All clients have the right to:

• Treatment in accordance with the Florida Mental Health Act.

• Treatment by staff with respect.

• Freedom from abuse, financial or other exploitation, retaliation, humiliation, or neglect.

• Treatment without regard to sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, race, color, national origin, religion, spiritual beliefs, handicaps, language or economic status.

• Reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

• Treatment that is timely, ethical, and suited to individual needs; promotes dignity, independence, self-esteem, and quality of life.

• The least restrictive treatment environment is consistent with their needs.

• Assignment of a primary provider.

• Participation in treatment and discharge planning, as well as review of the treatment plan prior to treatment.

• Access to information pertinent to the client in sufficient time to assist his or her decision-making.

• Informed consent, refusal, or expression of choice regarding service delivery; release of information; concurrent services; composition of the service delivery team; unusual or high-risk medication, if applicable; involvement in research projects, if applicable; or video or audio taping or photography, if applicable.

• The following information:

  • Explanation of the purpose of treatment to be provided and an estimated length of service.

  • Explanation of medication that is prescribed by Step-by-Step Behavioral medical staff, including side effects and possible results of long-term use.

• Confidentiality as outlined in the “Notice of Privacy Practices”.

• Accessibility of their clinical record as outlined in the “Notice of Privacy Practices.”

• Reasonable privacy is consistent with the need for safety.

• Access or referral to legal entities for appropriate representation, self-help support services, and/or advocacy services.

• Other legal rights.

• Adherence to research guidelines and ethics when clients are involved, if applicable.

• An orientation to the rights and responsibilities of the client and the client’s family.

In addition, all clients have the right to:

• File a grievance, including perceived violation of client rights, dissatisfaction with treatment, or discrimination complaint; appeal denial or exclusion from a program or failure to take into account the client’s choice of service; report the alleged abuse.

• Investigation and resolution of grievances/conflict in care decisions without retaliation or loss of service.

Clients may file grievances through the following methods:

• Clients are provided access to a phone at any time to contact the Florida Abuse Hotline.

• Client Grievance Forms and pre-addressed envelopes are available in our waiting rooms or from individual providers. The Quality Assurance Director processes completed Client Grievance Forms.

• Clients/families wishing to talk to staff directly may contact the Program Director, Quality Assurance Director, at 888-763-7837.

• Clients may also contact the below agencies regarding rights as well as other concerns:

 

 Legal Rights:

• Legal Aid 904-232-2090

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 Florida Abuse Hotline:

• Phone: 800-962-2873

• Florida Relay 711

• TTY: 800-453-5145

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 Discrimination Complaints

• Department of Children and Families, Office of Civil Rights

  • 1317 Winewood Blvd., Bldg 1, Rm 110

  • Tallahassee, FL 32399-0700

  • Phone: 850-487-1901

  • TDD: 850-922-9220

• U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights

  • Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center, Suite 16T70

  • 61 Forsyth Street, S.W.

  • Atlanta, GA 30303-8909

  • Phone: 800-368-1019

  • TDD: 800-537-7697

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 Additional Resources

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

  • Phone: 800-514-0301

  • TTY 800-514-0383

• Disability Rights Florida

  • Phone: 800-342-0823

  • TDD 800-346-4127

• Human Rights Commission

  • Phone: 904-630-4911

  • TTY 904-630-4125