THE MISSION of the Protection and Advocacy program for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) at University Legal Services ("ULS") is to ensure that people with disabilities are afforded the full rights and entitlements accorded to them by the Constitution and local and federal law. Among these rights are the right to self-determination, to be free from harm, to be afforded due process, to develop physically, emotionally and intellectually, and to be included in community life with the opportunities and choices these rights simply.
OBJECTIVES: The following objectives reflect ULS' commitment to promote individual choice and autonomy.
To advocate for and to place as a priority the individual rights of people with significant mental illness or emotional impairment placed in institutional settings to ensure they are receiving proper care and treatment in the least restrictive environment.
a. Advocate for the removal of barriers to outplacement from institutional settings for people with mental illness.
b. Advocate against the improper use and results of seclusion, restraints, medication and investigate other abusive and neglectful conduct at St. Elizabeth's Hospital and other facilities utilized by the D.C. Department of Mental Health (DMH). Take necessary and effective steps to have needed changes implemented.
c. Advocate for people with both mental illness and mental retardation, who are unnecessarily retained in St. Elizabeth's Hospital and other facilities, to be placed into individualized and appropriate community-based settings.
II. To advocate for people with significant mental illness or emotional impairment to have maximum. participation and to be included successfully and fully in the community.
a. Promote successful transitioning from school-to-work with District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) and the DC Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Administration (MRDDA);
b. Promote the provision and acquisition of Assistive Technology in the D.C. Public Schools;
c. Advocate for appropriate Medicaid, and special education services provided through DCPS for students who are at risk of institutionalization without appropriate supports;
d. Educate consumers and stakeholders about issues related to PAIMI objectives
e. Advocate for the inclusion of children with mental illness in their neighborhood school to be educated with their nondisabled peers.
f. Advocate for community-based services to support PAIMI-eligible children and their families in the least restrictive environment.
g. Facilitate the transition of children with mental illness from D.C. Public Schools Special Education program, Child and Family Services Administration or Youth Services Administration to the adult service delivery system.
h. Investigate financial exploitation by representative payees of people with mental illness and take appropriate action.
i. Ensure that Petties v. D.C. class members receive safe and appropriate transportation services, and advocate that students with special needs receive a free and appropriate education.
III. CASE SELECTION CRITERIA AND GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE:
ULS accepts cases of those who have significant mental illness or emotional impairments who are residents of the District of Columbia and whose complaint falls within the aforementioned priorities.
While we recognize that every situation is important, please note case acceptances is dependent upon available resources, including staff time. If your case is not accepted and you wish to file a complaint, contact the Executive Director. The Executive Director shall respond to any client grievance in writing within thirty days of receipt. A client may appeal the Executive Director's decision to the ULS Board of Directors within ten days of the written decision of the Executive Director. The decision of the ULS Board of Directors shall be final and not subject to further appeal or review.
Jane Brown, Executive Director
University Legal Services
220 I Street, N.E., Suite 130
Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 547-0198 Telephone
(202) 547-2662 Facsimile
(202) 547-2657 TTY