Federally Funded Programs

Client Assistance Program (CAP)

Services include assistance in understanding and using vocational rehabilitation and independent living services under the federal Rehabilitation Act.

• Established as a mandatory program by the 1984 Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act
• Administered by the Rehabilitation Services Administration, U.S. Department of Education

Protection & Advocacy of Individual Rights (PAIR)

PAIR was established to protect and advocate for the legal and human rights of persons not covered by other programs – such as those with visual or hearing impairments or those with physical disabilities acquired as an adult.

• Established by Congress as a national program under the Rehabilitation Act in 1993
• Administered by the Rehabilitation Services Administration, U.S. Department of Education

Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI)

DRM protects and advocates for the rights of people with mental illness, and investigates abuse and neglect in facilities that care for or treat individuals with mental illness.

• Established by the PAIMI Act of 1986
• Administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (PATBI)

DRM provides advocacy services, information and referral, and self-advocacy training to individuals who face a loss of legal rights as a direct result of TBI; and works to increase and improve systems of support for people impacted by TBI.

• Created by the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Act, authorized as part of the Children’s Health Act of 2000
• Administered by the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Protection & Advocacy for Users of Assistive Technology (PAAT)

PAAT was established to “assist individuals with disabilities and their family members, guardians, advocates, and authorized representatives in accessing technology devices and assistive technology services” through case management, legal representation, and self-advocacy training.

• Created in 1994 when Congress expanded the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act (Tech Act)
• Administered by the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Protection & Advocacy for Voter Access (PAVA) 

PAVA was established to secure election access for a wide range of individuals with disabilities – including, but not limited to, individuals with mental, sensory, and physical disabilities – pursuant to Congress’ broad mandate to “ensure the full participation in the electoral process for individuals with disabilities, including registering to vote, casting a vote and accessing polling places.”

• Created in 2002 when Congress enacted the Help America Vote Act (HAVA)
• Administered by the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Protection & Advocacy for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PADD)

PADD funds information and assistance through legal, administrative, and other appropriate remedies under all applicable federal and state laws to protect and advocate for the rights of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

• Created by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights (DD) Act of 1975
• Administered by the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Protection & Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS)

PABSS staff advocates for Social Security beneficiaries who want to work. DRM can help you get workplace accommodations and assist you in accessing vocational rehabilitation services.

• Created by the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999
• Established to assist social security beneficiaries with disabilities in obtaining information and advice about receiving vocational rehabilitation and employment services; and to provide advocacy or other related services that beneficiaries may need to secure or regain gainful employment
• Administered by the Social Security Administration

Protection & Advocacy for Beneficiaries with Representative Payees (PABRP)

Under “The Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2018,” DRM will monitor individual and organizational representative payees who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for a person who is not capable of managing their own benefits.  Cases are assigned by Social Security. DRM helps ensure that benefits are being managed appropriately. Learn more about the Representatives Reviews.

Representative payee reviews involve an in-depth interview with each representative payee regarding their responsibilities and how beneficiaries’ SSDI or SSI benefits are managed. Some of the areas reviewed during a representative payee review include:

• Ensuring beneficiaries’ current needs (food, clothing, shelter, medical expenses, and personal items) are met.
• Using beneficiaries’ benefits to meet their needs;
• Reporting to Social Security any changes that may affect benefits; and,
• Retaining financial documentation (bank statements, ledgers, bills and statements, receipts, cancelled checks) for 2 years.

The PABRP grant is administered by the Social Security Administration.

Other Funds

DRM receives an annual state grant from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to provide intake, information and referral services.

DRM also receives private donations as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to conduct advocacy services.

DRM sometimes is awarded attorney’s fees as the result of litigation. These fees are used to do further work under the federal grant that generated the fees.