Adult Advocacy Services
The Delaware County Advocacy & Resource Organization’s Adult Advocacy services provide information & referral, individual advocacy and systems advocacy regarding issues of adult community life. Those core issues in adult advocacy include functional supports and services, social supports, employment and housing, health care, benefits, and the quality of community life. The adult advocate assists individuals and families in accessing the resources needed to support meaningful community life for adults with developmental disabilities. Self-determination is a guiding principle of the Delaware County Advocacy & Resource Organization’s Adult Advocacy services. CONTACT US »
Adult Advocacy FAQ's
What exactly does an Adult Advocate do?
The Adult Advocate works with students who are transitioning out of school and into the adult Intellectual Disability system. The Adult Advocate also works with individuals who are currently receiving services from the adult system of the Intellectual Disability world. The Advocate educates individuals and families about the various services available, assists with necessary paperwork in order to apply for or to enhance services, provides resources and referrals, and acts as a liaison between the family/individual and team and services. The Adult Advocate will also assist the individual/family with making contact to various entities including The Social Security Administration, County Assistance Office, Office of Intellectual Disabilities, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, and more. Part of the role of the Adult Advocate is to take some of the burden off of families of individuals with intellectual disabilities and to advocate on their behalf.
What can't an Adult Advocate do?
Provide direct legal or medical advice. The Adult Advocate can provide resources and referrals for those services should a family request them.
What should I expect from my Adult Advocate?
Individualized and person-centered planning. Timely communication, and a constant effort towards accomplishing designated goals. You should expect the Advocate to work with team members and systems to find the best services available to fit the needs of each individual and to pursue securing those services.
Why does Adult Advocacy work?
Many families/individuals feel overwhelmed with the various systems and processes they have to face in the adult intellectual disability world. Adult Advocacy works because it helps these families/individuals learn how to ask the "right" questions; teaches them how to advocate for themselves for future services; and connects them to an agency (the Delaware County Advocacy & Resource Organization) that will follow the individual's progress and needs throughout the course of their life.
Do I have to pay for Adult Advocacy services?
No! All Adult Advocacy services provided by the Delaware County Advocacy & Resource Organization are provided at no cost to the individual or their family.
The Adult Advocate works with students who are transitioning out of school and into the adult Intellectual Disability system. The Adult Advocate also works with individuals who are currently receiving services from the adult system of the Intellectual Disability world. The Advocate educates individuals and families about the various services available, assists with necessary paperwork in order to apply for or to enhance services, provides resources and referrals, and acts as a liaison between the family/individual and team and services. The Adult Advocate will also assist the individual/family with making contact to various entities including The Social Security Administration, County Assistance Office, Office of Intellectual Disabilities, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, and more. Part of the role of the Adult Advocate is to take some of the burden off of families of individuals with intellectual disabilities and to advocate on their behalf.
What can't an Adult Advocate do?
Provide direct legal or medical advice. The Adult Advocate can provide resources and referrals for those services should a family request them.
What should I expect from my Adult Advocate?
Individualized and person-centered planning. Timely communication, and a constant effort towards accomplishing designated goals. You should expect the Advocate to work with team members and systems to find the best services available to fit the needs of each individual and to pursue securing those services.
Why does Adult Advocacy work?
Many families/individuals feel overwhelmed with the various systems and processes they have to face in the adult intellectual disability world. Adult Advocacy works because it helps these families/individuals learn how to ask the "right" questions; teaches them how to advocate for themselves for future services; and connects them to an agency (the Delaware County Advocacy & Resource Organization) that will follow the individual's progress and needs throughout the course of their life.
Do I have to pay for Adult Advocacy services?
No! All Adult Advocacy services provided by the Delaware County Advocacy & Resource Organization are provided at no cost to the individual or their family.