What is Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI)?

PAIMI is a program operated by Co-Ad, Inc., a nonprofit legal services organization.

If you have a mental illness and feel you are being abused, neglected or denied your legal rights because of your disability, Co-Ad, Inc. may be able to help you.

Who is Eligible for PAIMI Program Services?

PAIMI services are available to people with a mental illness ...

• Who have experienced abuse and/or neglect, or have had their rights violated.
• Who receive mental health services in the community.
• Who live in a residential facility, nursing home, state hospital, private mental hospital, or other facility.
• Who have experienced other serious violations of their rights because of their disability.

What Kind of Services Does PAIMI Offer?

We are advocates and lawyers who can work for you. We are not mental health professionals. Co-Ad is not a government agency. All requests are kept strictly confidential.

Co-Ad provides the following services ...

• Information and Referral: A referral to another agency. Information on your rights.
• Short Term Assistance: Discussions with you to help you resolve the problem. This may include, self-advocacy coaching, explaining the system, or providing legal advice.
• Administrative Remedies: Appealing a decision within an agency or facility without going to court.
• Negotiation/Mediation: Participation in discussions with an agency or facility to resolve your problem.
• Legal Services: Representation by an attorney in a court of law.

What Should I Do?

Contact us and tell us if you (or someone you know) have:

• Been denied services or benefits;
• Experienced abuse and/or neglect; or
• Had rights violated because of a disability.

If you want our help ...

Call any Co-Ad office. A secretary or an advocate will help you apply for our services over the phone. Each office has a TDD.

Write to any Co-Ad office. Tell us how we may contact you.

Visit any Co-Ad office. An advocate will help you fill out an application.

What is Co-Ad?

Co-Ad, Inc. is a nonprofit legal services organization which manages several programs designed to protect the rights of people with disabilities.

Co-Ad, Inc. was founded in 1977. The Governor has named Co-Ad, Inc. to be Idaho's Protection and Advocacy System for people with disabilities.

Due to limited funding in each program, Co-Ad is required to choose a set of service priorities each year. We are always interested in information from people with disabilities to help us pick our priorities.

How Can Co-Ad Help?

By providing information about community services.

By advising you about your legal rights.

By providing help with settling disagreements through mediation and negotiation.

By providing legal representation, including help with appeals and court cases.

PAIMI Program Services are provided free of charge.

The PAIMI Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Center for Mental Health Services