Who We Are, Who We Serve and What We Do
The purpose of the CHS Consumer Advocacy Department is to coordinate, link and connect individuals and families to resources and services as identified in the person centered planning process and to maintain best practices and relevant accreditations.
Admission Criteria
Consumer Advocacy is provided to individuals from age 3 through the adult lifespan. Individuals with qualifying disabilities are eligible to receive Consumer Advocacy from the Center for Human Services in two ways:
1. The individual must have a developmental disability which is attributable to a mental/intellectual or physical impairment which occurred before the age of 22. It must be determined that the the disability is likely to continue indefinitely AND that it results in a substantial functional limitation in two or more major life activities.
The Central Missouri Regional Office, Kansas City Regional Office, and the Springfield Regional Office are the local offices for the Division of Developmental Disability. It is their job to determine if someone meets the eligibility criteria. Once the Regional Office determines the person is eligible, they refer the individual to the Center for Human Services where a Consumer Advocate will be immediately assigned. Click here for more information on how to enroll with the Central Missouri Regional Office, Kansas City Regional Office, or the Springfield Regional Office.
2. An individual has an identifiable disability AND is found eligible to receive services through the adult programs that the Center for Human Services provides.
Services Provided
The role of a Consumer Advocacy Services Professional (CASP) is to help Coordinate, Link and Connect eligible individuals to resources and services as identified in the person-centered planning process. Upon referral and assignment of a CASP, the person and/or family/guardian will be contacted within 24 hours to begin services. The job of a CASP is to meet and talk with the individuals that we serve, their families/significant others and service providers to gather information in order to help develop each persons’ Individual Plan. The CASP will assist in identifying the person’s abilities, life goals, service and support needs and advocates for those needs to be met through a variety of formal and informal providers. Consumer Advocates locate resources, make referrals, monitor services that are being provided and help assure that the person’s Individual Plan is being implemented. Click here to learn more about our roles and services by reviewing the Consumer Advocacy Handbook. Click here for Consumer Advocacy Handbook in Spanish.
Referrals
For more information about Consumer Advocacy or any of our CHS services, please contact the following:
For Benton, Dallas, Hickory, Pettis or Saline Counties, Intake & Funding Coordinator, Sonia Setzer at 1500 Ewing Drive, Sedalia, MO 65301, 660-826-4400, ext#398 ssetzer@chs-mo.org
For Clay County, Jenny Snyder jsnyder@chs-mo.org or Linda Holland lholland@chs-mo.org at 816-736-9990
