Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness

CFDA 93.138 Active Grant

Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)
$39M FY2026
$38.9M
FY24
$39M
FY25
$39M
FY26*
* estimated

Funded Projects

Examples of what this program has supported.

FY2025 57 awards were made

Program Objective

The purpose of the PAIMI program is to pursue administrative, legal, and other appropriate remedies to address complaints of abuse, neglect, and rights violations. The PAIMI program is also intended to protect and advocate for the rights of adults with significant mental illness (SMI) and children/youth with significant emotional disturbances (SED) through activities to ensure the enforcement of the Constitution, and federal and state statutes.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • U.S. State Government
  • U.S. Territory Government
  • Federally Recognized Tribal Government

Eligibility is statutorily limited to “eligible systems” within the states, the District of Columbia, the American Indian Consortium, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The term “eligible system” means the system established in a state/territory to protect and advocate for the rights of persons with developmental disabilities under subtitle C of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 [42 U.S.C. 15053].

How to Apply

Award Procedure

Grants are directly awarded by the Center for Mental Health Services to the system established in the State to protect and advocate the rights of persons with developmental disabilities, as outlined in the "Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000", as amended October 30, 2000 by Public Law 106-420 (45 USC 6041 et seq.) .

Decision Timeline

  • Approval: From 30 to 60 days
Program details & compliance

Description

The PAIMI grant program is intended to protect and advocate for the rights of adults with Significant (Serious) Mental Illness (SMI) and children with Significant (Serious) Impairment or Emotional Disturbances (SED) through activities to ensure the enforcement of the Constitution, and Federal and State statutes.

Mission Categories

Primary: Mental Health

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

Law, Justice, and Legal Services

Funds may be used to assist in meeting the costs of planning, developing, expanding, and implementing activities to support attainment of the protection and advocacy goals. Not more than 10 percent of an allotment can be used for providing technical assistance and training for staff. Also, a a system which is a public entity cannot be required by the State to obligate more than 5 percent of the allotment for administrative expenses.

Required Documentation

Costs will be determined in accordance with 2 CFR 200 Cost Principles (Subpart E) applicable to this program.

Reporting & Compliance

Records Retention
3 years

Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts

  • Subpart B — General Provisions
  • Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart E — Cost Principles
  • Subpart F — Audit Requirements

Contacts

Maegan Marcano — Chief, Formula Grants Branch
240-276-0421
5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-01-05. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-05-30 02:30:44.