Recipient Rights

Office of Recipient Rights

What is the Office of Recipient Rights?

All persons who receive mental health and/or substance use services have protected rights that are defined in the Michigan Mental Health Code. The Mental Health Code ensures that all Community Mental Health Organizations have an Office of Recipient Rights where a complaint can be filed and investigated when someone believes that a recipient’s rights have been violated

Your Rights

Every person who receives public mental health services has certain rights to protect them. Your rights specific to mental health services are identified in the Michigan Mental Health Code, the law that governs the delivery of public mental health and developmental disability services in Michigan. Some of your rights include:

  • the right to be free from abuse and neglect
  • the right to confidentiality (privacy)
  • the right to be treated with dignity and respect
  • the right to services that meet your needs

You have many other rights specific to your mental health services. More information about your rights is contained in the booklet titled “Your Rights when Receiving Mental Health Services in Michigan.” You will receive this booklet, and have your rights explained to you, when you first start services, and then once every year. You may ask for this booklet, or ask questions about your rights, at any time.

How do I file a complaint?

You may make a Recipient Rights complaint at any time if you believe your rights have been violated. Others may also make Recipient Rights complaints on your behalf.

If you believe your rights have been violated, you may contact the OnPoint Office of Recipient Rights by telephone, letter, fax, or on a Recipient Rights Complaint Form. If you need help filing a rights complaint or you want to talk about a situation, call the Office of Recipient Rights.

What happens when I file a complaint?

When someone has a complaint, the complaint will be reviewed to determine if the issue is about a right (rights complaint), about services that are being received or have been denied, suspended, or terminated (an appeal), or about another concern that is not a rights issue (a grievance). This will ensure that the concern is directed to the correct department/person for review.

A letter to let you know we received your complaint will be mailed to you within 5 business days from the date we received the complaint. The letter will let you know what will happen with your complaint.

The Rights Office may intervene on your behalf or conduct an investigation. During an investigation, the Rights Officer will talk with the person who filed the complaint, the recipient whose rights were allegedly violated, and anyone else who might have information about the alleged violation. The Rights Officer will also review clinical records.

Within 90 days the investigation will be completed and the complainant (person who filed the complaint), the recipient whose rights were allegedly violated, and the recipient’s guardian (if applicable) will receive a letter with information on the outcome of the investigation and information on how to appeal the determination of the rights office.

Resources

If you believe that one of your rights has been violated, you (or someone on your behalf) may use this form to make a complaint. To learn more, please download our available resources (PDF's).

Contact

OnPoint - Office of Recipient Rights
Kelsey Newsome, Recipient Rights Director
540 Jenner Drive
Allegan, MI 49010
Direct Line: 269-628-5715
Toll Free:
1-800-795-6617 ext. 2745
Email: knewsome@onpointallegan.org

 

Additional Resources