West Virginia Advocates's Brochure

West Virginia Advocates' (WVA) brochure (PDF)

West Virginia Advocates' (WVA) brochure (Large Print, PDF)

Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities Since 1977

800-950-5250

Who we are

West Virginia Advocates, Inc (WVA) is a private non-profit agency dedicated to protecting and advocating for the legal rights of West Virginians with disabilities. We are designated as West Virginia's Protection and Advocacy System (P&A). Every State is mandated by the Federal government to have a P&A.

WVA works to ensure that West Virginians with disabilities have access to the same opportunities afforded all members of society, and can live full, productive lives totally integrated into their communities with as much self-direction and independence as possible.

WVA collaborates to promote systemic and policy change to increase access to services, promote equality, and protect legal rights.

WVA services are confidential and free of charge.

We help people with disabilities by:

• giving information and providing referrals
• investigating abuse and neglect
• providing direct advocacy
• providing training on self-advocacy
• providing legal representation
• engaging in systemic advocacy and
• litigation

We do not provide legal representation for:

• issues of family or criminal law
• bankruptcy
• probate of an estate
• personal injury
• eligibility for Social Security benefits
• guardianship
• non-disability issues

Intake Process

1. Contact WVA to request our services:
   • Phone: 1 (800) 950-5250
   • E-Mail: contact@wvadvocates.org
   • Mail: 1207 Quarrier St Ste 400, Charleston, WV 25301
2. An intake advocate will make all reasonable efforts to contact you within three business days to do an intake. They will then present your request for services to the Intake Review Committee.
3. The Intake Review Committee meets weekly to review all requests and determine what services WVA can offer you. You will receive a letter containing the Intake Review Committee's decision once your request has been reviewed.

Note: Service requests identified as an emergency that are received during the normal business hours are processed immediately if they are related to abuse and neglect allegations involving imminent danger; life-threatening emergencies; and termination of services, evictions, and hearings occurring within 7 days.

Types of Services

• Abuse/Neglect Investigation
• Information and referral
• Technical assistance in self-advocacy
• Short term assistance
• Representation at meetings
• Representation at hearings
• Litigation

Notice

WVA serves individuals with disabilities including persons with mental health, developmental, intellectual, and physical disabilities, as well as traumatic brain injury. WVA's Intake Department will provide Information and Referral services to anyone who requests assistance. WVA's acceptance of direct advocacy and legal cases is determined by a variety of criteria including disability related eligibility criteria established by our funders, our current priorities and objectives, as well as available resources. Due to limited resources, we cannot provide everyone who requests our services with direct advocacy or legal representation.

Funding

This brochure is funded by: U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Developmental Disabilities; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration; and the Social Security Administration. Alternate formats available upon request. Ver 3.0