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kentucky PROTECTION & ADVOCACY

The Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Advisory Council was established under 42 U.S.C. Section 10801 in 1986. The role of the PAIMI Advisory Council is to:

Provide independent advice and recommendations to the Director and staff of Kentucky P&A
Work jointly with Kentucky P&A to develop policies and priorities concerning the protection and advocacy of the human, legal and civil rights of individuals who have a mental illness
Submit a section of the PAIMI Program Performance Report that describes the activities of the PAIMI council and its assessment

The Council is composed of consumers of mental health services, family members, providers, attorneys and other interested and knowledgeable persons from the community.

Kentucky’s PAIMI Advisory Council (PAC) is comprised of not more than 17 members. At least 60% of the PAC memberships are consumers of mental health services. The remaining members are family members, providers, attorneys and other interested and knowledgeable persons from the community. Members are appointed by the Director of Kentucky P&A for a term of four year.

The PAIMI Council Belief Statement

The Protection and Advocacy Advisory Council for Individuals with Mental Illness believes that Protection and Advocacy systems were created to protect and promote the rights of Individuals with different abilities and to promote their social inclusion both in institutions and in their communities. The Protection and Advocacy Advisory Council believes that individuals who obtain mental health services have the right to receive services, education and treatment in a safe environment that is respectful of each person’s individual need. It is our belief that individuals with challenges have the right to be treated equally and with dignity and respect, and to fully participate in their community no matter their challenge or where they live, work or socialize.
The PAIMI Advisory Council

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Protection and Advocacy

Protection and Advocacy (P&A) is a federally mandated, state agency, whose mission is to protect and promote the rights of Kentuckians who have been discriminated against due to a disability. Federal law requires P&A to have an Advisory Council. The 17 member Council advises P&A on policies and priorities to be carried out protecting and advocating for the rights of Kentuckians with disabilities.

Who is a PAIMI Advisory Council Member?

A person who is a consumer of mental health services, a family member, a provider of mental health services, an attorney, or any other person who is interested and knowledgeable from the community.
Works jointly with Kentucky P&A to develop policies and priorities concerning the protection and advocacy of the human, legal and civil rights of individuals who have a mental illness.
Educates and trains others in the community about the expansion rights for individuals with a mental illness.

To learn more about P&A and the PAIMI Advisory Council, please contact Rachel Petit at 502-564-2967 or email RachelN.Petit@ky.gov. You can find the application form for new PAIMI Council members here (application form) and fax it to P&A Rachel Petit at 502-695-6764.

paimi advisory council

Front Row: Urika Berry, Shannon Kocher, Jackie May, and Sarah Whitledge.

Back Row: Robert Johnson, Melissa Mays, Gayla Lockhart, and Brandon Banks.

Absent: Lisa Paxton, Lukas Saint Clair & Penny, SuAnn Williams, Jennifer Johnson, Dawn Smith, Austin Nugent, and Cody Williamson.