The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded Disability Rights Vermont, Inc. $632,033 on October 1, 2025, under the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness program (CFDA 93.138).
Disability Rights Vermont pursues administrative, legal, and other appropriate remedies to address complaints of abuse, neglect, and rights violations affecting adults with significant mental illness and children with significant emotional disturbances. The organization investigates complaints, provides legal representation and administrative remedies, and advocates for systemic policy improvements on behalf of individuals at risk while in care or treatment facilities, in community settings, or in the process of admission to or transport to such facilities.
The award funds performance in Montpelier, Vermont, over a 24-month period ending September 30, 2027. Disability Rights Vermont operates as Vermont's designated protection and advocacy system established under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, delivering comprehensive advocacy and support services statewide to individuals with disabilities.