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MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE CENTERS OF SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA

CONSUMER ORIENTATION HANDBOOK

“MHSACSO and Me…A Partnership In Recovery”

MHSACSO is partially funded by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

CARF Accredited

Rev. 9/04

Introduction

We want to make sure that you receive the best possible care from our agency and staff. To do that, we would like to share with you some information about our services and our service area.

Mental Health And Substance Abuse Centers of Southern Oklahoma (MHSACSO) was formed in 1950 to provide mental health care in southern Oklahoma . We are a private, non-profit, community mental health center with a board of directors. The counties which we serve include Bryan , Carter, Garvin, Johnston, Love, Marshall, Murray, Pontotoc and Seminole counties.

We have grown considerably since 1950 and offer many different kinds of mental health, wellness, and recovery-based programs, including outpatient services for adults and children, case management services, rehabilitative services and residential substance abuse treatment. The professional clinician who will be working with you is responsible for coordinating the services which you would like to receive and explaining the program rules and regulations.

If you have questions about any of the information, please feel free to ask any MHSACSO employee for assistance. We are very interested in ways we can help or improve upon what we are doing in our efforts to better serve you, so please let us hear from you in this regard.

Consumer Rights

In providing services for you, we want to protect and promote your fundamental human, legal and civil rights. These rights are guaranteed by the United States Constitution, the Constitution of Oklahoma, and other Federal and State laws.

CONSUMER BILL OF RIGHTS

(Summary Format)

1. Each consumer has the right to be treated with respect and dignity.

2. Each consumer shall retain all rights, benefits, and privileges guaranteed by law except those lost through due process of law.

3. Each consumer has the right to receive services suited to his or her condition in a safe, sanitary, and humane living environment regardless of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, cultural orientation, ethnicity, age, degree of disability, handicapping condition.

4. Each consumer, on admission, shall have the absolute right to private uncensored communication with a relative, friend, clergy, or attorney by phone or mail, at the facility’s expense if the consumer is indigent.

5. Each consumer retains the right of confidential communication with his or her attorney, personal physician, or clergy.

6. Each consumer is entitled to uncensored private communication (letter, telephone, personal visits); such letters or copies of letters shall not be kept in consumer treatment records.

7. Each consumer has the right to receive services in a humane psychological environment which protects him or her from harm, neglect, humiliation, threat, and/or exploitation.

8. No consumer shall ever be neglected or sexually, physically, verbally, or otherwise abused or harassed nor subjected to fiduciary abuse.

9. Each consumer shall receive treatment in the least restrictive environment and have the maximum freedom of movement consistent with his or her clinical condition and legal status.

10. Each consumer shall have easy access to his or her personal funds deposited with the organization, and shall be entitled to an accounting. A limitation on access to funds may be made when it is determined by the facility’s director to be necessary and essential to prevent the consumer from unreasonably and significantly dissipating his or her assets.

11. Each consumer may have his or her own clothing and other personal possessions. This right can be forfeited if the property is potentially dangerous to the consumer, others, or if the property is functionally unsafe.

12. Each consumer shall have the right to practice his or her religious belief and be accorded the opportunity for religious worship. No consumer shall be coerced into engaging in or refraining from any religious activity, practice, or belief.

13. Each consumer legally entitled to vote shall be assisted to register and vote when he or she so requests.

14. Each consumer shall be provided with prompt, competent, and appropriate treatment; and an individualized treatment plan. A consumer shall participate in his or her treatment programs, shall receive sufficient information to facilitate decision making, and may consent or refuse to consent to the proposed treatment. The right to consent or refuse to consent may be abridged for those consumers adjudged incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction and in emergency situations as defined by law. If the consumer permits, family shall be involved.

15. Each consumer has the right to express his or her preferences regarding choice of primary clinician and/or case manager.

16. Every consumer’s record shall be treated in a confidential manner.

17. No consumer shall be required to participate in any research project or medical experiment without his or her informed consent as defined by law. Refusal to participate shall not affect the services available to the consumer.

18. Each consumer may voluntarily participate in work therapy and must be paid fair compensation. However, each consumer is responsible for personal housekeeping tasks without compensation.

19. Each consumer shall have the right to assert grievances with respect to an alleged infringement on his or her rights.

20. Consumers shall be permitted to establish and participate in a consumer committee or consumer government by unit or facility wide.

