RD62 - Annual Summary of the Interim Activities of the Board for the Office for Protection and Advocacy


Executive Summary:
The Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy (VOPA) is administered by an 11-member governing Board with two ex-officio members. The Board is appointed according to §51.5-39-2.The Board met quarterly and conducted business as required by statute. Two advisory councils, the Disability Advisory Council and the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Advisory Council are appointed by the Board. The Councils met quarterly and provided valuable input to the Board to ensure that the Board had a broad representation of viewpoints.

§51.5-39.7 creates ombudsman services for people with disabilities within VOPA. The Board decided to establish an ombudsman program focused on early childhood services for infants and toddlers with disabilities. The ombudsman program will be initiated when funds are appropriated for this purpose.