You have certain rights when receiving mental health and substance abuse services within the Southern Hills' Managed Care Network.  Most important is your own knowledge and understanding of the treatment you are to receive.   Prior to the beginning of treatment services, you are asked to sign a written Consent for Treatment Form.  This consent acknowledges your voluntary participation and your understanding of these client rights.  As treatment begins, you will be asked to participate in the development of your treatment goals.

Your Responsibilities Include:  Setting and keeping appointments with your counselor (let them know as soon as possible if you cannot keep an appointment), helping plan your goals, following through on your goals, keeping your counselor informed of your progress, and paying for the services you receive.

The Southern Hills Managed Care Network provides a continuum of services.  These include outpatient, inpatient, and residential services.  These programs can involve 24-hour crisis intervention services, individual treatment, group treatment, case management, acute detoxification services, family support services, medication evaluation and monitoring, and prevention services.   Access to any of these services is made through one of Southern Hills' outpatient offices.  The length of time that you will remain eligible to participate in the program is determined by your identified needs -- which are established during the initial and ongoing assessments. 

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Consumer Rights

Professional Standards.   The right to receive services in accordance with standards of professional practice, appropriate to your needs, and which are meant and designed to give you reasonable opportunity for improvement.  This includes being informed of the qualifications of your counselor. The provision of services shall be responsive to each person’s age, gender, social supports, cultural orientation, psychological characteristics, sexual orientation, physical situation, and spiritual beliefs.

Treatment Plan Involvement.   The right to participate in the development and review of your treatment plan, including known effects of receiving or not receiving such treatment and alternative treatment as may be available.  And you retain the right to refuse treatment.

Least Restrictive Setting.   The right to receive treatment in the least restrictive setting of the Managed Care Continuum that responds to your treatment needs.

Confidentiality.   The right to confidential maintenance of information about yourself and treatment received.   We may not tell a person outside this agency that you attend our programs or discuss any information identifying you as a client within our services without your written authorization or as allowed by law (including court orders, medical emergency, program evaluation by Center staff, suspected abuse or neglect, to report a crime or a threat to harm someone, etc.).  Suspected violations of these confidentiality requirements may be reported to appropriate authorities in accordance with federal regulations.  For legal references see:  IC 16-14 & 16-4 (Indiana statutes), C42 U.S.C. 290dd-3 and 42 U.S.C. 290ee-3 (federal laws), and 42 CFR Part 2 (federal regulations).

Right to Request a Different Therapist or Case Manager.  The right to request a different therapist or case manager at any point throughout the treatment process.  This right may be restricted if you are an involuntary referral to counseling, or if there are limited agency resources to respond to your request.

Access to Records.  The right to inspect your own record in the presence of your primary therapist and, under most conditions, the right to have a copy of your own record at your expense.

Freedom of Religion.  The right to practice the religion of your choice or to abstain from religious practices.

Constitutional/Civil Rights.  The right to exercise constitutional, statutory, and civil rights, except those denied or limited by court action.  No person shall, on the grounds of race, religion, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, age, handicap, or sexual preference, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of the Southern Hills' Managed Care Network in the provision of its services.

Consumer Conduct.  All consumers shall conduct themselves in an appropriate manner.  Rule violations may lead to a limitation or termination of service.  In some cases the police may be called. Visitors and staff shall not: 1) carry or be under the influence of intoxicating beverages or illegal substances; 2) steal, attempt to steal, or deface property of Southern Hills or visitors to Southern Hills; 3) assault or sexually harass anyone; 4) possess firearms or dangerous weapons; 5) threaten, intimidate, coerce, or interfere with other people; 6) falsify information provided to Southern Hills; 7) smoke inside any Southern Hills facility.  Services may also be limited or terminated if a consumer fails to keep their scheduled appointments.

Reinstatement.  If your services have been limited or terminated, you may request a review of the situation and reinstatement of those services from the Clinic Manager.  The Clinic Manager will provide you with information about if and how reinstatement can occur based upon the circumstances of the restrictions.

Protection From Abuse.  The right to humane care and protection from harm.  Staff are prohibited from any use of psychological abuse, including humiliating, threatening, and exploiting actions.  All instances of abuse or neglect of an adult should be reported to Adult Protective Services Unit (Adult Abuse Hot Line) at 1-800-992-6978.  Circumstances of child abuse and neglect should be reported to the local County Division of Family and Children's Services or to the local Police Department. There are two other Indiana agencies that help clients in securing their rights to appropriate care, freedom from harm, and appropriate treatment – the Indiana Advocacy Service (also known as Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services) at 1-800-622-4845 and, for eligible consumers, Legal Services Organization (LSO) at 1-800-382-2018.  

Waivers.  At no time will admission to services be conditional upon a person's waiver of their rights.  However, you retain the option to waive any of your rights.  Such a waiver must be given voluntarily, knowingly, and in writing and can be withdrawn at any time.

Access to Information.  The right to access information in sufficient time to facilitate your decision making.

Informed Consent.  The right to have informed consent, refusal, or expression of choice regarding:  1) the delivery of services; 2) release of confidential information; 3) any concurrent services; or 4) the composition of your treatment team.

Copy of Rights.  The right to receive a copy of the Client Rights Statement upon your request.

Legal Counsel.  The right to contact or consult with legal counsel of your choice at your own expense.

Consumer Advocate; Questions, Concerns, or Grievances.  The right to have your questions answered or to make complaints about services you receive or violations of these rights...and to have those complaints heard and decided promptly.  If you have a grievance or complaint, Southern Hills staff will contact you within 5 days to discuss the complaint and update you as to the status of the investigation.  Any complaint should be taken to: Øyour therapist, Øthe Clinic Manager in the Southern Hills Office serving you, or Øthe Southern Hills Deputy Director at 1-800-883-4020 (or in Dubois County 482-3020).  If these concerns cannot be resolved to your satisfaction, you may also contact: ØThe Indiana Mental Health Ombudsman Program at 1-800-555-6424 or ØThe Indiana Division of Mental Health Consumer Service from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1-800-901-1133.  Your expression of a question, concern, or grievance will not result in any retaliation or barrier being placed on your access to services.

Other Rights.  There are additional rights for Inpatient Services and Residential Services that would be provided to you upon referral to those programs.

10/23/2009