Consumer Rights

As a consumer of Clara Martin Center, you have the right to:

1. The basic civil and legal rights accorded to all citizens.
2. Treatment, regardless of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability. 
3. A humane psychological and physical treatment environment, freedom from emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, punishment, fiduciary abuse, retaliation, humiliation, and neglect.
4. Ethical treatment that meets the standards of the Agency and of the discipline of the person(s) providing treatment/training.
5. Receive prompt and adequate treatment and/or rehabilitation services appropriate for your condition according to commonly accepted professional standards.
6. Participate in the development of your treatment plan.  Where appropriate, family/significant others shall have the opportunity to participate in your treatment plan development. Discharge planning will be initiated at the earliest point in the treatment planning process.
7. Exercise control over your own actions, decisions, wishes and desires as any other person of comparable age. 
8. The least restrictive conditions necessary to achieve the purpose of treatment.  You have the right not to be subjected to adverse treatment procedures without the express and informed consent of you or your guardian.
9. Be informed of your condition and progress.
10. Have your treatment record and all information about you kept confidential except where state law or court order requires disclosure.  Consents and authorizations for release of information will be in accordance with Clara Martin Center policies on privacy and confidentiality.
11. The right to request the receipt of protected health information by alternative means or at alternative locations for the purpose of confidential communications.  The reasonableness of the request will in part be judged by the administrative difficulty and expense of complying with the request.
12. Be free of unnecessary or excessive medication.
13. Be informed of the effects/side effects of your medication.
14. Refuse medication with the following exception:
• Except after a court hearing and final commitment order. 
15. Not to be subjected to experimental research without express and informed consent of you and/or your guardian.  If consent is given, you may withdraw it at any time. All research that the Clara Martin Center participates in will adhere to ethical and clinical research guidelines.
16. Petition the court for review of any civil commitment order, in accordance with the provisions of the law.
17. Be informed in a manner consistent with your ability to understand the rights specified herein.  Your signature (or your guardian’s) will serve as acknowledgement of receipt of this information.
18. Due process with regard to grievance.
19. Refuse to provide authorizations for the use and disclosure of protected health information; except if the treatment is research-related or if the health information is to be created for the purpose of disclosure to a third party.
20. Resource information for legal services for appropriate representation.
21. Resource information to self-help and advocacy support services.
22. Investigation and resolution of alleged infringement of rights.
23. Informed consent or refusal or expression of choice regarding service delivery, release of information, concurrent services, composition of service delivery team and involvement in research project.