Information about the Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) grant
Publications
Supporting Individuals with Significant Mental Health Conditions Brochure
When should you contact Disability Rights Florida?
If you or a family member has experienced abuse, neglect, or have questions about your rights.
Abuse:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Verbal abuse
- Threats
- Treatment without consent
- Coercive treatment (improper threat or use of force)
- Inappropriate or excessive medication
- Inappropriate or excessive restraint and seclusion
- Financial exploitation
- Suspicious death
Neglect:
- Failure to provide medical evaluation or treatment
- Failure to provide mental health evaluation or treatment
- Failure to provide necessary or appropriate personal care and safety
- Failure to provide appropriate discharge planning
Rights During Inpatient Treatment:
- Individualized written treatment or service plan
- Written discharge plan
- Participate in treatment planning
- Effective communication, including access to interpretation/translation
- Representation during legal proceedings
- Participate in legal proceedings
- Confidentiality
- Access to records
- Informed consent
- Habeas Corpus (petition a court if you believe you are being held unlawfully)
- Personal property (inventory and possession)
- Access to grievance process to resolve complaints
- Visitation with family and friends
- Private communications with family and friends and to report abuse or neglect
Other Areas of Possible Rights Violations:
- Guardian/Guardian Advocate problems
- Advance Directives (planning and enforcement)
- Housing discrimination
- Access to financial benefits, such as SSI, SSDI, or insurance
- Access to education in least-restrictive environment
- Access to community-based services or treatment
- Access to transportation
- Employment discrimination
- Voting
About the PAIMI Grant
Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) is a federally-funded program authorized to protect and advocate for the rights of adults with significant mental illness or children and youth with significant emotional disturbance. Disability Rights Florida uses PAIMI grant funding to investigate, monitor, advocate, litigate, and educate to protect individuals with significant mental health conditions from abuse, neglect, or rights violations, and ensure the enforcement of the Constitution and Federal and State statutes.
About the PAIMI Advisory Council (PAC)
PAC members have experience, expertise, and interest in mental health issues. They advise Disability Rights Florida’s staff and governing board on how to best protect and advocate for the rights of individuals with significant mental health conditions. The PAC helps determine our annual priorities for PAIMI-funded services and provides regular feedback and input about those services. PAC members also educate individuals with significant mental health conditions and their supporters about PAIMI. Please visit our website or call 800-342-0823 if you are interested in volunteering to be a PAC member.
Contacting Disability Rights Florida
On your initial call to us, an intake specialist will ask for some general information about you and a brief summary of your issue. Your information is then submitted for review.
Our services are free and confidential.
Inpatient Intake Line:
833-500-1099
Toll Free: 800-342-0823
TDD: 800-346-4127
Online: DisabilityRightsFlorida.org
More information:
Disability Rights Florida was founded in 1977 as the designated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system for individuals with disabilities in the State of Florida. The P&A system exists to ensure the safety, well-being, and success of people with disabilities.
Disability Rights Florida is a non-profit organization funded by a variety of sources. For a complete list of funders, go to Programs Funding. The information provided herein does not constitute legal representation or advice.
Disability Rights Florida
2473 Care Drive, Suite 200
Tallahassee, Florida 32308
800-342-0823 | TDD: 800-346-4127
Inpatient Intake Line: 833-500-1099
www.DisabilityRightsFlorida.org