WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PAIMI

Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illnesses Program

What is the Advocacy Center?

The Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, Inc., (Center) was created to advance the
dignity, equality, self-determination and expressed choices of individuals with all types of
disabilities. By providing information and advocacy, acting in partnership with individuals with
disabilities, the Center protects, promotes, expands and seeks to assure human and legal rights
through six specialized programs. Your request for assistance has been assigned to PAIMI and
PAIMI staff members are now in the process of determining how we can be of assistance.
There are no fees for our services.

What is PAIMI?

Congress established the PAIMI program through the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill
Individuals Act of 1986 (see 42 U.S.C. 10801 et seq.). PAIMI was established to protect the
statutory and constitutional rights of persons diagnosed as having significant mental illnesses and
who are in a treatment facility and/or residential programs, or people who have a problem that
arose within 90 days of discharge from a residential facility. This authority was expanded in 2000
(see Public Law 106-310, Sec. 3206) to include individuals with significant mental illnesses who
live in the community, including their own homes. However, individuals in facilities (including jails
and correctional programs) are still given priority, especially if their issues regard restraint or
seclusion. PAIMI is authorized to investigate incidents of abuse and neglect or civil rights
violations, on behalf of persons with mental illnesses. The Advocacy Center may pursue
administrative, legal and other remedies to ensure their protection.

What services does PAIMI offer?

• Information and referral

• Advocacy regarding issues and problems confronted by individuals with mental illnesses
which have been prioritized by the Center's Board of Directors through annually adopted
goals and priorities:

• Abuse
• Neglect
• Access to critical services
• Medication issues
• Self determination

(over)
Individuals whose complaints meet these criteria must be willing to cooperate with the Center's
investigation. They must assist with advocacy for themselves to the extent possible. They must
also be willing to pursue and exhaust non-litigation avenues for the resolution of disputes. The
acceptance of a complaint for advocacy does not guarantee the assignment of an
attorney.

There are additional selection criteria that must also be considered. They include whether there
is a reasonable possibility of a satisfactory outcome, the availability of effective alternative
representation or resources, the immediacy, severity and duration of the threatened harm to the
individual, the likelihood of positive systemic impact, and the availability of funds and staff to
competently handle the issue.

Examples of issues and problems not presently prioritized include family law, representation in
criminal proceedings, malpractice, personal injury, establishment of guardianships and writing of
advance directives.

Who can request PAIMI Services?

Individuals who have psychiatric disabilities can request services for themselves.
If another party on behalf of a person with a mental illness is requesting services, please
understand that PAIMI can only represent the interests of the person with the mental illness.

Confidentiality and Communication

PAIMI will not reveal any personal identifying information about you without your consent or the
consent of your designated representative. However, to be considered for the provision of
advocacy services beyond information and referral, you must provide PAIMI with your consent –
or the consent of your representative – to access records and information about you.

Thank you for contacting the Advocacy Center.

1-800-342-0823 [voice] • 1-800-346-4127 [TDD] • www.advocacycenter.org

2671 Executive Center Circle West, Suite 100, Tallahassee, FL 32301-5092

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