Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness

PAIMI Fact Sheets (click here for more):

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What You Need to Know About PAIMI (PDF, 97k)
Your Rights to Keep Your Records Confidential (PDF, 35k)
Informed Consent for Medications and Treatment for Persons with Mental Illnesses in State Institutions (PDF, 47k)
Questions About Your Medical Care (PDF, 52k)
You and Your Representative Payee (PDF, 50k)

The PAIMI program was

established to protect the statutory and constitutional rights of persons diagnosed as having significant mental illness 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 to include individuals with significant mental illnesses who live in the community, including their own homes. However, individuals in facilities are still given priority, especially if their issue regards restraint or seclusion. PAIMI is authorized to investigate incidents of abuse and neglect or rights violations, on behalf of persons with mental illness. The Advocacy Center may pursue administrative, legal and other remedies to ensure their protection.

Federal Legal Authority:

The Protection and Advocacy for Mentally ill Individuals Act of 1986 (see 42 U.s.c. 10801 et seq.) created the PAlMI program. This program seeks to protect and advocate for the rights of individuals with mental illnesses. The PAlMI Unit investigates incidents of alleged abuse, neglect, and rights violations of persons with mental illnesses who meet the PAIMI program criteria. Persons eligible for PAlMI services are individuals who have been diagnosed with a significant mental illness, and who reside in Florida.

A list of Assisted Living Facilities can be found at:

http://www.floridahealthstat.com/qs/
owa/facilitylocator.facllocator