The Mental Retardation Branch of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and the District of Columbia Mental Retardation Volunteer Advocates Association, Inc. were formed as a result of the passage of D. C. Public Law 2-137, the Mentally Retarded Citizens Constitutional Rights and Dignity Act of 1978.  Prior to the passage of this law, many cognitively challenged wards of the District of Columbia were housed in a large residential facility know as Forest Haven.  After many years of debate and controversy, the Court ruled that Forest Haven should be closed and that all residents should be moved into residences within the community. From this point on, Public Law 2-137 became the main instrument to secure constitutional rights for those with developmental disabilities as well as to provide and define rights of procedural due process and rights to habilitation and care for such persons. 

The responsibility for the implementation of this bill lies with the Department of Human Services and the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Department of Human Services must provide for and complete an evaluation for individuals living in group homes and facilities throughout the city. They must also provide these evaluations for each petition filed in the D. C. Superior Court on behalf of persons with developmental disabilities living in their own homes. The D. C. Superior Court's responsibilities include, but are not limited to, providing volunteers to serve as advocates for people with mental and developmental disabilities whose cases are reviewed by the court. This responsibility is achieved through the D.C. Mental Retardation Volunteer Advocates Association, Inc.   

The advocate is appointed by a court order signed by a judge.  Prior to the issuance of the court order assigning the advocate to a client, the volunteer must undergo a Criminal History Check.            

Advocates are required to visit the people at home and at work or other daytime activity to monitor the care received on a frequent and on-going basis. Advocates may interact with a number of individuals and agencies to secure services for the people they represent.  DCMRVAA volunteers must communicate with Judicial Officers of the Court, court personnel, court appointed attorneys, the Office of the Corporation Counsel, the Mental Retardation & Developmental Disabilities Administration (MRDDA) social workers, support staff, physicians and other individuals that are involved in the lives of people with disabilities.  The duties and responsibilities of the volunteer advocates are extremely important and comprehensive.  Advocates must attend hearings, conferences, and any meetings dealing with the habilitation plan or any services received by their client. They are involved in guiding and assisting people towards self-reliance and every effort is made to facilitate supports for each individual to ensure emotional, social, and personal needs are addressed.

The Mental Health/Mental Retardation Branch, in collaboration with the DCMRVAA, is responsible for the recruitment of volunteers through public service announcements on television and radio and from churches, civic organizations, and other various resources.  Efforts to supply an adequate amount of volunteers are continuous and diverse. The Court conducts subsequent training of the advocates and provides assistance and direction to the advocates.  

A primary goal of the association is to protect the right to a least restrictive environment and normalization of the cognitively challenged individual's lifestyle, to whatever extent possible, are the essential focus and .  Daily achievement of these goals is the responsibility of each and every volunteer in the program. New volunteers are always welcomed!