Institutional and Patient Advocacy monitors the treatment, services, discharge planning and benefit information (such as Social Security and Medicaid) provided to inpatients by Norristown State Hospital. Advocates work on the patients' behalf or refer patients' to attorneys or outside agencies that specialize in mental health advocacy and/or law. Advocates also work with the offices of mental health in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties to make sure that appropriate housing and programs are available to meet the needs of patients once they leave the state hospital. The service works to identify and resolve problems in the mental health system through public policy initiatives.