Protection & advocacy for individuals with mntl illness

The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded Disability Rights Washington $864,013 under the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) program (CFDA 93.138) on October 1, 2025.

Disability Rights Washington, the designated Protection and Advocacy system for Washington state, delivers systemic advocacy and individual legal services to protect the rights of adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. The organization investigates complaints of abuse, neglect, and civil rights violations; provides legal counsel and representation; and pursues administrative and legal remedies to enforce constitutional, federal, and state protections. The recipient serves individuals at risk for abuse or neglect in care or treatment facilities, those in community settings including their own homes, and individuals in detention facilities, jails, or prisons.

The award covers the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027, with place of performance in Washington state. This is a formula grant. The PAIMI program is designed to protect and advocate for the rights of eligible populations through activities ensuring enforcement of constitutional, federal, and state statutes. Eligibility is statutorily limited to systems established in states, territories, and tribal consortia under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000.