1. Persons served have the right to receive treatment/services that are ethical, suited to their individual needs, and that promote dignity, respect, independence, self esteem and quality of life.

1. Persons served have the right to receive services from a qualified staff person assigned specifically to the client to work on resolving problems and coordinating services.
2. Persons served have the right to receive services in a manner sensitive to each person's age, gender, social preferences, cultural orientation, psychological characteristics, sexual preferences, physical situations, and spiritual beliefs.
3. The right to receive timely services regardless of the ability to pay.
4. The right to receive a referral to treatment/services that are deemed clinically necessary and/or desired by the person served.

2. Persons served have the right to informed choice through involvement in the individual planning, decision making, implementation and evaluation of the services they will receive. Additionally, persons served have the right to:

1. Have the reason for admission explained and consent to receive those services,
2. Be informed, both verbally and in writing, of their rights through program orientation process and distribution of client orientation pamphlet,
3. An explanation of any medication that is prescribed by a physician, including the possible side effects it may have and possible results of long term use, and
4. Know how much money treatment may cost and how the amount is decided at the time of admission.

3. Persons served have the right to, confidentiality and informed consent regarding the release of treatment information.

1. Persons served shall have the right to determine the information to be released either to or from anyone outside the agency by signing a Release of Information Form.
2. Persons served shall have the right to refuse to be photographed, filmed or taped recorded without permission.

4. Persons served have the right to receive services in a safe, secure and supportive environment that does not infringe on their rights, and are free from threatening, humiliating, and exploiting actions; psychological abuse; physical abuse, including sexual abuse; and physical punishment. Additionally, persons served will be afforded the right to:

1. Refuse medication, except when it is court ordered, or in emergency situations as defined by Florida Statutes,
2. Refuse any service unless the service has been ordered by a court, or in emergency situation when necessary to prevent harm to themselves or others, and
3. Refuse to take part in experimental studies without their written permission.

5. Staff will exhaust all possible alternatives prior to the implementation of any behavior management techniques that may infringe on the rights of the person served, and use restrictive treatment techniques only when they would be in the best interest of the health and safety of persons served.

1. Implementation of restrictive procedures will only be initiated under the order of a physician, within strict guidance of a written, approved and adopted procedure, and only within the time frames prescribed. To ensure the rights of persons served, staff will be required to:

1. Fully document the need, use and steps of a behavior management technique and/or restrictive procedure.
2. Discuss with the person served the reason for the procedures and the criteria for termination, which shall be documented.
3. Provide ongoing encouragement throughout the use of the technique or procedure.
4. Conduct ongoing review and evaluation of all behavior management techniques and restrictive procedure utilized within a program.

6. That persons served have the right to a grievance process/appeal procedure when they feel they may have been abused, had their rights violated, or are dissatisfied with decisions regarding their treatment and care.

1. Persons served will be afforded the right to file a grievance as a formal notice of dissatisfaction regarding services, center policies and procedures, or a violation of clients' rights as outlined in the Client Grievance Procedure.
2. Persons served will be afforded the right to report their feelings of Abuse to the Florida Abuse Registry or Client Advocate whose contact phone numbers will be maintained in all program areas and provided during orientation.
3. Persons served will be afforded the right to access of client advocacy services both internal and external to the agency.
4. Names and phone numbers will be disseminated during orientation and displayed prominently within program areas.

7. All staff will be trained in regard to client rights as part of the New Hire Orientation and will update this training on an annual basis.

8. Clients will be informed of their rights at the time of admission to the agency and on an annual basis.

PATIENTS RIGHTS IN FLORIDA MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES

RIGHT TO INDIVIDUAL DIGNITY:

• to be respected at all times
• to have freedom of movement unless restricted as a part of treatment or by a judge
• to be free from abuse or neglect

RIGHT TO TREATMENT:

• to receive treatment regardless of your ability to pay
• to receive treatment in the least restrictive setting possible

RIGHT TO EXPRESS AND INFORMED CONSENT:

• to be informed about the nature of your treatment
• to consent or not to consent to treatment unless restricted by a judge or in an emergency
• to be provided through the court a guardian advocate, if necessary, to help with decisions regarding your treatment

RIGHT TO QUALITY TREATMENT:

• to receive treatment that is skillfully, safely, and humanely administered
• to receive such medical, vocational, social. educational and rehabilitative services as are needed

RIGHT TO COMMUNICATION, ABUSE REPORTING, AND VISITS:

• to send and receive mail and communication by telephone unless restricted as a part of your treatment
• to have visitors at reasonable house unless such visitation is restricted as a part of your treatment
• to have access to a telephone any time to report abuse or neglect (1-800-96ABUSE)

RIGHT TO THE CARE AND CUSTODY OF PERSONAL EFFECTS:

• to have your right to personal clothing and belongings respected
• to know that the facility administrator must maintain safe custody of your belongings taken for medical and safety reasons

RIGHT TO VOTE IN PUBLIC ELECTIONS:

• to vote in all public elections if eligible
• to know that there is a process for you to obtain voter registration forms and application for absentee ballots

RIGHT TO EDUCATION OF CHILDREN:

• to receive education and training as appropriate
• to ensure such education and training is provided in the least restrictive setting possible

RIGHT TO A CLINICAL RECORD THAT IS CONFIDENTIAL:

• to designate, if legally competent, who or which agencies shall receive information about your treatment
• to know that only a court can get information from your clinical record

RIGHT TO PETITION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS:

• to question the cause and legality of your detention
• to ask the court to order the release

RIGHT TO DESIGNATE REPRESENTATIVES:

• to designate a person to receive notice if you are admitted to a hospital or residential program

RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN TREATMENT AND DISCHARGE PLANNING:

• to help make decisions about your treatment
• to help make plans for your discharge