COFAR

COFAR is a statewide nonprofit organization established in 1983 to advocate on behalf persons with intellectual disabilities in Massachusetts and their families and guardians. The families that formed COFAR were among the original plaintiffs in Ricci v. Okin, the landmark 1972 lawsuit, which led to significant improvements in care provided, managed, and overseen by what is now the Department of Developmental Disabilities. COFAR has negotiated with DDS to maintain adequate staffing levels at both state and community-based facilities and has advocated for an independent investigations unit outside of DDS to investigate cases of abuse and neglect in both the state and community systems. COFAR volunteers provide help and advice to families of clients of the DDS system, and have testified on Beacon Hill for the past two decades on issues of concern to the mentally retarded and their families. COFAR currently has four local affiliated organizations: The Advocacy Network; The Wrentham Association, Inc.; CCMR, Inc.; and the Glavin Association. COFAR is also a member of the national VOR.