Health, Education, Advocacy, and Law: An Innovative Approach to Improving Outcomes for Low-Income Children With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Advocates and attorneys working in medical–legal partnerships in the United States have become essential members of a multidisciplinary team that educates healthcare professionals on the rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and represents families when appropriate services to which they are legally entitled are denied. This program description presents an innovative program in which advocates and attorneys work closely with healthcare professionals in a pediatric setting to improve implementation of clinical recommendations and outcomes for low‐income children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Since its creation in 2005, Project HEAL (Health, Education, Advocacy, and Law) has provided advocacy and legal services to 1,750 low‐income families and children with disabilities facing discrimination and challenges accessing programs and services critical to health, education, and psychosocial functioning. Client satisfaction surveys indicate that families who receive representation are highly satisfied with the outcome of their children's cases, and healthcare professionals report that their patients and families are better able to access complex service systems with assistance from Project HEAL. The innovative practice of incorporating advocacy and legal services directly into a clinical setting provides better outcomes for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities who might not otherwise have access to critically needed services. Involvement of skilled advocates and attorneys facilitates implementation of the comprehensive clinical recommendations necessary for the well‐being of children with disabilities.