Participant/Family/Guardian Rights
It is the policy of The Workshop to provide quality services in an environment where the needs of
program participants are met through the protection of individual interests. Such an environment is
based on respecting the dignity of the participant as an individual who is provided services in a
courteous and compassionate manner. The dedication of our staff to the components outlined in this
policy is essential in achieving our goal of protecting individual rights and interests.
All program participants and their family/guardian(s) shall retain all rights, benefits and privileges
guaranteed by Federal, State and local law, except those specifically lost through due process of the law.
If you have reason to believe that there has been an infringement on any of the following rights, we
ask that you contact the Administrative Director who will immediately initiate an investigation and
resolution process.
Your participant and their family/guardian(s) have the following rights:
Communication of Rights
Program participants and their family/guardian(s) have the right to be notified of all rights accorded
them as recipients of services at the time of admission to The Workshop’s program and in terms
that he or she understands.
Open Communication
The Workshop’s providers communicate monthly with families and caregivers throughout the
duration of services. Please let us know if you have a preferred method of communication or a
request for specific information. Written progress on program outcomes is shared, if requested.
Confidentiality
All records compiled in the course of service provision are kept confidential. Any disclosure of
information involving a program participant or their family/guardian(s) shall be made only with
written authorization of the parties concerned, unless otherwise permitted or required by law.
Freedom from Discrimination
Program participant and their family/guardian(s) have the right to receive services without
discrimination based on race, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin,
domestic/marital status, political affiliation or opinion, veteran’s status, physical/mental handicap,
ability to pay for services or any other factor protected by law.
Cultural/Religious Sensitivity
All participants and their family/guardian(s) will be treated on an individual basis, taking into
account any values or traditions that are unique to the family unit’s culture, religion or
background. Please do not hesitate to let us know of any special accommodations that your
participant might require while receiving services at The Workshop.
Freedom from Physical, Sexual, Psychological and Fiduciary Abuse or Neglect
Program participants and their family/guardian(s) have the right to receive services in an
environment free from financial abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, physical punishment or
psychological abuse by threatening, intimidating, harassing or humiliating actions. Abusive
and/or neglectful behavior on the part of staff members will not be tolerated and will result in
disciplinary action up to and including termination and may subject the responsible party to
civil and/or criminal liability.
Ethical Standards of Conduct
Program participants and their family/guardian(s) have the right to receive services conducted in a
manner reflecting quality professional and ethical standards of practice and shall be apprised of The
Workshop’s Code of Ethical Conduct prior to admission.
Freedom from Retaliation
The Workshop does not permit retaliation of any kind for complaints or good faith reports of
any possible violation of rights submitted by staff, program participants and/or their
family/guardian(s) or stakeholders.
Freedom from Unnecessary Drugs
The Workshop has staff trained and certified to administer medication. However, The Kids
Workshop will administer only those medications prescribed by a physician. All medication will be
given as directed and each dose accurately documented. The Workshop does not prescribe drugs
at any time.
Freedom from Unnecessary Restraint
Participants receiving services have the right to freedom from unnecessary restraint. The
Workshop does not use isolation seclusion or physical restraint. However, in an emergency
situation, our staff may need to utilize protective interventions in order to guard the security of a
program participant. Our staff is fully trained and certified to safely perform these types of
interventions.
Access to Appropriate Representation
Program participants have the right to access their family/guardian(s), self-help groups, advocacy
services and legal services at any time. Access and appropriate referrals will be facilitated through
the Administrative Director.
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Participants and their family/guardian(s) have the right to request and receive outside
consultation, at their own expense, regarding their services.
Right to Participate in Individualized Plan Preparation
Our program is designed to be responsive to the individual needs of the participant and their
family/guardian(s) who have the right to participate in the preparation of their plan for services.
Participants and their family/guardian(s) have a right to a full and complete explanation of the nature
the services they are offered and will be treated as equal members of the team, in all aspects of the
participant’s program.
Right to Personal Dignity
Program participants and their family/guardian(s) have the right to be treated with courtesy and
dignity and are at all times entitled to respect for their individuality, as well as the recognition that
their strengths, abilities, needs and preferences are not determinable on the basis of a diagnosis.
Right to Personal Safety
Program participants have the right to be protected from the behavioral disruptions of other
participants. Participants are supervised by staff at all times and all necessary safety precautions will
be used during times of service provision.
Appropriate Environment
Participants and their family/guardian(s) have the right to have their services provided in the
most appropriate and least restrictive environment to meet their needs.
Informed Consent for Services
Participants and their family/guardian(s) have the right to informed consent, refusal of or expression
of preference regarding all services offered/provided, release of information, concurrent services
and composition of the service delivery team.
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Services are voluntary; participants and their family/guardian(s) have the right to accept or
refuse any service offered by The Workshop without fear of retribution or loss of rights.
Legally competent participants have the right to refuse services except in emergency
situations or other circumstances required by law.
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Participants and their family/guardian(s) have the right to accept or refuse concurrent
services provided by The Workshop staff or other agencies without fear of retribution or
loss of rights.
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Participants and their family/guardian(s) have the right to accept or refuse provision of
service from any specific employee of The Workshop without fear of retribution or loss of
rights.
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Participants and their family/guardian(s) have the right to accept or refuse the release of
information gathered about the program participant in the course of service delivery. Any
disclosures of information concerning the participant or family/guardian(s) served shall be
made only with the written authorization of the parties concerned, unless otherwise
permitted or required by law.
Decline to Participate in Research
Persons served have the right to refuse to participate in research without loss of services, and to
participate in research on a voluntary basis only with full written informed consent. If the program
is part of a research project, The Workshop will strictly adhere to research guidelines and ethics.
Right to Privacy
Participants and their family/guardian(s) have a right to decline home visits and to decline to answer
any questions.
Right to Receive Information in an Understandable Fashion
Participants and their family/guardian(s) have the right to receive information in an
understandable fashion. This includes but is not limited to evaluations, examinations and
treatments. Please let us know of any accommodations needed.
Right to Offer Complaints
Participants and their family/guardian(s) have the right to informal complaint and/or formal
grievance regarding practices or decisions that impact their services or their status without fear
or concern for reprisal by any member of The Workshop’s staff and have the right to access this
process clearly communicated to them upon entry to and throughout participation in services.
Right to Appeal
Participants and their family/guardian(s) have the right to be informed of appeal procedures,
initiate appeals, have access to grievance procedures, receive a grievance appeal decision in
writing and appeal a grievance decision to an unbiased source.