Training of county patients’ rights advocates shall be provided by the contractor specified in Section 5510 responsible for the provision of protection and advocacy services to persons with mental disabilities. Training shall be directed at ensuring that all county patients’ rights advocates possess:
(a) Knowledge of the service system, financial entitlements, and service rights of persons receiving mental health services. This knowledge shall include, but need not be limited to, knowledge of available treatment and service resources in order to ensure timely access to treatment and services.
(b) Knowledge of patients’ rights in institutional and community facilities.
(c) Knowledge of civil commitment statutes and procedures.
(d) Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations affecting recipients of mental health services.
(e) Ability to work effectively and respectfully with service recipients and providers, public administrators, community groups, and the judicial system.
(f) Skill in interviewing and counseling service recipients, including giving information and appropriate referrals.
(g) Ability to investigate and assess complaints and screen for legal problems.
(h) Knowledge of administrative and judicial due process proceedings in order to provide representation at administrative hearings and to assist in judicial hearings when necessary to carry out the intent of Section 5522 regarding cooperation between advocates and legal representatives.
(i) Knowledge of, and commitment to, advocacy ethics and principles.
(j) This section shall become operative on January 1, 1996.
(Amended (as added by Stats. 1992, Ch. 722, Sec. 29) by Stats. 1995, Ch. 546, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 1996. Section operative January 1, 1996, by its own provisions.)