1. OCRA ORIENTATION 4731 COMPLAINTS

2. Who Can File 4731 Complaints?  Each consumer or any representative acting on behalf of any consumer(s) who believes that any right has been abused, punitively withheld, or improperly or unreasonably denied by a regional center, developmental center, or service provider can file a complaint. 4731(a).

3. Who Receives the 4731 Complaint?  The director of the regional center where the consumer receives services, or  The director of the state developmental center if the consumer resides there. 4731(b).

4. How Long Do They Have to Respond to the Complaint?  The director of the regional center or the state developmental center has 20 working days to investigate the complaint and send a written proposed resolution to the person who made the complaint. 4731(b).

5. What Can Be Done If The Response Is Not Satisfactory?  The complaint can be referred to the director of DDS within 15 working days of receiving the proposed resolution from the regional center or developmental center.  The director of DDS then has 45 days to issue a written administrative decision.  If there is no referral to DDS, the proposed resolution becomes effective 20 working days after receipt by the person who made the complaint. 4731(c).

6. What Can OCRA Do?  OCRA can: **provide technical assistance to the consumer or representative making the complaint, or **assist with the filing of the complaint.