Client Rights/Grievance Procedures

CLIENT RIGHTS

Native Healing Program shall ensure that client rights are fully protected, including:

All rights guaranteed under the constitution and laws of the United States, the Oglala Sioux Tribe, and the State of South Dakota:

a. The right to refuse extraordinary treatment;

b. The right to be free of any exploitation or abuse.

c. The right to seek and have access to legal counsel;

d. The right to confidentiality of all records, correspondence and information relating to assessment, diagnosis and treatment in accordance with the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) and the confidentiality regulations found in 42 C.F.R. Part 2.

e. Native Healing Program provides services to each client in a manner that is responsive to the client’s need in the areas of age, gender, social support, cultural orientation, sexual orientation and spiritual beliefs.

f. Right to participate in decision making related to treatment, to the greatest extent possible.

g. Right to have access to an advocate.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

If a client feels any of their rights have been violated by NHP staff, the client will have the right to express their grievance by using the following procedures:

The client will state their grievance in writing and present it to their assigned counselor and the Clinical Supervisor. A meeting will be arranged so the client can discuss their grievance with the assigned counselor and the Clinical Supervisor, where a resolution can be reached. If the client feels an acceptable resolution cannot be reached concerning their grievance, the client can then proceed to the next level, which will include a meeting with the NHP Director.

A meeting with the NHP Director will be arranged and a decision made by the NHP Director regarding the client’s grievance. If the client feels a resolution can still not be made to their satisfaction at this level with the NHP Director, the client can then proceed to the next level of resolution, which will include a meeting with the OST Chief of Staff.

A meeting with the OST Chief of Staff will be arranged and a decision made by the State of South Dakota regarding the client’s grievance. This will represent the final judgement of the client’s grievance process.