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RSA-227 for FY-2025: Submission #8

District of Columbia
09/30/2025
General Information
Designated Agency Identification
Disability Rights DC at University Legal Services
220 I Street, N.E.
Suite 130
Washington
DC
20002
https://www.uls-dc.org
202-547-0198
202-547-2657
877- 221-4638
N/A
202-547-2662
Operating Agency (if different from Designated Agency)
Additional Information
Sandy Bernstein
Sandy Bernstein
202-547-0198 ext. 117
sbernstein@uls-dc.org
Part I. Non-case Services
A. Information and Referral Services (I&R)
10
0
0
0
0
0
10
B. Training Activities
23
530
DRDC presented to transition-age youth at two different DC public high schools about their right to transition services and the supports available to them in the community when they leave high school. DRDC explained the vocational rehabilitation services available from the DC Rehabilitation Services Administration (DCRSA), how to access those services, and the assistance DRDC can provide.

DRDC presented twice to different groups of transition-age youth enrolled with Project Search about the services available from DCRSA, how to access those services, and the services DRDC can provide.

DRDC moderated a session at the DC Employment First Summit, sponsored by the DC Developmental Disabilities Council, on the rights of employees with disabilities. DRDC also tabled at the event and spoke to many transition-age youth and adults with disabilities about the vocational rehabilitation services from DCRSA and the services DRDC can provide if they have issues with their services.

DRDC presented at nine monthly Project Action meetings about the right to quality vocational rehabilitation services from DCRSA and how DRDC can assist people if Project Action members have issues with their services. Project Action is a large self-advocacy group comprised of people with developmental disabilities.

DRDC presented to attorneys who are appointed to represent District of Columbia residents with intellectual disabilities, Included in DRDC’s presentation was discussion about the vocational services available from the DCRSA and how to address issues if they arise.

DRDC presented to law students working in DC legal service agencies about working with diverse populations. In addition to other topics, DRDC discussed presuming competence when representing people with disabilities, the ability of people with disabilities to work and live in the community and the services that can support them to do so.

DRDC presented at a training sponsored by the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and George Mason University to transition-age-youth regarding their right to quality vocational rehabilitation services and the assistance DRDC can provide if they have issues with their services.

DRDC presented to parents of transition-age youth who attend non-public schools for students with disabilities. DRDC presented on Pre-Employment Transition Services and the vocational rehabilitation services available from DCRSA, including funding for post-secondary education and training programs.

DRDC presented to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who attend a Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waiver day program about the vocational rehabilitation services available from DCRSA.

DRDC presented three times to transition-age youth hospitalized at the Psychiatric Institute of Washington and Children’s Hospital about Pre-Employment Transition Services, the vocational rehabilitation services available from DCRSA and how to access them.

DRDC presented to parents of transition-age students with disabilities, teachers and school administrators at a DC public high school about the vocational rehabilitation services available from DCRSA and the legal assistance DRDC can provide.

DRDC tabled at the DC Center for Independent Living’s Consumer and Youth Forum and spoke to transition-age youth and adults with disabilities about vocational rehabilitation services, how to access such services and how to address barriers to employment.

DRDC tabled at an evening school event at a DC public school only serving students with disabilities and spoke with parents and youth about resources available in the community, including vocational rehabilitation services available from DCRSA.

DRDC tabled at School Talk’s Voices for Change conference, which was attended by a large number of high school students with various disabilities. DRDC spoke to the youth about our services and options for post-secondary education and employment from DCRSA when they leave high school.

DRDC tabled at an event at a DC public charter school for students with disabilities and spoke to parents of transition-age youth about Pre-Employment Transition Services and the vocational services available from the DCRSA.

DRDC attended and tabled at Back to School Nights at eight different DC public high schools and provided information to parents about vocational rehabilitation services available from DCRSA, how to access such services and the legal assistance DRDC can provide.

DRDC tabled at DC's Olmstead Community Integration conference, held at a DC psychiatric hospital, and spoke to people with mental illness and community members about the services in DC, including the vocational rehabilitation services available from DCRSA and how DRDC can provide assistance if they have issues with their services.



