment. With DRM assistance, the client was able to obtain the accommodations needed to pass the GED and obtain a semi-skilled labor assignment. 7. The mother of a 6-year-old girl with Adjustment Disorder contacted DRM for assistance because the school district had placed the client on a shortened day and moved her to a self-contained program for that reduced day. DRM filed a state special education complaint on multiple violations of federal and state education law. The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) found the District noncompliant in all areas and determined the district had denied the student a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). MDE ordered 50 hours of compensatory services for the student. Pg. 6 TOGETHER WE CAN DO SO MUCH MORE SUPPORT us through cash donations. Support for DRM comes in part from the generosity of our donors. LIKE us on Facebook to stay up to date with our latest news. SIGN UP. Don’t miss our monthly e-newsletter. Email rhuddleston@drmich.org to sign up. SHARE our story. Tell others about the services DRM can offer. DRM is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization Pg. 7 9 PROGRAMS OPERATED BY DISABILITY RIGHTS MICHIGAN The Protection and Advocacy for: 1. Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (PADD) 2. Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) 3. Individual Rights (PAIR) 4. The Client Assistance Program (CAP) 5. Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) 6. Voting Accessibility (PAVA) 7. Assistive Technology (PAAT) 8. Beneficiaries with Representative Payees (PABRP) 9. Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (PATBI) Grant Awards & Support 2020 Percent PADD $1,000,882 23.1% PAIMI $869,127 20.1% PAIR/GLADA $466,867 10.8% CAP $332,991 7.7% PAAT $119,360 2.8% PABSS $163,605 3.78% PAVA $130,108 3.0% Rep Payee $903,496 20.9% PATBI $94,608 2.2% State Grant $194,400 4.5% Private Grants & Contracts 0.0% Donations & Miscellaneous $53,824 1.2% $4,329,268 100.0% Expenses 2020 Program Services $3,847,811 Management & General $475,878 $4,323,689 Pg.8 BACK PAGE DRM Logo 4095 Legacy Parkway Lansing, MI 48911 517.487.1755 ? 800.288.5923 (Voice) 517.374.4687 (TTY) Fax 517.487.0827 www.drmich.org Find us on Facebook 2020 Board of Directors John McCulloch President Royal Oak Hansen Clarke 1st Vice President Detroit Jane Shank 2nd Vice President Interlochen Mark Stephenson Treasurer Troy Paul Palmer Secretary Lansing Thomas H. Landry Immediate Past President Highland Pamela Bellamy, Ph.D. East Lansing Alethea Brinkerhoff Bloomfield Hills Selena M. Schmidt Shelby Township Mark Wiedelman Troy Melody Arabo West Bloomfield Jill Busha Alpena Brian Calley Portland Davin Hemmila Negaunee 2020 PAIMI Advisory Council Malkia Newman, Chair Waterford Marie Jackson, Vice-chair Southfield Selena M. Schmidt Shelby Township Jill Busha Alpena Kelly Riegel-Green Clinton Township Kevin Fischer Plymouth Mark Reinstein Ann Arbor Davin Hemmila Negaunee Amanda Absher Spring Lake Lois Shulman West Bloomfield *Disability Rights Michigan is mandated by federal and state law to protect the legal rights of individuals with disabilities in Michigan. DRM receives part of its funding from the Administration for Community Living, the Center for Mental Health Services-Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Rehabilitation Services Administration, and the Social Security Administration. This publication is made possible by support from these federal funders. The contents are solely the responsibility of DRM and do not necessarily represent the official views of the federal agencies listed above. The Annual Report is funded by the federal appropriations and grants, 94%; State of Michigan appropriations and grants, 5%; Other, 1%. Total copies 250. Total Cost: $734.51 Cost per issue: $2.94.