Client Rights

Each client has the following rights:

1.   The right to be treated with consideration and respect for personal dignity, autonomy and privacy, and freedom from humiliation, abuse and neglect.
2.   The right to service in a humane setting, which is the least restrictive, feasible as defined in the treatment plan.
3.   The right to be informed of one’s own condition, of proposed or current services, treatment or therapies, and of the alternatives.
4.   The right to consent to or refuse any service, treatment, or therapy upon explanation of the expected consequences of such consent or refusal. A parent or legal guardian may consent to or refuse any service, treatment or therapy on behalf of a minor client. Although the preference is for all children  to have parental involvement, state law permits children 14 or older to consent to receiving treatment, except medication, up to six (6) sessions or 30 days, whichever comes sooner without parental or guardian consent.
5.   The right to a current, written, individualized service plan that addresses one’s own mental health, physical health, social and economic needs, and that specifies the provision of appropriate and adequate services, as available, either directly or by referral.
6.   The right to active and informed participation in the establishment, periodic review, and reassessment of the service plan, and to have the option of informed choice regarding the composition of the service delivery team.
7.   The right to freedom from unnecessary or excessive medication.
8.   The right to freedom from unnecessary restraint or seclusion.
9.   The right to participate in any appropriate and available agency service, regardless of refusal of one or more other services, treatments or therapies, or regardless of relapse from earlier treatment in that or another service, unless there is a valid and specific   necessity which precludes and/or requires the client’s participation in other services. This necessity shall be explained to the client and written in the client’s current service plan.
10. The right to be informed of and refuse any unusual hazardous treatment procedures.
11. The right to be informed of and refuse observation by techniques such as one-way vision mirrors, tape recorders, television, movies, or photographs.
12. The right to have the opportunity to consult with independent treatment specialists or legal counsel, at one’s own expense.
13. The right to confidentiality of communications and of all personally identifying information within the limitations and requirement for disclosure of various funding and/or certifying sources, and state or federal statues, unless release of information is specifically authorized by the client or parent or legal guardian of a minor client or court-appointed guardian of the person of an adult client in accordance with rule 5122: 2-3-11 of the Administrative Code.
14. The right to have access to one’s treatment records. Clients shall be informed in writing of Agency policies and procedures for viewing or obtaining copies of personal records.
15. The right to be informed in advance of the reason(s) for discontinuance of services provided and to be involved in planning for the consequences of that event.
16. The right to receive an explanation of the reason(s) for denial of service.
17. The right not to be discriminated against in the provision of service on the basis of race, color, creed, age, sex, national origin, religion, lifestyle, physical or mental handicap, developmental disability, or inability to pay.
18. The right to know the cost of services.
19. The right to be fully informed of all rights.
20. The right to exercise any and all rights without reprisal in any form including continued uncompromised access to service.
21. The right to file a grievance.

22. The right to have oral and written instructions for filing a grievance.