Systemic Issues
Advocacy, Inc. advocates for individuals with disabilities through individual casework or systemic advocacy. The Policy Services Unit (PSU) exists to monitor current and developing policies, regulations, or legislation that impact individuals on a state wide basis. Issues may be identified through casework being performed by regional services staff when it becomes clear that the situation is not specific to one individual or region and may be the result of a problem with policy or regulations.
Members of the Policy Services Unit participate in educating legislators and their staff on issues or proposed legislation that impact individuals with a disability. PSU staff also monitor the implementation of legislation, regulations or policy through the various state agencies that have a responsibility for providing services to individuals with disabilities. Those state agencies include but are not limited to HHSC, DSHS, DADS, TRC, TEA, DARS, juvenile justice and criminal justice agencies. PSU staff activities include: analyzing regulations and programs in an effort to identify and recommend revisions or the development of new regulations and/or programs, participation on state agency workgroups or advisory committees and providing testimony to policy makers to raise awareness about issues that need to be addressed.