9 Federal Programs
DRSD is designated by the Governor to provide protection and advocacy services to eligible persons with disabilities in South Dakota. DRSD provides services ranging from information and referral to case advocacy and legal representation. DRSD consists of nine component programs, each serving a distinct population based on federal legislative mandates and program priorities (priorities change yearly – areas listed below within each program are typical examples, but may not be a priority area in the current fiscal year):
PADD
Protection & Advocacy Developmental Disabilities Program
Assisting individuals with developmental disabilities in a number of areas that may include, but are not limited to, special education, abuse and neglect, entitlement programs, discrimination, and technical assistance in estate planning.
PAIR
Protection & Advocacy of Individual Rights Program
Assisting individuals with disabilities who are not eligible for the PADD, PAIMI, or other DRSD programs, including CAP clients who are in need of services beyond the scope of the CAP program, in areas that may include, but are not limited to, transportation, housing, education, entitlement programs, abuse and neglect, and public accommodations.
PAIMI
Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Program
Assisting individuals with a mental illness or emotional impairment who are in the process of being transported or admitted to or residing in a facility providing care or treatment, who are living in a community setting including their own home, or who are involuntarily confined in a municipal detention facility for reasons other than serving a sentence resulting from a criminal offense, in areas of abuse, neglect, and rights violations.
CAP
Client Assistance Program
Assisting individuals who are clients or client applicants of any program, project, or community rehabilitation program authorized under the Rehabilitation Act and providing information regarding Title I of the Americans With Disabilities Act.
PABSS
Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security Program
Assisting recipients of Social Security Administration benefits (SSI/SSDI) by providing information and advice about vocational rehabilitation and providing services related to securing, maintaining or regaining employment.
PAAT
Protection and Advocacy Assistive Technology Program
Assisting individuals with assistive technology needs in obtaining needed assistive technology devices and services.
PATBI
Protection and Advocacy Traumatic Brain Injury Program
Assisting individuals with traumatic brain injury and their families with information, referrals and advice; individual and family advocacy; legal representation; and specific assistance in self-advocacy.
PAVA
Protection and Advocacy Voting Access Program
Assisting individuals with disabilities with education, training, and other assistance including representation to fully participate in the electoral process and assist in the development of a knowledgeable cadre of persons responsible for planning and conducting voting in South Dakota.
PABRP
Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries with Representative Payees Program
Since August 2018, the Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Network received funding to conduct reviews on rep payee performance on behalf of the Social Security Administration (SSA). This program provides oversight to rep payees and their services to beneficiaries as well as giving them support to better understand their role and responsibilities.