Privacy Policy
It is the policy of Four Oaks to assure basic human rights to our population served: children and families throughout the State of Iowa. Client rights include the right to dignity, privacy, humane care, and freedom from mental and physical abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Four Oaks assures that it respects the following rights of clients and families it serves.
• Right to be free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or religion
• Right to confidentiality, including client records
• Right to information in a manner that the client or legal guardian can understand that allows for an informed choice about the use of services, including the range of service available at Four Oaks, the alleged benefits and potential risks of proposed services
• Right to consent or refuse any service, treatment, or medication, unless such rights have been limited by law or court order, and to be informed of the potential consequences of such refusal (i.e. continuation of symptoms, deterioration, or a change in Four Oaks’ ability to provide services). Consent may be withdrawn at any time by the person who gave the consent. At no time will a minor be discharged from services upon the minor’s request alone.
• Right to be free from unnecessary or excessive medication. Medication shall be administered only upon the order of a physician as documented in the client’s record and, for those medications known to present serous risk to the client, under the close supervision of the prescribing physician. Medication will not be used for punishment, discipline, or staff convenience.
• Right to services and supports that promote a safe, respectful, and least restrictive environment. These include:
Promoting coping and engagement skills that are alternatives to injurious behavior to self or others
Providing choices of activities meaningful to the client
Sharing of control over decisions with the client or legal guardian and staff
• Right to be informed in writing prior to service delivery or at the time of service of any fees for service
• Right not to be subjected to sexual advances, sexual harassment, or sexual offenses of any nature
• Right not to be subjected to any kind of harassment or violence towards others
• Right not to be required or encouraged to deliver public statements of gratitude to the agency
• Right to have identity protected in the context of any agency reports, statistical analyses, or case summaries published as a result of participation in the routine plan of service
• Right to not be filmed or taped without the informed written consent of the client or legal guardian
• Right to access a grievance procedure to ensure all rights or to express dissatisfaction with the services provided
• Right not to be sold to the client or have purchased from the client any goods or services by the agency or any agency representative
Each client will be made aware of their rights and an understanding of their rights will be documented. Client Rights and Responsibilities are reviewed annually by all employees.
Four Oaks understands that the rights of clients may be restricted through due process. Four Oaks will comply with sanctioned restrictions on client rights to the extent permitted by law.
Four Oaks does not impose restrictions on outpatient clients.
PROCEDURE:
1. Awareness
Client rights are posted in all reception areas within Four Oaks facilities.
All clients will be given a description and receive an explanation of their rights and responsibilities upon initial contact with Four Oaks staff. Client rights and responsibilities will be reviewed annually.
2. Understanding
Clients receive an explanation in a language or form that is appropriate for their ability to understand. After reviewing, the client signs the form, indicating an understanding of rights and responsibilities.
Four Oaks encourages family members to assist in communication, as available, and when appropriate, can access community resources to assist clients with special needs in understanding their rights and responsibilities. Examples of community resources that assist with comprehension are multilingual instructors (for non-English speaking clients) and signing instructors (for the hearing-impaired) from local educational institutions. If individual instruction is necessary to ensure that a client fully understands the rights and responsibilities afforded to them, staff can provide this training as requested.
In addition to community resources, Foreign Language Translation is available through AT&T. Staff can obtain an AT&T operator by dialing “O” and requesting the Language Identification Line Services. This is a fee-related service.