Federal Grant Award Summary

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services awarded $195,895 in formula grant funding to the Oficina De Proteccion Y Defensa De Personas Con Impedimentos De PR under the Program of Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights (PAIR), CFDA 84.240, effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. This designated protection and advocacy system in Puerto Rico delivers comprehensive legal advocacy and civil rights protection services for individuals with disabilities, including legal representation, information and referral services, and dispute resolution support.

The award funds the awardee's provision of services designed to protect constitutional and statutory rights across vulnerable populations in Puerto Rico, including individuals with physical disabilities, mental illness, developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injuries. Services delivered through this formula grant include legal advocacy, systems change initiatives, and support to ensure individuals with disabilities can exercise their rights and access equitable treatment. As a designated protection and advocacy agency, the awardee is required to maintain annual priority statements, seek public comment on its objectives, establish client grievance procedures, and pursue mediation and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms before initiating formal administrative or legal remedies.