PUBLIC MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT
 
Federal officials will conduct a Technical Assistance Site Review of the Protection and         Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Program operated by the Disability Law Center, 3330 Arctic Blvd., Suite 103, Anchorage, Alaska 99503, 1-800-478-1234, 1-907-565-1002 (both are voice and TTY).
 
The meeting will focus on PAIMI Program advocacy activities on behalf of Alaska mental health consumers and their family members.
    
                                                       DATE:   Tuesday, July 13th 2004
 
                                                       TIME:  3:45-5:00 pm
 
                                                       LOCATION:            Disability Law Center
                                                                                    3330 Arctic Blvd, Suite 103
                                                                                    Anchorage, Alaska 99503
 
Individuals outside the Anchorage area please call 1-800-315-6338 code 9876#
 
The PAIMI Program was created in 1986 to advocate and protect the rights of individuals with mental illness and severe emotional disturbance, either at risk for abuse, neglect and rights violations or abused, neglected while in care or treatment in public or private residential facilities, or within 90 days of discharge from such facilities.  The P&A systems that operate PAIMI Programs have special authority to access (enter) these facilities and conduct investigations to substantiate abuse, neglect, or rights violations.
 
Mental health stakeholders to include consumers, family members, consumer and family advocacy groups, and other interested persons are invited to provide public comments on how the PAIMI Program in their State serves the needs of individuals with mental illness.
 
The Federal officials, or their designees, are from the Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services.  Please contact Disability Law Center at 1-800-478-1234 if special accommodations are needed by any individual with a disability.