Client Rights and Grievance Procedure

CLIENT RIGHTS
When you receive any type of services for your mental health, developmental disability or your alcohol/drug addiction you have the following rights under Wisconsin Statute Sec. 51.61(1) and the Wisconsin Administrative Code HSS 94.

  • You must be treated with dignity and respect, free of any verbal or physical abuse from all staff.
  • You have the right to have staff make fair and reasonable decisions about your treatment and care.
  • You can decide whether you want to participate in religious services.
  • You cannot be made to work except for personal housekeeping chores. If you agree to do other work, you must be paid.
  • You can make your own decisions about things like getting married, voting and writing a will (unless rights waived under Ch.55 or 880).
  • You cannot be treated differently because of your race, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability or sexual orientation.
  • You must be provided prompt and adequate treatment, rehabilitation and educational services appropriate for you.
  • You must be encouraged and allowed to participate in the planning of your treatment and care.
  • You must be informed of your treatment and care, including alternatives and possible side effects of medications.
  • No treatment or medication may be given to you without your consent, unless it is needed in an emergency to prevent serious physical harm to you or others, or a court orders it. (If you have a guardian, however, your guardian can consent to treatment and medications on your behalf.)
  • You cannot be subject to electro-convulsive therapy or any drastic treatment measures such as psychosurgery or experimental research without your written informed consent.
  • You must be treated with dignity and respect, free of any verbal or physical abuse from all staff.
  • You must be informed of any costs of your care and treatment that you or your relatives may have to pay.
  • You must be treated in the least restrictive manner and setting necessary to allow the maximum amount of personal and physical freedom necessary to meet your needs. Involuntary clients can ask a court to review the order to place them in a facility. (Note exception of clients under s.51.35(3) or 51.37, Stats., or under Ch.971 or 975, Stats.)
  • You may call or write to public officials or your lawyer or advocate.
  • You may not be filmed or taped unless you agree to it.
  • You may use your own money as you choose, within limits. (Exception for those clients with a representative payee).
  • You have access to a grievance procedure to ensure your rights. You cannot be threatened or penalized in any way for filing a grievance (See “Access to Grievance Procedure” below.)
  • You have the right for your services provider (Green County Human Services) to assist you in exercising and of these rights outlined or specified under Ch.51, Stats., or HSS 94.
  • You have the right to receive copies of program manuals, guidelines and licensing and certification rules, if you so choose.

AT NO TIME ARE YOU REQUIRED TO WAIVE (GIVE UP) ANY OF YOUR RIGHTS UNDER CH.51, STATS., OR HSS 94 (OUTLINED IN THIS FORM) AS A CONDITION OF ADMISSION OR RECEIPT OF TREATMENT AND SERVICES.

RECORD PRIVACY AND ACCESS LAWS
Under Wisconsin Statute sec. 51.30 and HSS 92, Wisconsin Administrative Code:

  • Your treatment information must be kept private (confidential).
  • Your records cannot be released without your consent, unless the law specifically allows for it
  • You can ask to see your records. You must be shown any records about your physical health or medications. Staff may limit limit how much you can see of the rest of your records while you are receiving services. You must be informed of the reasons for any such limits. You can challenge those reasons in the grievance process. After discharge, you can see your entire record if you ask to do so.
  • If you believe something in your records is wrong, you can challenge its accuracy. If staff will not change the part of your record you have challenged, you can put your own version in the record.

ACCESS TO GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
 Many complaints can be quickly resolved in an informal manner. If you have a complaint in regard to the above rights, please ask to speak with the Unit Supervisor or the Client Rights Specialist of Green County Human Services and attempt to resolve the matter informally. If this does not work, you have the right to file a written grievance. Information and forms for filing a grievance are available upon request. You may, at the end of the grievance process, or any time during it, choose to take the matter to court.

Green County Human Services Grievance Procedure

Green County Human Services Grievance Form