There are many legitimate times that persons receiving services in the State have rights problems. That is true, but also, with this fairly new Organization reporting only to the Governor (?) currently, abuses also occur where families, Guardians, or others pick up a phone and call VOPA before attempting to work things out with Social Workers, Directors, and other persons dealing with their loved ones daily in State facilities. It can become a power trip I believe for some persons to have one phone call make a lot of people jump over something that could have been solved, or a concern addressed without calling a lawyer, which is like an implied threat. A person with experience and a developmental background in teaching, special education, or related fields could intercede and look into matters to assure that full services by VOPA were needed.

On another line related to this, I believe more LAR's, AR's, and such should be vetted much like our politicians to make sure they don't have some background that would make them less good choices to represent person who need representation in State facilities. Person's can write wills, or name family members or others to take over reviewing their loved ones lives and these wishes are usually followed; however, while most times the person is a good choice, I think further investigations should be done in background checks for felonies or other crimes, or for the mental state of those who are chosen, especially when a parent passes away and a new representative is needed. Perhaps VOPA could do that as a service.