21. Each consumer served in a residential setting has the right to receive services in an environment which respects privacy and promotes personal security and safety.

22. Each consumer being discharged shall have plans for outpatient treatment, sufficient medication, suitable clothing for the season, housing information and referral, and if consumer permits, family involvement in the plan.

23. Each consumer has the right to request the opinion of an outside medical or psychiatric consultant at his or her own expense or a right to an internal consultation upon request at no expense.

24. No consumer shall be retaliated against or subject to any adverse change of conditions or treatment solely or partially because of his or her having asserted his or her rights.

If you have a concern about your rights which you think has not been adequately addressed by MHSACSO staff, you may also contact the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Office of Consumer Affairs, at 405-522-4148.

Grievance Procedures

If you think your rights have been violated in any manner, we have a way for you to let us know. If you feel this has happened to you, we are very interested in knowing about this as soon as possible. Here is a brief overview of our grievance procedure with specific steps for you to follow. If you have any questions or need help with anything about these steps, just ask any MHSACSO employee for assistance.

First:

You are encouraged to communicate your concern to a staff member or program representative. If you are uncomfortable bringing up a concern on your own, you may request a staff member to assist in seeking a resolution to the problem.

Second:

If the concern is not resolved to your satisfaction after talking with the staff member, you have the right to file a formal written complaint. If you need assistance in writing your complaint, assistance will be provided. You, or the staff who is assisting you, should contact the appropriate supervisor. The supervisor will attempt to resolve your concern.

Third:

If you remain dissatisfied with the outcome, you may appeal to the Unit Coordinator. You will receive a written response from the Unit Coordinator to your complaint.

Fourth:

If you are dissatisfied with the decision of the Unit Coordinator, you may appeal to the Clinical Director. The decision of the Clinical Director will be final.

If you want or an individual of your choosing wants more specific information regarding the process, please ask to receive a copy of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers of Southern Oklahoma’s Procedure, C8-1, “Consumers’ Rights and Responsibilities.

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· relate your difficulties to your primary clinician as honestly and completely as possible;

· complete all forms as honestly as possible and ask questions about anything that you do not fully understand;

· inform your primary clinician of any changes in your personal situation such as name, address, phone number, or income;

· see your primary clinician as required if you are receiving mental health medications;

· inform your primary clinician if you have or think you might have any communicable disease;

Confidentiality

MHSACSO employees will respect your privacy and keep confidential all information obtained in the course of the treatment process unless you give written, informed consent for the release of information, except in the case of an emergency as defined by law or by court order. Your records may also be subject to audit by external funding sources.

Code of Ethics

MHSACSO expects all of its employees to conduct themselves at all times in a professional manner. We require that each employee follows our code of ethics or conduct. This code covers such things as discrimination, maintaining the privacy of our consumers, relationships with consumers, how employees represent themselves to consumers and what to do if you or we believe one of our employees is violating this code. If you have further questions, ask to receive a copy of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers of Southern Oklahoma’s Procedure, P2-2, “Mandatory Guidelines For Ethical Conduct”.

Treatment Assessment and Plan

All persons who receive services from us request the kind of services they want and what they hope to change or accomplish. We call this a Treatment Assessment and Plan. This plan describes what you hope to accomplish from receiving our services, how this will be done, and will establish goals for determining when you have completed your plan and are ready for discharge.

Fees

MHSACSO is a non-profit organization and requires that those who have the capability to pay for services to do so.

If you have Medicaid or Medicare, MHSACSO will bill Medicaid/Medicare for you. Please help the agency collect payment by making sure the information MHSACSO has regarding your Medicaid/Medicare status is current.

If you have private insurance but you do not have Medicaid or Medicare, MHSACSO will expect payment for service on the day the service is rendered. While MHSACSO will not file your insurance for you, staff will assist you by providing you with a form which will contain sufficient information for you to file your own claim with your insurance company.

If you are covered by a contract which MHSACSO might have with your employer or school, it will be your obligation to provide proof of coverage, such as a letter from your employer or school.

Safety

We are committed to providing you with a safe environment. A diagram of the building, with an evacuation plan, is posted for your information. Please familiarize yourself with the building and the plan. If you cannot locate the plan, please ask any MHSACSO employee to point it out to you.