FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS PROTECTION & ADVOCACY
HISTORY
ThenationwideProtectionandAdvocacyforIndividualswithMental Illness(PAIMI)programwasestablishedbyCongressin1986.
Congressactedindirectresponsetoitsfindingsofwidespread abuse,neglect,andexploitationofindividualsresidinginstate psychiatricinstitutions.
Reportsofinhumaneconditionsandalackof accountabilityinthesefacilitiesexposedthecritical needforanindependentsystemtoconductoversight andsafeguardtherightsofresidents.
In2000,inresponsetoabuse,neglect,andrights violationsoutsideofinstitutionalsettings,Congress expandedthePAIMIActtoothercommunitysettings, likeschools,supportedhousing,andhomelessshelters.
CONGRESSIONAL MANDATES
CongresscreatedthePAIMIprogramtoinvestigate reportsofabuseandneglectinfacilitiesthatcaredfor ortreatedadultswithseriousmentalillness(SMI)and childrenwithsignificantemotionaldisturbance(SED) andprovidedirectadvocacytoremedytheharm.
Advocacy and Representation
PAIMIprovidesadvocacyand representationtoprotecttherightsof adultswithSMIandchildrenwithSED, includingadvocatingforthoselivingin institutions.
Monitoring and Investigation
PAIMImonitorsandinvestigatesreportsof abuseandneglectinpublicandprivate facilities,includinghospitals,nursingfacilities, supportedhousing,andschools.
Thisisacrucialsafeguardforthewell-being ofadultswithSMIandchildrenwithSED receivingmentalhealthservices,especially thosewhoresideininstitutionalsettingsata higherriskofabuseandexploitation.
System Advocacy
PAIMIengagesinsystemadvocacyto changestate&localpoliciesandpractices thatharmadultswithSMIandchildren withSED.
PROTECTION&ADVOCACY
ThePAIMIprogramisa criticalpartofthestate-level protectionandadvocacy systemforadultswithSMI andchildrenwithSED.
PAMIensuresthattheirrights areprotectedandthatthey haveequalaccessto opportunities.
ThePAIMIprogrampreventsfraud,waste,andabuseby empoweringadultswithSMIandchildrenwithSED,by investigatingpotentialissuesandadvocatingfortheir rights.
PAIMIensuresthatfederallyfundedresourcesareused effectivelytosupportthosewhoneedthemmost.
FRAUD,WASTE&ABUSE PREVENTION
ProtectingAdultswithSMIandChildrenwithSED
PAIMIprotectsthosewhoaremoresusceptibletoabuseorneglect, suchasindividualsinfacilities,orthosewithlimitedaccessto resources.
EnsuringProperUseofFunds
PAIMIensuresthatfederalfundingforadultswithSMIandchildrenwith SEDisusedappropriatelybymonitoringserviceproviders.
PromotingSystemicChange
PAIMIreducesfraud,waste,andabusethroughlegalaction,advocacy, andeducationalinitiatives.Asaresult,theintegrityofmentalhealth servicesisimproved.
ThePAIMIprogramplaysauniqueroleinpreventingfraud, waste,andabuserelatedtoadultswithSMIandchildren withSEDandtheprogramsthatservethem.
FRAUD,WASTE&ABUSE PREVENTION
1in20adultsand1in10childrenlivewithSMIorSED.Morethan 50%ofadultsand80%ofchildrenfaceseriousbarriersin accessingmentalhealthservices.
Taxpayersbearthefinancialandlong-termcostsfromdelayedor ineffectivementalhealthtreatment.
Overthepast5years,PAIMIdirectlyassisted3,347 peoplewithSMIandSED, withanadditional 2,458,606peoplebenefitingfromsystemic advocacy.
DirectPAIMI advocacyreduceswasteresultingin costsavingsandimprovedoutcomes
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DRNY is supported at taxpayer expense by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, The Administration for Community Living; Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration; U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration; and, the Social Security Administration. This publication does not represent the views, positions or policies of, or the endorsements by, any of these federal agencies.
