Protection & advocacy for individuals with mntl illness

The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded $632,033 to Disability Rights Iowa on October 1, 2025, under the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) program (CFDA 93.138). The award funds protection and advocacy activities for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional impairment, including administrative and legal remedies to address complaints of abuse, neglect, and rights violations. Disability Rights Iowa, Iowa's congressionally mandated state Protection and Advocacy system, delivers legal advocacy, investigation of abuse and neglect, and representation services to ensure enforcement of constitutional, federal, and state protections for vulnerable populations. The award period runs through September 30, 2027, with place of performance in Iowa. Eligibility for PAIMI support is statutorily limited to state protection and advocacy systems established under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000. Service priority is accorded to individuals at risk for abuse, neglect, or civil rights violations while residing in care or treatment facilities, though community-based individuals may be served as determined by state program priorities and available resources. The assistance type is a formula grant.