C. Agency Outreach
DRDC conducts outreach and training in all areas of the District of Columbia to educate District residents on the vocational rehabilitation services available and how to access them. We conduct outreach at day programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and at monthly meetings of Project Action, a large self advocacy group comprised of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Many individuals who attend day programs and many members of Project Action are unable to read and/or not comfortable with technology so conducting in-person outreach is critical.

DRDC also ensures that we reach underserved individuals in psychiatric hospitals and educate them about the vocational rehabilitation services available. This year, DRDC conducted outreach at two different psychiatric hospitals serving transition-age youth. DRDC also educated youth at an out-of-state facility for transition-age youth about DC's vocational rehabilitation services, services they were unaware of and were excited to learn about. In addition, DRDC conducted outreach at a conference at St. Elizabeths Hospital, a psychiatric hospital serving adults and informed them of the services available to them to help them in becoming employed.

This year, DRDC reached out to many schools to conduct outreach at their Back-to-School nights, especially schools with a majority of minority and low income transition-age youth. DRDC did this to reach as many underserved individuals as possible. DRDC was able to table at eight different Back-to-School nights and spoke to many parents who were unaware of the vocational rehabilitation services and Pre-Employment Transition services available in the District for students with disabilities.

In addition to all of the above outreach, DRDC translates all of our outreach materials into Spanish and other languages upon request.


D. Information Disseminated To The Public By Your Agency
0
0
0
400
14
0
N/A
E. Information Disseminated About Your Agency By External Media Coverage
The DC Rehabilitation Services Administration (DCRSA) includes information about CAP on their application for services and on denial notices when a DCRSA client is denied a vocational rehabilitation service.
Part II. Individual Case Services
A. Individuals served
2
7
9
2
2
B. Problem areas
3
9
9
0
0
9
1
0
0
0
C. Intervention Strategies for closed cases
2
0
6
0
2
0
0
10
D. Reasons for closing individuals' case files
7
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
N/A
E. Results achieved for individuals
3
0
0
0
6
0
1
0
0
0
N/A
Part III. Program Data
A. Age
0
2
3
2
2
9
B. Gender
5
4
0
0
9
C. Race/ethnicity of Individuals Served
0
0
1
5
0
2
1
0
D. Primary disabling condition of individuals served
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
E. Types of Individuals Served
0
0
12
1
0
0
Part IV. Systemic Activities and Litigation
A. Non-Litigation Systemic Activities
2
CAP testified before the DC City Council at the Performance Oversight Hearing for the Department on Disability Services (DDS) regarding the concerning number of DCRSA clients that exit DCRSA without gaining employment, and the need for DCRSA to increase their outreach to transition-age youth, particularly youth in Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTFs) and Residential Treatment Centers (RTCs). CAP also participated in bi-monthly State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) meetings, and brought the current lack of services for youth in PRTFs and RTCs to DCRSA's attention. As a result of this advocacy at the SRC and before the DC City Council, a DCRSA counselor was assigned to PRTFs and RTCs and has started doing outreach and providing vocational rehabilitation services to youth in these centers.

Also through the SRC, CAP advocated for DCRSA to implement a new mediation program as a due process appeal option for DCRSA clients. Currently, a DCRSA client can only access mediation after filing for a hearing at the D.C. Office of Administrative Hearings. Individuals have to navigate a legally complex system, and may have to respond to a motion to dismiss before being able to bring their issue before a neutral third party mediator. As a result of CAP's advocacy, the Director of DDS (the Mayoral agency housing DCRSA) agreed to implement a new mediation program where clients can file for mediation separately from a hearing. The Director of DDS stated that he was in the process of implementing a Memorandum of Understanding with the DC Office of Administrative Hearings for a mediation program, and it is estimated to be ready in Fiscal Year 2026.

