Rights of Persons Served

Rights of Persons Served

POLICY:

It is the policy of Sunshine Farm to provide quality services in an environment in which the needs of the people served are met through the protection of individual interests. Such an environment is based on respect for the dignity of the person served as an individual who is provided services in a courteous and empowering manner. The dedication of each employee to the components outlined in this policy is essential in achieving our goal of protection of individual rights and interests.

PROCEDURES:

A. Confidentiality of Information
Sunshine Farm ensures that all personal and sensitive information of persons served is kept confidential. This includes maintaining secure records, restricting access to authorized personnel only, and obtaining consent before sharing information. Regular training on confidentiality is provided to all staff and volunteers. The privacy and confidentiality of all individuals are protected in accordance with legal and organizational requirements. Personal information will only be shared with authorized personnel, and only as necessary to deliver services.

B.. Privacy:
Sunshine Farm respects the privacy of all persons served. This involves providing private spaces for discussions, ensuring personal information is not disclosed inappropriately, and respecting personal boundaries. Staff are trained to uphold privacy standards in all interactions.

C. Freedom from
1. Abuse:
Sunshine Farm has zero tolerance for any form of abuse. Policies are in place to protect persons served from physical, emotional, sexual, and verbal abuse. Staff and volunteers are trained to recognize signs of abuse and report any incidents immediately to ensure prompt action and support for the victim.

2. Financial or other exploitation
Sunshine Farm strictly prohibits financial or other exploitation of persons served. This includes unauthorized use of a person’s funds or property, coercion, or manipulation for personal gain. Staff are trained to identify and prevent exploitation, ensuring all financial transactions are transparent and authorized.

3. Retaliation:
Sunshine Farm ensures that all persons served can express concerns or complaints without fear of retaliation. Policies are in place to protect individuals who report issues or participate in investigations from any form of retribution. Staff are trained to handle complaints with confidentiality and integrity.
Persons served have the right to informal complaint and/or formal grievance regarding practices or decisions that impact their service or status without fear or concern for reprisal by Sunshine Farm or its staff and have the right to have this process clearly communicated to them upon entry to services and throughout participation in services.

4. Humiliation:
Sunshine Farm is dedicated to maintaining the dignity and respect of all persons served. Any actions or behaviors that cause humiliation, such as ridicule, belittlement, or derogatory comments, are strictly prohibited. Staff are trained to always interact with individuals in a respectful and supportive manner.

5. Neglect:
Sunshine Farm is committed to preventing neglect of persons served. This includes ensuring that individuals receive appropriate care, attention, and services. Staff are trained to recognize and address signs of neglect, ensuring that all persons served have their needs met promptly and effectively.

D. Persons served have the right to access their own records, which include:

1. Right to Access: Persons served have the right to review their own records. This access will be provided promptly and within a timeframe that supports the person’s decision-making processes.

2. Sunshine Farm ensures that access to records respects the privacy and confidentiality of other individuals. Information pertaining to other persons served must not be disclosed.

3. Sunshine Farm provides assistance to persons served in understanding their records. This may include explaining technical terms and ensuring that the information is presented in a manner that is understandable to the person served.

E. Informed consent or refusal or expression of choice and withdrawal of consent regarding:

1. Service Delivery:
Persons served have the right to give informed consent or refuse any aspect of service delivery. They must be provided with all necessary information about the services, including potential benefits and risks, to make an informed decision.
Persons served have the right to be fully informed of the services to be provided, the right to consent to services, to refuse services or express their choice about services, and the right to withdraw consent without fear of retribution or loss of rights.

2. Release of Information:
Persons served have the right to consent to or refuse the release of their personal information. Sunshine Farm will explain how information will be used and who will have access to it, ensuring that the person served understands and agrees to the terms.

3. Concurrent Services:
Persons served have the right to choose whether to receive concurrent services from multiple providers. They should be informed about how these services will be coordinated and any potential impacts on their care.

4. Composition of the Service Delivery team
Persons served have the right to be informed about the composition of their service delivery team and to consent to or refuse the involvement of specific team members

F. Access or Referral to

1. Legal Entities for Appropriate Representation:
Sunshine Farm ensures that persons served have the right to access or be referred to legal entities for appropriate representation. This ensures that they receive the legal support and advocacy necessary to protect their rights and interests.

2. Self-Help Support Services:
Persons served have the right to access or be referred to self-help support services. Sunshine Farm connects people served with self-help support services within the community. These services offer peer support and resources to enhance their ability to manage their own. Working with CLBC, Sunshine Farm refers individuals to other agencies such as Access resources in Kelowna.

3. Advocacy Support Services:
Sunshine Farm provides referrals to advocacy support, helping persons served understand and exercise their rights and effectively navigate the service system. Working with CLBC, Sunshine Farm refers individuals to other agencies such as Access resources in Kelowna. These services help in understanding and exercising their rights and navigating the service.

4. Investigation and Resolution of Alleged Infringement of Rights:
Persons served have the right to a prompt and thorough investigation of any alleged infringement of their rights. Sunshine Farm has a complaint policy in place to address complaints and resolve issues to protect the person’s rights.

5. Other Legal Rights:
Attendees at Sunshine Farm are informed about their legal rights and provided with resources to help them understand and exercise these rights effectively, as needed.

At Sunshine Farm, working with CLBC, persons served are provided with information and referrals to local legal entities to ensure they have appropriate representation and support in legal matters, as needed.

G. . The Rights of Persons Served are Communicated to the person served:

1. In a way that is understandable:**
The rights of persons served are communicated in clear and simple language that is easy to understand, ensuring that individuals fully comprehend their rights. The use of pictures, sign language, and gesture an augment spoken language.

2. Prior to the beginning of service delivery or at initiation of service delivery:
Persons served are informed of their rights before the start of service delivery with the use of a welcome booklet designed to be easy to understand and use.

3. At least annually an individual meeting is held to review services, rights, and progress.

H. Available at all times for:

1. Review:
The rights of persons served are readily available for review at any time, allowing individuals to revisit and understand their rights whenever needed.

2. Clarification:
Persons served can seek clarification about their rights at any time, ensuring they fully understand their rights and how they apply to their situation.