1. THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE SELF-ADVOCACY Chuck Collins Regional Advocate Office of Human Rights (540) 332-8321

2.  WHO – Personal Background  WHAT – Purpose of the Presentation An Eclectic Mix of Information  WHEN – Developed in early 2000  WHERE – DMHMRSAS licensed, funded, or operated programs  WHY – Inspired by Steven Covey’s (7 habits of highly successful people) and adapted to a new audience “Give a fish/teach to fish theory”

3. DISCLAIMER CORE BELIEFS “ We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Thomas Jefferson Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776

4. PRINCIPLE 1 CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE

5. 1) Start with an honest self assessment, an examination of conscience – what are your core beliefs ? 2) Your attitude is the key – it is the only variable you control. 3) Are you a person who sees him/herself as a victim ? 4) If so, change your attitude! 5) Think positively: If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you can’t, even if you could ! 6) Thinking positively leads to empowerment which leads to success. (Taking part & fighting back, Dr. Lynn Sanders, UVA) 7)Empowerment = taking part and fighting back

6. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS PRINCIPLE 2

7. 1) “Knowledge is power” 2) Know your rights and you will enhance your power i.e. your ability to be successful, to accomplish your goals, to get the most out of the experience. 3) “People will only protect what they love, and only love what they know.” Jacques Cousteau

8. ASSURANCE OF RIGHTS DIGNITY CONFIDENTIALITY & ACCESS TO RECORDS INFORMED CONSENT INFORMED CONSENT PARTICIPATION IN TREATMENT PARTICIPATION IN TREATMENT The law requires that every person be treated without discrimination and with equal protection and due process. Federal Law and the 14 th Amendment

9. PRINCIPLE 3 KNOW THE SYSTEM

10. 1) What is due process? 2) There are several systems. (DRVD, Courts, Other Governmental Agencies, Court of Public Opinion – Media) 3) No retaliation is permitted.

11. 4) Informal Process 5) Formal Process 6) Remedies/Specific Relief YES NO YES NO Investigation Damages Acknowledgement Terminations Apology Closure Changed Circumstances Assurances/Monitoring

12. A SHORT COURSE IN NEGOTIATION 1) Know the facts 2) Know the law 3) Know what you need 4) Conduct yourself professionally 5) If the other party is unreasonable, leave 6) Appeal to a higher authority

13. PRINCIPLE 4 PRACTICE KINDNESS (and Forgiveness)

14. 1) Who are the people you remember most in your life? 2) What do you remember about them?  Kindness is a strategy. Kindness is not weakness. How you present yourself is how you will be perceived.  Treat the other person as you would want them to treat you. Are the above statements true? Why or why not.

15. THESE STATEMENTS ARE TRUE BECAUSE: 1) They have proven to be effective with others. 2) You disarm your opponent. 3) You are being intellectually consistent with how you want to be treated. 4) It’s a good place to start. If you begin with hostility and are unsuccessful, there is nowhere else to go. 5) What goes around comes around.

16. PRINCIPLE 5 DON’T BE DISCOURAGED, INTIMIDATED, OR AFRAID

17. Don’t allow fear to stop or control you. I’m afraid of lots of things… I ask for the courage to face those things that make me fearful. Self respect comes from getting up when you fall. There is no shame in falling down, only in not getting up. “When you’re going through hell, keep going.” Winston Churchill

18. PRINCIPLE 6 ACCEPT & EXPECT ACCOUNTABILITY

19.  Just as you have rights, you also have responsibilities.  Live up to your agreements, and expect others to do likewise.  This is the balance which must be struck.  An ITP is a contract, a reciprocal agreement with rights and responsibilities which flow in both directions.  Who is responsible for what you say and do?

20. PRINCIPLE 7 DO YOUR BEST TODAY

21.  Who knows how long any of us will live?  Who can change the past?  Who can tell the future?  So, all we really have is today, this moment, right now!  If you do your best today, you won’t be disappointed.  Tempus Fugit, memento mori.

22. REVIEW THE PRINCIPLES 1) Change your Attitude 2) Know your Rights 3) Know the System 4) Practice Kindness 5) Don’t be Afraid 6) Accept & Expect Accountability 7) Do Your Best Today

23. CONCLUSIONSELF-ADVOCACYSELF-EMPOWERMENTSELF-RESPECTHOPE! The Meaning of Life =You get what you give!