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Protection and Advocacy Programs and Funding Sources
Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc.
is the State of South Carolina's designated protection and advocacy system. This page will give a brief description
of the funding sources and/or federal programs that P&A provides in fulfilling its mission. You can click on the link for each program and read a more detailed description of each program with additional resources specific to each program. P&A LOSES ALL STATE FUNDING BUT WILL REMAIN STRONG
Despite heroic efforts by countless supporters of P&A, the General Assembly did not amend the Governor’s Office budget, which completely eliminated state funds for P&A. We were heartened by the widespread support for P&A’s role and mission.
We inevitably will have to reduce our services to individuals across the state. With our remaining funding we will, as we have for the last 30 years, continue to vigorously advocate for South Carolinians with disabilities to be free of abuse and to have equal access to education, employment, and justice.
The PAIDD program was established in 1977 by the Developmentally Disabled Assistance and Bill of Rights Act.
With our PAIDD funding, P&A can serve individuals who have a federally defined developmental disability
and have been abused, neglected, or discriminated against because of their disability or denied a service to which
they are entitled. PAIDD is authorized in the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act,42 USC 15001, PL 106-402.
See 42 USC 15043 for our system requirements including access authority.
In 1986, Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) was established at P&A. The purpose of this act is to protect
individuals with mental illness from abuse and neglect in institutions. In 2001, this mandate was expanded to
include individuals with a mental illness living in the community. PAIMI is authorized in the Protection and Advocacy
for Mentally Ill Individuals Act,42 USC 10801, PL 106-310.
See 42 USC 10805 for our system requirements including access authority.
In 1991, Protection & Advocacy of Individual Rights (PAIR) was established at P&A. The purpose of this
act is to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities who are not covered under PAIDD or PAIMI.
PAIR is authorized in the Rehabilitation Act,29 USC 794e , PL 106-402.
See 29 USC 794e for our system requirements including access authority.
In 1994, P&A established PAAT through the Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1987 (PAAT). The purpose of this act
is to provide advocacy services to people with disabilities who are denied funding for assistive technology devices
and services. PAAT is authorized in the Assistive Technology Act,29 USC 3011,3012, PL 105-394.
In 2001, Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS)was established at P&A. PABSS provides statewide training about
beneficiaries' rights under the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999(TWWIIA) (42 USC 1320b-20, PL 106-170) and about appropriate support
services from agencies and employers. P&A provides individual representation to recipients of Social Security benefits
who face barriers to their return to work.
In 2002, the Protection and Advocacy for Traumatic Brain Injury (PATBI) was established at P&A. This program was created
as part of the reauthorization of the TBI program in
the Children's Health Act of 2000. It provides funding to P&A to
advocate on behalf of individuals with Traumatic Brain
Injury for services to meet their unique needs.PATBI is authorized in the Children's Health Act of 2000,42 USC 300d-53, PL 106-310.
In 2003, Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access (PAVA) was established at P&A. The goals of the Help America Vote Act of 2002
include making access to the electoral process equal for all Americans. The act includes specific provisions
for people with disabilities. It also includes funding to P&As to ensure participation by individuals with
disabilities in all parts of the electoral process--registering to vote, accessing polling places, and casting
a vote. PAVA is authorized in the Help America Vote Act of 2002, PL 107-252.
In 1985, the Team Advocacy Project was approved through the South Carolina State Joint Legislative Committe on Mental Health
and Mental Retardation. The Team Advocacy Project was enacted in response to concern about conditions in assisted living
facilities in the state. Since its enactment, P&A has been conducting unannounced inspections of Community Residential Care
Facilities (CRCF's) to review the conditions in the facilities and care of residents within them. The Project is funded
through a contract with the SC Department of Mental Health.
