P&A System Programs

1. Protection and Advocacy for Developmental Disabilities (PADD)
Equip for Equality (EFE) receives funding from the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the Protection and Advocacy for Developmental Disabilities (PADD) Act to provide protection and advocacy services to individuals with a developmental disability as defined by federal law.

2. Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI)
EFE receives funding from the Center for Mental Health Services of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, for providing protection and advocacy services to individuals with a significant mental illness or emotional impairment under the Protection of Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Act. Eligibility for this program was expanded to include anyone with a serious mental impairment without regard to residential setting.  However, pursuant to Congressional mandate, EFE gives priority to individuals at risk for abuse due to seclusion, restraint, and any related serious injuries or fatalities, neglect, or civil rights violations, while residing in public and private care and treatment facilities.

3. Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR)
EFE receives funding from the Rehabilitation Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Education under the Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights (PAIR) Act to provide protection and advocacy services to all individuals with disabilities, including age-related disabilities, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, except for those eligible for PADD or PAIMI.

4. Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS)
EFE receives funding from the Social Security Administration to provide protection and advocacy services to beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) with disabilities.  The PABSS program provides information, assistance, advice, and individual representation to Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities regarding vocational rehabilitation services, expungement and/or sealing of criminal records, employment services, and other support services from employment networks and other service providers that eligible beneficiaries with disabilities may need to secure, regain or retain gainful employment.

5. Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT)
EFE receives funding from the Administration for Community Living in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide protection and advocacy for assistive technology (PAAT) services to people with disabilities who have assistive technology needs.

6. Protection and Advocacy for People with Traumatic Brain Injuries (PATBI)
EFE receives funding from the Administration on Community Living of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide protection and advocacy services to people with traumatic brain injuries (PATBI).  The purpose of the PATBI program is to ensure that people with TBI, who have historically been underserved by the P&A system, have sufficient advocacy and educational services dedicated to them.

7. Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access (PAVA)
EFE receives funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide protection and advocacy services for voting access  (PAVA) to ensure full participation in the electoral process for people  with disabilities, including registering to vote, casting a vote and accessing polling places.

8. Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries with Representative Payees (PABRP)
EFE receives funding from the Social Security Administration to strengthen oversight and protections for beneficiaries by monitoring and reviews of representative payees to address issues of performance and suitability and ensure proper handling of funds.

Last updated: September 09, 2021