Community Living Ombudsman Program (CLOP)

The Community Living Ombudsman Program (CLOP) is a Louisiana network of trained advocates, known as Ombudsmen, who visit persons with developmental disabilities living in group or community homes.

 

Text that reads: Community Living Ombudsman Program (CLOP) The Community Living Ombudsman Program (CLOP) is a Louisiana network of trained advocates, known as Ombudsmen, who visit persons with developmental disabilities living in group or community homes. Ombudsmen are prepared to: Familiarize residents with their rights as persons with developmental disabilities and as persons living in community homes. Suggest measures to enhance quality of life in the group home Identify instances of abuse or neglect Train staff about the needs and rights of residents Provide referral information about community resources Initiate formal complaints when necessary. If you need help or have questions about Disability Rights Louisiana, call or visit us online: disabilityrightsla.org TOLL-FREE: 1-800-960-7705 (Voice or Via Relay) Follow us on social media: •facebook.com/disabilityrightsla •twitter.com/disabilityrtsla •instagram.com/disabilityrights Logo for Disability Rights Louisiana contains icons of two figures in green centered by one in blue, over the words “Protect. Advocate. Empower." Image of a man and woman with developmental disabilities smiling, together on their couch.

Ombudsmen are prepared to:

  • Familiarize residents with their rights as persons with developmental disabilities and as persons living in community homes.
  • Suggest measures to enhance quality of life in the group home
  • Identify instances of abuse or neglect
  • Train staff about the needs and rights of residents
  • Provide referral information about community resources
  • Initiate formal complaints when necessary

More Details:

CLOP was established in 1993 under state law. Certified CLOP ombudsmen visit all privately operated, state licensed, group and community homes (ICF/DD’s) in the state to assure quality of life for persons with developmental disabilities who reside there.

CLOP serves the entire state of Louisiana and is divided into ten regions. In each of these regions, ombudsmen regularly visit facilities and help residents with requests and grievances.

To be eligible for CLOP services, an individual must reside in an intermediate care facility for individuals with developmental disabilities (an ICF/DD) that is funded through the state but privately operated (this includes most group and community homes and some larger facilities). DRLA provides the following services under CLOP:

Information and Referral

  • Provide information on rights and resources
  • Refer to other DRLA legal and nonlegal programs; adult and child protective services; provider and other agencies; family, consumer, and advocacy groups

Individual Case Advocacy

  • Assist residents and families with requests protecting rights, change or improve service setting, and enhance quality of life
  • Assist residents and families in making complaints about abuse, neglect, and exploitation

Systems Advocacy

  • Identify system-wide problems
  • Make recommendations to provider agencies and state regulators to improve service delivery

The Law

State law provides that individuals with developmental disabilities have the same rights as all other citizens, specifically to:

  • Live in the least restrictive living option appropriate to their needs and abilities
  • Participate in the least restrictive services
  • Have service plans
  • Have periodic diagnosis and evaluation reviews
  • Receive appropriate services
  • Maximize their capabilities and enhance their abilities to cope with the environment
  • Withdraw from services to which they have been voluntarily admitted
  • Participate in planning for their own services
  • Be informed of their rights
  • Receive an education, if they are of school age

Residents and family members are not always aware of these rights, nor are all staff persons of group and community homes.

For Assistance:

To ask for assistance from an ombudsman or to obtain additional information about our services, please contact us:

Disability Rights Louisiana
8325 Oak Street
New Orleans, LA 70118
504-522-2337
Fax 504-522-5507
toll free: 800-960-7705 (Voice or Via 711 Relay)

Or to get help now, fill out our online intake form

 

Publications

Community Living Ombudsman Program (CLOP) trifold

Community Living Ombudsman Program (CLOP) flyer

Guide to Rights of Residents in ICF/DD’s in Louisiana: Information for Residents, Advocates, and Staff of Residential Facilities for Persons with Developmental Disabilities

Examples of our Work

CLOP helps group home resident obtain waiver and release from unnecessary institutionalization

A 22-year-old was placed in a group home by his parents due to his misbehavior at home. He was very high functioning and while in the group home was able to convince other residents to purchase things for him in…

More Continue Reading: CLOP helps group home resident obtain waiver and release from unnecessary institutionalization

CLOP Ombudsman files complaint, community home now provides adequate food and full allowances

A staff member at a small community home called the CLOP Ombudsman and sent pictures reporting there was no food in the home, and that the residents complained of not getting their allowance. The CLOP Ombudsman visited the residents at…

More Continue Reading: CLOP Ombudsman files complaint, community home now provides adequate food and full allowances

CLOP Ombudsman helps client obtain Freedom of Choice waiver

A family member at a small group home contacted their CLOP Ombudsman to report that her cousin wants to move out on a waiver member and that she was given the Freedom of Choice. The Ombudsman spoke to the client,…

More Continue Reading: CLOP Ombudsman helps client obtain Freedom of Choice waiver

Community Living Ombudsman Program (CLOP) helps client transfer from abusive situation in large group home

A DRLA Client’s grandmother contacted the CLOP Ombudsman to report concerns of her grandson’s safety and well-being. He was a resident of a large group home and she was concerned about excessive weight loss and replacement cost for continued missing/damaged…

More Continue Reading: Community Living Ombudsman Program (CLOP) helps client transfer from abusive situation in large group home

Community Living Ombudsman Program (CLOP) helps caller’s daughter transfer from abusive group home to receive quality care at home

A father contacted the CLOP Ombudsman at DRLA to report that his daughter was possibly being abused and neglected in a 6-bed group home. She had bruises on her arms and he reported significant mood swings and changes in her…

More Continue Reading: Community Living Ombudsman Program (CLOP) helps caller’s daughter transfer from abusive group home to receive quality care at home

Community Living Ombudsman Program (CLOP) helps client obtain waiver, select provider

The cousin of resident at a small group home contacted their CLOP Ombudsman to report that their cousin wanted to move out on a waiver but was having trouble doing so. The Ombudsman spoke to the client, visited the home,…

More Continue Reading: Community Living Ombudsman Program (CLOP) helps client obtain waiver, select provider

Private: Rep Payee program works with CLOP to ensure that Rep Payee has cleaning supplies & PPE

During an organizational review of a community service provider, the P&A, Disability Rights Louisiana, learned that the payee needed cleaning supplies and personal protection equipment (PPE). A referral was made back to DRLA’s robust Community Living Ombudsman Program. This program…

More Continue Reading: Private: Rep Payee program works with CLOP to ensure that Rep Payee has cleaning supplies & PPE

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