CAP is the Chairperson of the Policy, Planning, and Review Committee on the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC). Through this committee, CAP provided comments and suggestions for DCRSA's Intake policy, Case Transfer Policy, and Conflict of Interest Declaration (these policies have not been finalized). DRDC also joined the Consumer Advocacy Committee on the SRC and started work on creating a client satisfaction survey that DCRSA will use to gather more input from clients and improve its services.






B. Litigation
0
0
0
DRDC has not engaged in systemic litigation activities this fiscal year.
Part V. Agency Information
A. Designated Agency
External-Protection and Advocacy agency
Disability Rights DC at University Legal Services
No
B. Staff Employed
Executive Director (professional, full-time, partially funded by CAP): Jane Brown is the Executive Director of University Legal Services (ULS). She supervises all employees and grants in the agency. Less than one percent of her salary was billed to the CAP grant in FY25.

Chief Financial Officer (professional, full-time, partially funded by CAP): Lan Ji is the Chief Financial Officer for ULS and is responsible for budgeting for ULS, including the CAP grant. She also supervises the accounting and billing for ULS. Two percent of her salary was billed to the CAP grant in FY25.

Legal Director (professional, full-time, partially funded by CAP): Sandy Bernstein is the Legal Director at Disability Rights DC (DRDC) at University Legal Services and supervises all of the legal and policy work for the agency, including the CAP work. She closely supervises the Staff Attorneys who handle the CAP cases and advocacy, handles a small number of CAP cases herself and conducts some of the CAP trainings and outreach. Eleven percent of her salary was billed to the CAP grant in FY25.

Staff Attorney (professional, full-time, partially funded by CAP): Chloe Peeples is the lead CAP Staff Attorney at DRDC. She represents a majority of the CAP clients and is responsible for a majority of the CAP policy initiatives. She conducts outreach and trainings for the CAP program. She is an appointed and active member of the State Rehabilitation Council. Forty-one percent of her salary was billed to the CAP grant in FY25.

Staff Attorney (professional, full-time, partially funded by CAP): Elizabeth Myerholtz is a Staff Attorney at DRDC. She is responsible for representing a small number of CAP clients and also conducting some outreach and trainings. Four percent of her salary was billed to the CAP grant in FY25.

Both Chloe Peeples and Elizabeth Myerholtz were out on extended parental leave in FY25 so the CAP program was very short staffed for many months. Ms. Peeples was out on leave from mid-December 2024 through mid-May 2025 and Ms. Myerholtz was out on leave from early February 2025 through mid-July 2025.

Law Clerk (professional, part-time, partially funded by CAP): Caitlin Holbrook is a law clerk at DRDC. She assisted with representation of CAP clients and outreach when Ms. Peeples and Mr. Myerholtz were out on parental leave. Seven percent of her part-time hours was billed to the CAP grant in FY25.

Communications Associate (professional, full-time, partially funded by CAP): Kaya Crosby is the Communications Associate at ULS and is responsible for developing and implementing ULS’ communications plan including creating and updating ULS’ social media account. Two percent of her salary was billed to the CAP grant in FY25.

Intake Specialist (clerical, full-time, partially funded by CAP): Olivia Bynum is the Intake Specialist for DRDC and is responsible for handling the requests for legal assistance and for opening and closing cases. Six percent of her salary was billed to the CAP grant in FY25.

Receptionist (clerical, full-time, partially funded by CAP): Michelle Beard is the receptionist for ULS and is responsible for answering the phones and directing callers to attorneys, advocates and the Intake Specialist. She also distributes mail to staff and send out outgoing mail. Five percent of her salary was billed to the CAP grant in FY25.

