COLLABORATION. ColumbiaCare believes that collaboration is a key component in promoting the welfare of persons with mental illness. This principle is built into our agency mission and design. We believe that "community mental health" requires the involvement and support of treatment providers, local government, fellow community members, friends and family.
ColumbiaCare believes that the stigma that comes from fear and misunderstanding can be a barrier to recovery for those who have a mental illness. Likewise, understanding, support and encouragement can be an extremely vital component in client care. In order to best encourage collaboration, we want to acknowledge and address safety concerns, make useful information accessible, express our commitment to protecting the rights of our residents, keep open the lines of communication, and, ultimately and ideally, have you get involved in a positive way.
SAFETY. ColumbiaCare is committed to the safety and well-being of both our residents and community members. As we develop residential service programs, we put this statement into action by adhering to a community integration process which includes:
LIVABILITY. For the purposes of its importance to good community relations, the term "livability" basically means quality of life. We are in the business of providing this for our clients, and just as we expect goodwill and common courtesy from community members and neighbors, we have the same obligation to them. We all live in the same community and have the same desires, concerns, and expectations for the peaceful enjoyment of our homes and public spaces. We consider and promote this at every level of our residential programming, including development practices, staff training, ongoing property maintenance, and even client skills training around how to be successful in the community. We always aim to have one of the nicest properties on the block and maintain curb appeal. Not only is the right environment for our clients, it also impacts overall property values in the area. We require staff to respect and obey traffic laws and honor parking agreements. We listen to and share with the right person any neighbor concerns so they can be quickly responded to and addressed. We respect quiet hours. And last but not least, we proactively look for ways to be good neighbors.
EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, AND OUTREACH. As ColumbiaCare endeavors to develop vital services in various communities, one of the greatest challenges and opportunities is community education, or making information known to the public in such a way that citizens are less likely to feel "anxious" about sharing the neighborhood with a residential program for those with mental illness, and become more likely to 'advocate' on behalf of the people living there. Ideally, those who are properly informed and educated about the realities of mental illness have less need to rely on stories they have heard, and will tend not to regard mental illness as it is often spotlighted and misrepresented in the media.
It is understandable that someone without any experience or accurate information might have negative feelings about what they do not understand. We also realize that, even after best efforts are made, there will be citizens who continue to have concerns about having a facility in their neighborhood.
In either case, it is our responsibility and desire to ease tension and overcome objections, and yet continue to move forward with the project at hand.
It is important to mention that ColumbiaCare will not participate in discriminatory housing practices, nor will we deny nor infringe upon our residents' rights or privacy based on
That being said, ColumbiaCare will provide truthful information about its facilities, service programs and resident selection process when introducing a new residential project to the neighborhood. While there is no need to draw attention to worst-case scenarios, ColumbiaCare builds trust through communication. We take pride in the services we provide to those who both need them and are entitled to them.
Next, ColumbiaCare provides additional education about our company, service programs, facilities, and mental illness in general, through one-on-one conversations, written informational materials, the Community Cares website, and various small community meetings and open houses. ColumbiaCare attempts to provide concerned citizens with a better understanding as to the nature of mental illness in its full spectrum; to demonstrate that people with mental illness who live in a community residential setting can function and make valuable contributions to society; and to help people realize that a safe, caring and treatment-oriented atmosphere can help those who suffer from mental illness feel better, and therefore get better, which ultimately results in healthier and safer individuals and communities.
INVOLVEMENT. Last but not least, ColumbiaCare offers the opportunity for neighbors and community members to get involved. It is remarkably effective when a concerned citizen gains understanding and then passes it on to another. Advocacy works, and eradicating the stigma around mental illness is truly a community effort that has a positive impact on everyone involved.
ColumbiaCare believes that the stigma that comes from fear and misunderstanding can be a barrier to recovery for those who have a mental illness. Likewise, understanding, support and encouragement can be an extremely vital component in client care. In order to best encourage collaboration, we want to acknowledge and address safety concerns, make useful information accessible, express our commitment to protecting the rights of our residents, keep open the lines of communication, and, ultimately and ideally, have you get involved in a positive way.
