State Protection and Advocacy Agency

Each State has a protection and advocacy agency that receives funding from the Federal Center for Mental Health Services. Agencies are mandated to protect and advocate for the rights of people with mental illnesses and to investigate reports of abuse and neglect in facilities that care for or treat individuals with mental illnesses. These facilities, which may be public or private, include hospitals, nursing homes, community facilities, board and care homes, homeless shelters, jails, and prisons. Agencies provide advocacy services or conduct investigations to address issues that arise during transportation or admission to such facilities, during residency in them, or within 90 days after discharge from them. Contact:

Maryland Disability Law Center
Central Maryland Office
The Walbert Building, Suite 400
1800 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 410.727.6352
TDD: 410.727.6387
Fax: 410.727.6389
Toll-free: 800-233-7201
Internet: www.mdlcbalto.org

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which are part of the Department of Health and Human Services, investigate some complaints about treatment facilities that receive Medicare and Medicaid funding. For further information at the national level, contact:

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850
Phone: 410.786.3000
E-mail: webmaster@CMS.gov
Internet: www.CMS.gov

You may also share your concerns with staff at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services office in your area, which is Region 3. The regional office address and telephone number are:

Philadelphia Regional Office
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
150 South Independence Mall West, Suite 216
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: 215.861.4140
Fax: 215.861.4240
Internet: www.CMS.gov