PAIMI Council Member Description
Purpose of the Advisory Council
The Federal PAIMI Act mandates that dLCV establish the PAIMI Advisory Council to:
- Prepare and submit the Council’s annual report to federal funders
- Provide independent advice and recommendations to dLCV
- Work jointly with the dLCV Board of Directors in the development of policies and goals
The PAIMI Advisory Council is dLCV’s link to the community:
- Members are based in their community
- Members evaluate dLCV’s goals
- Members help dLCV remain focused on its Mission
- Members offer perspectives from their community groups on important issues in Virginia
- Members understand local attitudes and concerns
Mission
The PAIMI Advisory Council’s mission is to provide recommendations to the Board of disAbility Law Center of Virginia on policies and goals to be implemented to assure that individuals, covered by the PAIMI Act, are free from abuse, neglect, and related rights violations.
Who We Are
The PAIMI Advisory Council is comprised of the following individuals all with a commitment to improving mental health services in Virginia:
- At least one member who is a parent or guardian of a minor child who received or is receiving mental health services
- Attorneys
- Family members
- Members of the public knowledgeable about mental illness
- Mental health professionals
- People who received or are receiving mental health services
- Providers of mental health services
Continuing efforts shall be made to include members of racial and ethnic minorities who represent Virginia’s geographic diversity.
What We Do
The PAIMI Advisory Council members’ role is:
- ADVISE: Provide independent advice and recommendations for PAIMI programs
- GUIDANCE: Submit section of the annual Program Performance Report
- LEADERSHIP: Work jointly with dLCV staff and the dLCV Board of Directors to develop effective policies and procedures
- SUPPORT: Be familiar with the purpose, philosophy, and activities of the PAIMI program and positively represent the program to the community.
Typical Duties and Expectations of Advisory Council Members
- Council members can participate in Board committees as full voting members. Council members who serve on a Board committee should be committed to participation at the committee meetings.
- To physically attend and actively participate in all scheduled PAIMI Advisory Council meetings. Currently, the PAIMI Advisory Council meets four times a year. The PAIMI Advisory Council announces an annual calendar of meetings in advance.
- To promote information on the PAIMI Advisory Council; its position and publications when meeting other groups involved with mental illness.
- To provide advice, input, observations, and suggestions regarding dLCV’s operations, activities, goals, and objectives regarding PAIMI.
- To read, review, and comment on materials mailed before each meeting for consideration at Advisory Council meetings.
Benefits of Being an Advisory Council Member
- A potential source of alternate or advanced employment
- Cultivate contacts
- Member and contributor of decision-making groups
- On-the-job training in political, administrative, technical, and bureaucratic aspects of decision-making
- Opportunity to highlight programs that you support
- Public speaking experience
Reimbursement for Expenses
PAIMI Advisory Council members volunteer the time they spend on Advisory Council activities. However, members are reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses such as travel to and from meetings.
Accommodations
The PAIMI Advisory Council will meet in accessible locations. The PAIMI Advisory Council can accommodate requests for reasonable accommodations. Please contact dLCV staff for accommodation requests.