SAFETY. ColumbiaCare is committed to the safety and well-being of both our residents and community members. As we develop residential service programs, we put this statement into action by adhering to a community integration process which includes:
- Ensuring appropriate resident placement through careful and appropriate screening and placement procedures;
- Carefully designing and building into each particular facility with the appropriate level of physical safeguards based on the level of care;
- Coordinating with local law enforcement, public officials, partnering provider agencies and interested community members to proactively address emergency response plans which may include instructions such as when and how the general public should communicate concerns, and to whom; when and how staff will report facility incidents to local law enforcement; and how both local law enforcement and ColumbiaCare can best address an issue should one arise in a timely, respectful and responsive manner.
- Going above and beyond to recruit and retain highly qualified and professional staff to provide the appropriate level of staff supervision and treatment;
- Staying dedicated to the ColumbiaCare mission and ultimate goal of providing quality treatment which "provides residents a pathway to achieving the same things that all humans need to not only feel safe and well taken care of, but to contribute and thrive".
LIVABILITY. For the purposes of its importance to good community relations, the term "livability" basically means quality of life. We are in the business of providing this for our clients, and just as we expect goodwill and common courtesy from community members and neighbors, we have the same obligation to them. We all live in the same community and have the same desires, concerns, and expectations for the peaceful enjoyment of our homes and public spaces. We consider and promote this at every level of our residential programming, including development practices, staff training, ongoing property maintenance, and even client skills training around how to be successful in the community. We always aim to have one of the nicest properties on the block and maintain curb appeal. Not only is the right environment for our clients, it also impacts overall property values in the area. We require staff to respect and obey traffic laws and honor parking agreements. We listen to and share with the right person any neighbor concerns so they can be quickly responded to and addressed. We respect quiet hours. And last but not least, we proactively look for ways to be good neighbors.
EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, AND OUTREACH. As ColumbiaCare endeavors to develop vital services in various communities, one of the greatest challenges and opportunities is community education, or making information known to the public in such a way that citizens are less likely to feel "anxious" about sharing the neighborhood with a residential program for those with mental illness, and become more likely to 'advocate' on behalf of the people living there. Ideally, those who are properly informed and educated about the realities of mental illness have less need to rely on stories they have heard, and will tend not to regard mental illness as it is often spotlighted and misrepresented in the media.
It is understandable that someone without any experience or accurate information might have negative feelings about what they do not understand. We also realize that, even after best efforts are made, there will be citizens who continue to have concerns about having a facility in their neighborhood.
In either case, it is our responsibility and desire to ease tension and overcome objections, and yet continue to move forward with the project at hand.
It is important to mention that ColumbiaCare will not participate in discriminatory housing practices, nor will we deny nor infringe upon our residents' rights or privacy based on
- Federal Fair Housing Law
- Americans with Disabilities Act, and/or
- The Olmstead Act
- The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
That being said, ColumbiaCare will provide truthful information about its facilities, service programs and resident selection process when introducing a new residential project to the neighborhood. While there is no need to draw attention to worst-case scenarios, ColumbiaCare builds trust through communication. We take pride in the services we provide to those who both need them and are entitled to them.
Next, ColumbiaCare provides additional education about our company, service programs, facilities, and mental illness in general, through one-on-one conversations, written informational materials, the Community Cares website, and various small community meetings and open houses. ColumbiaCare attempts to provide concerned citizens with a better understanding as to the nature of mental illness in its full spectrum; to demonstrate that people with mental illness who live in a community residential setting can function and make valuable contributions to society; and to help people realize that a safe, caring and treatment-oriented atmosphere can help those who suffer from mental illness feel better, and therefore get better, which ultimately results in healthier and safer individuals and communities.
INVOLVEMENT. Last but not least, ColumbiaCare offers the opportunity for neighbors and community members to get involved. It is remarkably effective when a concerned citizen gains understanding and then passes it on to another. Advocacy works, and eradicating the stigma around mental illness is truly a community effort that has a positive impact on everyone involved.
