RD25 - Annual Report of the Board for Protection and Advocacy


Executive Summary:
Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy (VOPA) was created by statute effective July 2002, by § 51.5-39.2 of the Code of Virginia. July 2007 marks the fifth year of operation of VOPA and the Board, which governs its operations.

The Board of VOPA, consisting of eleven members, is appointed according to § 51.5-39.2 of the Code of Virginia and, as required by statute, met quarterly.

During the last year, the Board has implemented a number of new organizational initiatives, to better carry out its statutory obligations. Most notably, the Board recently established a comprehensive committee system to pair expertise and passion with the requirements of the Board. The Committees, advisory in nature, include Board members, representatives of the disability councils and include staff representation.

With this committee structure providing expertise, substantial talent and resources and another avenue of consumer input, the Board has, among other things:

1. increased the amount and quality of fiscal oversight, including the development of VOPA-specific fiscal procedures;
2. improved the process for receiving and utilizing public input on VOPA's programs and activities;
3. improved the process of developing and reviewing internal operating policies;
4. developed a method for the receipt of public position statements for possible adoption.