Client Rights

Each client of the Clark Community Mental Health Center has the following specific rights:

1. To receive prompt evaluation, care, and treatment in the least restrictive environment;
2. To receive these services in a clean and safe setting;
3. To not be denied admission or services because of race, color, sex, national origin, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, inability to pay, Medicare, Medicaid, or Children's Health Insurance Program Coverage.
4. To confidentiality of information and records in accordance with federal and state law and regulation;
5. To be treated with dignity and addressed in a respectful, age-appropriate manner;
6. To be free from abuse, neglect, corporal punishment, and other mistreatment such as humiliation, threats, exploitation, or retaliation;
7. To be the subject of an experiment or research only with one's informed, written consent, or the consent of an individual legally authorized to act;
8. To have their treatment plan and other records explained to them;
9. To have access to their own records and information pertinent to the person served in sufficient time to facilitate his or her decision-making.
10. To consent to or refuse any treatment offered, including consideration of concurrent services both internally or externally, and to provide input regarding the makeup of their treatment team and consent to or revoke any release of information to other entities.
11. To medical care and treatment in accordance with accepted standards of medical practice;
12. To consult with a private, licensed practitioner at one's own expense;
13. To have the same legal rights and responsibilities as any other citizen unless otherwise stated by law.
14. To have access or referral to legal entities for appropriate representation, self-help support services and advocacy support services.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES: Clients have a right to express their opinions, recommendations and grievances. They may do so verbally or in writing to any staff member or through the suggestion boxes located in the lobby of each building.

Complaints may be made to the Quality Assurance and Improvement Director at 417-476-1022. A formal grievance, submitted on a Grievance Form, will be investigated by the QA/QI Director and presented to the executive management staff within two weeks of receipt. Recommendations of decision and course of action to be taken will be given in writing to all relevant parties no longer than 30 days from the receipt of the grievance.

Any client who feels that their rights were violated in any way and cannot be properly addressed through the above process should contact the Chief Executive Officer at 417-476-1030.

If a grievance cannot be resolved in this manner, a written appeal may be made to: Office of Constituent Services, P.O. Box 687, Jefferson City, MO 65102 or call 800-364-9687