As it relates to residential care, ColumbiaCare is committed to protecting the rights of our residents. We, as the developer and provider of residential care, play an extremely important role in ensuring that our residents are given the opportunity to live and receive treatment in an environment free from discrimination, intimidation, and harassment. We deliver services according ColumbiaCare’s Treatment Philosophy and according to the law, both of which set important parameters and support our belief that our residents are human beings entitled to the most basic personal rights such as dignity, safety, privacy, fair treatment, and appropriate services. We hope that by providing information on this subject, we will not only help protect our resident’s rights, but also help citizens gain understanding on this very important subject. We deliver services with the following understanding:
1. OUR RESIDENTS HAVE RIGHTS AS HUMAN BEINGS. Our residents are human beings with the same personal right to dignity, safety, fair treatment, and appropriate services. ColumbiaCare Service’s treatment philosophy is guided by the research and insights of Abraham Maslow and Victor Frankl. Maslow (Motivation and Personality, 1954) described the hierarchy of needs that humans have, building from simply staying alive, to feeling safe, to being social, to contributing to society, to personal growth and fulfillment (self-actualization). Frankl (Man’s Search for Meaning, 1984) convincingly demonstrated that persons survive, and ultimately thrive, only when they have meaning in their lives.
2. OUR RESIDENTS HAVE RIGHTS TO AN APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF SERVICE. The right to receive the appropriate level of treatment in the appropriate treatment setting is crucial to the health and well-being of our residents. We believe that residential treatment programs provide important “step-down” opportunities and help create a full continuum of care. In addition to being an essential “touchstone” of our organization’s treatment philosophy and ethical position, it is supported by relevant case law. Probably the most well known is Olmstead v. L.C. 527 US 581 (1999), the Supreme Court decision which resulted in the development of Olmstead Plans that are recognized in some form, in every state.
States are required to place persons with mental disabilities in community settings rather than in institutions when the State's treatment professionals have determined that community placement is appropriate, the transfer from institutional care to a less restrictive setting is not opposed by the affected individual, and the placement can be reasonably accommodated, taking into account the resources available to the State and the needs of others with mental disabilities.
3. OUR RESIDENTS HAVE RIGHTS AS INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY. Due to the fact that our residents have a disability, they are also protected under the Americans with Disability Act (42 U.S.C. Sect. 1201 et seq). Meaning of Disability. “Disability” means an individual with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual; a record of such an impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment (42 U.S.C. Sect.12102(2).
Anti-Discrimination Mandate. “Subject to the provisions of this subchapter, no qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any such entity.” (42 U.S.C. Sect. 12132)
Congressional Findings. “Historically, society has tended to isolate and segregate individuals with disabilities, and, despite some improvements, such forms of discrimination against individuals with disabilities continue to be a serious and pervasive problem.” (42 U.S.C. Sect. 1210(a)(2) “Discrimination against individuals with disabilities persists in such critical areas as…institutionalization….” (42 U.S.C. Sect. 12101(a)(3) “Individuals with disabilities continually encounter various forms of discrimination, including outright intentional exclusion,…[and] segregation…” 42 U.S.C. Sect. 12101(a)(5)
Integration Regulation. ”A public entity shall administer services, programs, and activities in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified individuals with disabilities.” 28 CFR Sect. 35.130(d) (1998) The “most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified individuals with disabilities” means “a setting that enables individuals with disabilities to interact with non-disabled persons to the fullest extent possible.” (28 CFR pt. 35, App. A, p. 450 (1998)
4. OUR RESIDENTS HAVE RIGHTS TO FAIR HOUSING. Federal Fair Housing Law is very clear about protections for our residents. It prohibits the discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status and national origin. Its coverage includes private housing, housing that receives Federal financial assistance, and State and local government housing. It is unlawful to discriminate in any aspect of selling or renting housing or to deny a dwelling to a buyer or renter because of the disability of that individual, an individual associated with the buyer or renter, or an individual who intends to live in the residence. Other covered activities include, for example, financing, zoning practices, new construction design, and advertising.
