Client Rights & responsibilities
Adapted from the Florida Patient’s Bill of Rights and Responsibilities, Florida Mental Health Law, and Directions for Living Policies and Procedures:
Your Rights
- To be treated with courtesy and respect, including appreciation of your individual dignity, and protection of your need for privacy
- To quality treatment
- To prompt and reasonable responses to questions and requests
- To know who is responsible for your care and his or her qualifications
- To know what client support services are available, including whether a translator or interpreter is available if you do not speak English, or are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
- To know what rules and regulations apply to your conduct
- To be given information concerning diagnosis, recommended course of treatment, alternatives, risks, and prognosis, to guide in treatment decisions. In the case of prevention services, you have the right to be given information regarding the service being provided, expected outcome of that service and any risks related to participation in that service.
- To refuse any treatment, except as otherwise provided by law
- To be given full information regarding fees for services, available financial resources for your care, and an itemized bill upon request
- To impartial access to services or accommodations, regardless of sex, gender identity, race, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, physical handicap, or resource of payment (Medicaid, CHIP, Medicare or inability to pay). If you believe you have been discriminated against in any way, please assist us in our commitment to providing impartial services by contacting the Senior Director of Quality and Risk Management at (727) 524-4464 extension 1704.
- To give consent or refusal to participate in experimental research
- To express grievances regarding any violation of your rights, including abuse or neglect, as stated in Florida law, through the grievance procedure of Directions for Living. This information is provided during the orientation process and is posted in office reception areas. In order to seek additional information or assistance or to file a service complaint, you can contact Central Florida Behavioral Health Network at 813-740-4811, DCF’s Regional Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health in our area at 941-554-1719. To express a violation of your rights, clients can also contact the Department of Children and Families at 850-487-1111 or Disability Rights Florida at 1-800-342-0823. To report abuse or neglect, contact the Florida Abuse Hot Line at 1-800-962-2873.
- To receive services in a safe and healthy environment
- To participate in the development and review of treatment/service and discharge planning
- To seek and/or receive services from the provider of your choice
Your Responsibilities
- To provide accurate and complete information to the best of your ability.
- To report changes in your condition, living arrangements, and financial/insurance status.
- To report whether or not you understand a suggested course of action and what is expected of you.
- To follow the treatment plan agreed upon by you and your service provider.
- To ask questions and discuss concerns regarding your treatment as they arise.
- To keep appointments regularly and to call and cancel any appointments you cannot keep at least 24-hours in advance. Failure to keep appointments regularly may lead to your case being closed and being discharged as a client of Directions for Living. If your case is closed, you will have to re-apply for services.
- To accept any outcomes that result from refusing treatment or not following the service provider’s instructions.
- To pay fees as promptly as possible. When there are difficulties meeting this responsibility, you can make arrangements with your service provider or a representative from the billing department to pay as soon as possible. Failure to make arrangements for payment may lead to your case being closed.
- To treat all other people in the facility with courtesy and respect.
- To refrain from attending appointments when actively infectious or contagious and seek appropriate medical treatment before returning for services.
- To permit the Department of Children and Families, Juvenile Welfare Board, Central Florida Behavioral Health Network and other funding sources to review the information regarding your treatment or services if they help pay for your treatment or services provided by Directions for Living.
- To follow the facility rules regarding conduct as follows:
- Avoid being violent or threatening to team members, visitors, or other clients. You will be denied services if you become violent or threatening, or destroy property which does not belong to you. If you become violent, our team members may use crisis intervention techniques to protect you, themselves, others, and/or property.
- Do not bring weapons of any kind into a Directions for Living facility. If it is discovered that you have a weapon, you will be required to leave immediately, and we will inform a law enforcement agency in the event of any threatening behavior.
- Avoid bringing any illegal substance in or around Directions for Living property. If it is discovered that you have an illegal substance with you, you will be required to leave immediately and we may inform a law enforcement agency, as needed.
- Avoid exposing team members, visitors or other clients to contagious diseases or conditions such as lice, scabies, active tuberculosis, infectious hepatitis, or other contagious diseases. Services can be refused to anyone who has, or claims to have, a currently contagious disease or condition until appropriate medical attention has been initiated and the physical condition is no longer contagious.
- Directions for Living is a smoke-free environment. There is a designated smoking area for Directions for Living guests outside both the Clearwater and Largo Center buildings.
- Wear appropriate clothing when in or around our buildings.