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Thank you for your interest in serving on Disability Law Center of Alaska's (DLC) Mental Health Rights Advisory
Committee. DLC's formal Operating Procedures cover the make-up, duties, powers, terms of office and other details concerning our
Committee. The following is a less formal summary of information that is intended to answer frequently asked questions.
In May of 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed the
Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI)
Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. 10801). The PAIMI Act authorizes the
provision of protection and advocacy services to citizens
experiencing mental illness. The Disability Law Center was
designated as the agency in Alaska to provide these services.
The PAIMI Act also mandates that the Disability Law Center of Alaska
have a Governing Board (GB), also know as a Board of Directors.
Further, the PAIMI Act provides the Governing Board with an Advisory
Committee, which assists in developing the mental health program
policies and required annual priorities. This Committee must be
composed of consumers, family members, service providers and
professionals with expertise and/or interest in the area of mental
health.
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The PAIMI Act serves individuals who have
significant mental or emotional impairments, as determined by a
mental health professional, qualified under the laws and regulations
of the state, and for whom:
- an incident of abuse or neglect by an employee or an individual responsible for providing services in a facility rending care or treatment is reported to Disability Law Center of Alaska or there is probable cause to believe that such an incident occurred;
OR
- administrative, legal, or other appropriate remedies are needed to protect his/her rights in relation to a problem associated with the mental illness or emotional impairment.
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The Mental Health Rights Advisory Committee (also referred to as “the
Committee” or “AC”) is comprised of approximately 9 residents of Alaska
and includes Director and Non-Director members. Members
include attorneys, individuals from the public who have demonstrated
a substantial commitment to improving mental health services; a
provider of mental health services, individuals who have received or
are receiving mental health services, and family members of such
individuals.
At least sixty percent (60%) of the membership of the Committee is
comprised of individuals who have received or are receiving mental
health services, or who are family members of such individuals. At
least one family member shall be a primary caregiver for an
individual who is currently a minor child or youth who is receiving
or has received mental health services. Continuing efforts are made
to include members of racial and ethnic groups on the AC, as well as
individuals from all regions of the state.
The Disability Law Center is not funded at a high enough level to
provide all possible services to everyone requesting help. Because
of this, the governing board, PAIMI Advisory Committee, and agency
staff solicit public comment, then set priorities each year to
select the types of problems we will address for the year and the
level of assistance that will be provided.
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Committee members serve 3 year staggered terms. A
Committee member who has been elected for a term of four years may not
be re-elected to the Committee during the two-year period commencing
on the date on which such four-year term expired.
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The Mental Health Rights Advisory Committee’s mission
is to advise the Disability Law Center of Alaska on policies and
priorities to be implemented to assure that individuals with mental
illnesses are free from abuse, neglect and related civil rights
violations.
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As required under the PAMI Act, the purpose of the
Committee is to:
- Advise Disability Law Center staff and the governing board on policies and priorities to be carried out in protecting and advocating for the rights of individuals with a mental illness
- Complete a section of the annual PAIMI Program Performance Report (PPR) that describes the activities of the
Committee and its assessment of the operation and quality of services of the PAIMI program.
- Work with the governing board of the Disability Law Center and the PAIMI program staff in a joint effort to develop the annual statement of objectives and priorities for the PAIMI program.
- Educate the public about the agency's purpose, priorities, and activities.
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There are two regular meetings and one annual meeting
of the Committee a year. The date of the regular meeting is determined
by the Committee Chair. The annual meeting is held during the month of
September.
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All travel, room, and board expenses connected with
the Committee meeting are paid for by DLC. DLC also includes
reasonable accommodations for Committee members with disabilities.
Members are not paid an honorarium for their services.
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Committee Chairs may recommend to the Board Non-Director members to serve on
their committees. Prospective non-Director committee members will complete an
application that will be circulated to the committee Chairs. The number of
non-Directors shall be limited in order that Directors make up a majority of the
committee. Non-Director members will have 1 year terms and may serve three
consecutive terms
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You may fill out an application and submit it at any
time.
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Please feel free to contact the DLC at
1-800-478-1234 or 907-565-1002 Phone/TTY
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