Envoy On-Line
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by Annaliza Torres
June 30, 2003
Resource Advocates are the people at WPAS who provide information and
referrals over the phone to people with disabilities who ask for help.
Resource Advocates take hundreds of calls every month
from people with disabilities and their families. Below are some of the stories
that resulted from those calls.
Health Care Coverage
A caller who receives (Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits
sought assistance in keeping her health care coverage because her current
provider was eliminating her coverage. The Resource Advocate provided general
information on the various health care programs administered by DSHS
Medical Assistance Administration
and sent information about these programs. The Resource Advocate provided
specific information and referral on how to apply for the
Healthcare for Workers with
Disabilities program (Washington state's Medicaid Buy-In). The Resource
Advocate explained and sent information about
Ticket to Work and
work incentives. The Resource Advocate sent information about
WPAS legislative efforts in creating
mental health parity and protecting the Healthcare for Workers with
Disabilities program from the proposed state budget cuts. With this information
and technical assistance in self advocacy, this client has information about the
various health care programs and referrals for further assistance in navigating
through the system. The client also has information should she choose to
participate in future legislative efforts.
A Good Night's Sleep
Patients on the forensic unit at Western State Hospital complained to WPAS
that hospital staff disturb their sleep and wake them up by shining a bright
flashlight in their faces during the nightly checks. The Resource Advocate
reported this practice to the appropriate contact person at the hospital, who in
turn discussed the situation with a nursing supervisor. Soon, staff were
instructed to stop this practice and now use a smaller flashlight and avoid
shining them on the faces of the residents.
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