Protection & advocacy for individuals with mntl illness

The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded Disability Rights Oklahoma, Inc. $632,033 in formula grant funding for Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness on October 1, 2025.

Disability Rights Oklahoma, operating as the state's designated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system, delivers legal representation, rights protection investigation, abuse and neglect investigations, benefits counseling, and systemic advocacy services to adults with significant mental illness and children with significant emotional disturbances throughout Oklahoma. The organization pursues administrative, legal, and other remedies to address complaints of abuse, neglect, and rights violations, with service priority for individuals at risk while residing in care or treatment facilities, though the P&A system also serves eligible individuals in community settings including their own homes.

The award carries a period of performance from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027, with place of performance at Tulsa, Oklahoma. The PAIMI program (CFDA 93.138) is a formula grant made directly by the Center for Mental Health Services to eligible state P&A systems established under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000. Allotments are available for obligation over a 24-month period, and payments are made through electronic transfer.