5. OUR RESIDENTS HAVE RIGHTS TO PRIVACY. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 is the first-ever federal privacy standards to protect patients’ medical records and other health information provided to health plans, doctors, hospitals and other health care providers, which took place on April 14, 2003. They represent a uniform, federal floor of privacy protections for consumers across the country. ColumbiaCare safeguards our residents’ Protected Health Information (PHI), which consists of individually identifiable information, such as: Name, Social Security Number, Birthdate, Geographical Location, Phone Numbers, Email Addresses, Full Facial Photographs; and any Medical Record Dates or Information Related to Treatment (admission, discharge, dates of treatment, etc.) In order to maintain compliance with United States HIPAA, ColumbiaCare follows standards and procedures which all employees will refer to in order to maintain this compliance.
2. OUR RESIDENTS HAVE RIGHTS TO AN APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF SERVICE. The right to receive the appropriate level of treatment in the appropriate treatment setting is crucial to the health and well-being of our residents. We believe that residential treatment programs provide important “step-down” opportunities and help create a full continuum of care. In addition to being an essential “touchstone” of our organization’s treatment philosophy and ethical position, it is supported by relevant case law. Probably the most well known is Olmstead v. L.C. 527 US 581 (1999), the Supreme Court decision which resulted in the development of Olmstead Plans that are recognized in some form, in every state.
States are required to place persons with mental disabilities in community settings rather than in institutions when the State's treatment professionals have determined that community placement is appropriate, the transfer from institutional care to a less restrictive setting is not opposed by the affected individual, and the placement can be reasonably accommodated, taking into account the resources available to the State and the needs of others with mental disabilities.
3. OUR RESIDENTS HAVE RIGHTS AS INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY. Due to the fact that our residents have a disability, they are also protected under the Americans with Disability Act (42 U.S.C. Sect. 1201 et seq). Meaning of Disability. “Disability” means an individual with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual; a record of such an impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment (42 U.S.C. Sect.12102(2).
Anti-Discrimination Mandate. “Subject to the provisions of this subchapter, no qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any such entity.” (42 U.S.C. Sect. 12132)
Congressional Findings. “Historically, society has tended to isolate and segregate individuals with disabilities, and, despite some improvements, such forms of discrimination against individuals with disabilities continue to be a serious and pervasive problem.” (42 U.S.C. Sect. 1210(a)(2) “Discrimination against individuals with disabilities persists in such critical areas as…institutionalization….” (42 U.S.C. Sect. 12101(a)(3) “Individuals with disabilities continually encounter various forms of discrimination, including outright intentional exclusion,…[and] segregation…” 42 U.S.C. Sect. 12101(a)(5)
Integration Regulation. ”A public entity shall administer services, programs, and activities in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified individuals with disabilities.” 28 CFR Sect. 35.130(d) (1998) The “most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified individuals with disabilities” means “a setting that enables individuals with disabilities to interact with non-disabled persons to the fullest extent possible.” (28 CFR pt. 35, App. A, p. 450 (1998)
4. OUR RESIDENTS HAVE RIGHTS TO FAIR HOUSING. Federal Fair Housing Law is very clear about protections for our residents. It prohibits the discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status and national origin. Its coverage includes private housing, housing that receives Federal financial assistance, and State and local government housing. It is unlawful to discriminate in any aspect of selling or renting housing or to deny a dwelling to a buyer or renter because of the disability of that individual, an individual associated with the buyer or renter, or an individual who intends to live in the residence. Other covered activities include, for example, financing, zoning practices, new construction design, and advertising.
5. OUR RESIDENTS HAVE RIGHTS TO PRIVACY. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 is the first-ever federal privacy standards to protect patients’ medical records and other health information provided to health plans, doctors, hospitals and other health care providers, which took place on April 14, 2003. They represent a uniform, federal floor of privacy protections for consumers across the country. ColumbiaCare safeguards our residents’ Protected Health Information (PHI), which consists of individually identifiable information, such as: Name, Social Security Number, Birthdate, Geographical Location, Phone Numbers, Email Addresses, Full Facial Photographs; and any Medical Record Dates or Information Related to Treatment (admission, discharge, dates of treatment, etc.) In order to maintain compliance with United States HIPAA, ColumbiaCare follows standards and procedures which all employees will refer to in order to maintain this compliance.