Advocating for Change at CAMHPRO's Statewide Peer Conference

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June 20, 2023

Advocating for Change at CAMHPRO’s Statewide Peer Conference

By Editor SHARE! on June 20, 2023

Advocating for Change at CAMHPRO‘s Statewide Peer Conference

Auna Pines of SHARE! advocated for consumer protections at last week’s 2023 statewide conference organized by CAMHPRO, the California Association of Peer-Run Organizations, L.E.A.D, (Lived Experience, Advocacy, and Diversity) took place in Sacramento, California on June 12 and 13, 2023.

Auna Pines became a Regional Center client as a kid because she has autism. At the age of 18, Auna was conserved, which meant her family members made important decisions on her behalf. The court found her to be unable to function or take care of herself. She was able to end the conservatorship and has been working full-time as an administrative assistant for the past 11 years. Her earnings enabled her to purchase a home and provide for her needs.

Once her rights were restored, Auna was free to change her religion, work and live where she prefers and manage her own affairs. She has spent seven years advocating for change through Peer Action 4 Change, a consumer rights advocacy group (peeraction4change.org).

In Auna’s talk at CAMHPRO and with the staff of Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, Auna advocated for changes that could have protected her rights and the rights of others. “I see high-functioning disabled adults get abused every day and I want this to end, for them to get their independence and be able to do things on their own.”

Ending Wrongful Conservatorship: Auna called for a halt to the wrongful conservatorship of high-functioning disabled adults, particularly when placed under the care of abusive family members. She emphasized the importance of safeguarding their rights and well-being.
Respecting Autonomy and Consent: Auna advocated for an end to forced treatments imposed upon high-functioning disabled adults against their will. Recognizing their capacity to make informed decisions, she stressed the significance of respecting their autonomy and consent.
Empowering Through Better Opportunities: Auna highlighted the injustice of placing high-functioning disabled individuals in job training programs that offer meager compensation of only one hundred dollars per month, despite their potential to earn the minimum wage. She called for equal employment opportunities that would enable them to thrive and contribute fully to society.
Eliminating Abuse and Exploitation: Auna urged the termination of abusive caregivers, bosses, therapists, and any individual who engaged in verbal abuse, threats, and manipulation of high-functioning disabled adults.
Equality in Adoption Rights: Auna shed light on the discriminatory practices surrounding adoption rights for high-functioning disabled adults. She stressed that these individuals should have the same rights as those who have biological children, challenging the prevailing notion that they are incapable of providing a loving and nurturing environment for adopted children.
A Vision for Change: Auna’s vision extended beyond her immediate concerns. She proposed systemic changes:

- - The permanent closure of regional center cases for high-functioning disabled adults at the age of 18 to prevent further abuse and wrongful conservatorship. Auna firmly believes in the capabilities of high-functioning disabled adults. She emphasized that they possess the intelligence to acquire vital life skills, such as cooking, cleaning, and conversational abilities, often through online resources. This conviction fueled her advocacy for the closure of regional center cases, allowing these individuals to live independent and successful lives without undue interference.
  - Granting high-functioning disabled adults the right to obtain restraining orders and file Adult Protective Services reports if they face abuse or are wrongfully conserved against their will.
  - Ensuring freedom of religion, allowing disabled adults to convert to another religion and choose their regional center based on their beliefs.
  - Affording the right to decide whether to live alone or with a chosen caregiver and determining who may stay overnight or who they want in their home.

Throughout her journey, Auna received support from friends as well as colleagues at SHARE!. She also has been inspired by the stories of other disabled adults who have overcome adversity to live fulfilling lives.

ABOUT SHARE! THE SELF-HELP AND RECOVERY EXCHANGE: Since 1993, SHARE! The Self-Help and Recovery Exchange has served Los Angeles through self-help support groups and building communities which provide recovery and social support. Participants develop skills to cope with substance use, trauma, mental health disorders, and dysfunctional relationships. SHARE! contributes to ending homelessness in Los Angeles by housing those in need within the first couple of days of contact, and finding them jobs so they no longer need government subsidies. Their participation in self-help support groups ensures that they do not return to homelessness. This proven formula gives homeless people a pathway out of poverty and a way back to becoming a full participant in society.