Accounting Assistant: (clerical, full-time, partially billed to CAP): Nakia Montgomery is ULS' Accounting Assistant and is responsible for the office’s billing, including the billing for the CAP grant. Two percent of her salary was billed to the CAP grant in FY25.
Part VI. Case Examples
Case Examples
DRDC represented a 67-year-old woman with an intellectual disability who was employed in janitorial services and received supported employment services from the DC Rehabilitation Services Administration (DCRSA). DCRSA funded a job coach to be with her during her employment hours to assist her with staying on task and to address some of her challenging and disruptive behaviors. During this fiscal year, the client's hours were cut and she was not able to work for a period of time. When her employer reinstated her hours, upper management at DCRSA announced that they would stop providing her with a job coach, stating she could work without one. Despite the fact that this service was listed on her IPE, no written notice was provided to the client explaining the agency's rationale or providing her with her due process appeal rights. The team, including her employer, all agreed that she needed a job coach and her employer stated she would not be allowed to continue her employment without one due to behavior she had exhibited on the job. DCRSA provided no evidence to back-up their claim that she no longer needed a job coach. DRDC, along with the client's provider and conservator, advocated in writing and in meetings for the client's right to a job coach, based on her needs and also that she would lose her position without one. As a result, DCRSA reversed their position and agreed to provide a job coach. The client was thrilled to have the support she needed again at a job she is proud to have.

DRDC represented a 21-year-old college student with ADHD and other health conditions who attended a university in Pennsylvania. The client contacted DRDC when DCRSA gave notice that it would terminate its funding of his college tuition because his GPA had dropped below a 2.0 for more than one semester. DCRSA requires students to maintain at least a 2.0 GPA to receive continued funding. The student’s grades had suffered as a result of his heath conditions, which caused him to be hospitalized and caused fatigue and other side effects. DCRSA refused to pay his Spring 2025 semester and any semesters going forward. In addition, the university had referred the client to a collection agency for the overdue tuition. Without DCRSA’s financial contribution, the client would need to drop out of college. DRDC represented the client in an informal administrative review, arguing a reasonable accommodation should be made to their policy due the health issues he experienced, that his health was better now and he had sought tutoring to assist him. DRDC also pointed out that the U.S. Department of Education had agreed to continue his grants, even though he had a low GPA, due to his health conditions. DRDC’s advocacy was successful and DCRSA reversed their decision. DCRSA provided funding for the client’s Spring 2025 semester and contacted the university to stop the collections agency from proceeding.

DRDC represented a 72-year-old blind female who received a letter from her DCRSA counselor that her case would be closed because she was not following the instructions of the DCRSA employment coordinator. The client had been attempting to work with the employment coordinator, but the employment coordinator was not assisting the client in finding and applying to jobs. The client was very motivated to find work and to become employed, but she needed more support throughout the job application and interview process, and she was not receiving that support from DCRSA. The client had requested an informal administrative review, and when DRDC requested the client's records from DCRSA, the client's case was reopened by the DCRSA Program Manager before a meeting could be held. DRDC requested a team meeting and in the meeting requested an outside vendor be assigned to assist the client with job placement. The team agreed, and job placement services with an outside vendor were added to the client's IPE.

DRDC represented a 26-year-old female with Bardet-Biedl Syndrome who received a "No Contact" letter from her DCRSA counselor that threatened to close her case. The counselor sent the No Contact letter after one week of attempting to schedule a meeting, where the client and her mother responded to the counselor that they could not make the suggested meeting time. The client was having difficulty communicating with her DCRSA counselor because she felt her counselor was not taking into account that she has a developmental disability and requires more support and explanation throughout the process. The client was very confused about what was supposed to happen in the process with DCRSA and didn't feel that her counselor was explaining the steps to her. DRDC scheduled the comprehensive assessment and IPE meeting with the DCRSA counselor. At the meeting, the comprehensive assessment was completed, the client chose an employment goal of Customer Service but made it clear that she still wanted to explore career options. The client was also connected with the DC Center for Independent Living to assist her in obtaining a personal care aide, which was very important to the client.
Certification
Reports are to be submitted to RSA within 90 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report. Please be reminded that you can enter data directly into the RSA website via the internet. Information on transmittal of the form is found on pages 19 and 20 of the reporting instructions.
Name and Title of Authorized Certifying Official
I agree to submit this form by electronic means. By signing this form electronically, I certify under penalty of perjury that my answers are correct and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that an electronic signature has the same legal meaning and can be enforced in the same way as a written signature.
Sandy Bernstein
Legal Director
Yes
2025-11-24
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