The Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) program requires all Protection and Advocacy (P&A) organizations to have an Advisory Council. This Council gives advice and ideas to help guide the work of the P&A. It also works with the Board of Directors to help shape internal policies and determine focus areas.

The PAIMI Advisory Council includes people who have personal experience with mental illness, their family members, and others who work with or support people with mental illness.  Members of the Council must include people from the following groups:

• Someone who has received or is receiving mental health services
• A family member of someone receiving mental health services
• A family member of a child who has received or is receiving mental health services
• A lawyer
• A provider of mental health services
• A mental health professional
• A person from the community who knows about mental illness