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May 24, 2022
To: Any and All Legal Guardians of Residents of Cottonwood Creek Behavioral Hospital
RE: DisAbility Rights Idaho – Monitoring Visit to Cottonwood Creek Behavioral Hospital
Dear Guardian:
DRI is Idaho’s Protection and Advocacy System (P&A). Each state’s P & A is part of a federally mandated system with the authority and obligation to protect and advocate for the human and legal rights of individuals with developmental disabilities, mental illness and/or other disabilities. Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (PADD), 42 U.S.C. § 15001, et seq.; Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act (PAIMI), 42 U.S.C. §10801; and, Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR), 20 U.S.C. §794e. Since our establishment in 1977, we have visited facilities/service providers across the state to monitor the rights and safety of individuals with disabilities, as well as to provide information to individuals with disabilities about our organization.
DRI has scheduled to conduct monitoring activities at Cottonwood Creek Behavioral Hospital from July 11th to July 13th, 2022. DRI also has authority to educate individuals with disabilities about their rights and available P&A services. Thus, as part of our monitoring, DRI intends to speak with participants and staff in order to educate participants regarding their rights as well as provide information on services available from DRI and other appropriate referrals. We will also be observing the general atmosphere and environment of the facility to monitor for compliance regarding safety and clients’ rights.
If you should have any questions or concerns about this, please feel free to contact us at 1-866-262-3462.
Respectfully,
Joseph A. Earnest, Esq.
Attorney – Adult Unit