These clients’ rights are affirmed in the policies and procedures of Transform Mental Health.

1.   To impartial access to treatment regardless of age, sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, handicap/disability, culture, socioeconomic status, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. Clients with disabilities will be provided reasonable accommodations.

2.   To be treated with courtesy and respect, with appreciation of their individual dignity, and with protection of their need for privacy.

3.   To give express and informed consent for admission and treatment.

4.    To receive prompt and reasonable responses to questions and requests.

5.    To know who is providing services and who is responsible for their care.

6.    To be informed of their rights and responsibilities before care begins or ends.

7.    To be provided with humane care and services in the least restrictive environment.

8.    To be informed of their diagnosis, treatment plan, and risks, and to participate in their treatment and discharge planning.

9.    To participate in the formulation and periodic review of their individualized care plan, and, when appropriate, with the participation of the family or guardian.

10.  To know what rules and regulations apply to their conduct.

11.  To have access to private, unimpeded, and uncensored communication with people of their choice.

12.  To be free from neglect, harassment, exploitation, verbal, physical, mental, and sexual abuse, and corporal punishment.

13.  To practice their religious beliefs.

14.  To have their allegations, observations, and suspected cases of neglect, exploitation, and abuse reported to appropriate authorities based on the Clinic’s evaluation of the suspected events, or as required by law.

15.  To access available protective and advocacy services.

16.  To effective communication, in a manner tailored to their age, language, and ability to understand, taking into account any vision, speech, hearing, or cognitive impairments. Provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act apply.

17.  To give or withhold consent to or refuse treatment.

18.  To confidentiality of their clinical records and to access, request amendment to, and obtain information on, disclosures of their health information contained in their clinical records as permitted by law as quickly as the record-keeping system permits.

19.  To be informed of available financial resources.

20.  To express grievances regarding any violation of their rights, as stated in Florida law, through the grievance procedure of the clinic and to the appropriate state licensing agency. Clients have the right to information about procedures for initiating, reviewing, and resolving their complaints.

21.  To communicate with legal counsel, licensing agencies, the courts, or the state attorney general.

22.  To be informed of fees for services, based on contract rates with medical insurance provider.

Any client or family member may submit a complaint or grievance regarding client rights, quality of care, client safety, and ethical concerns - at any time - to any of the following Clinic, State, or Community agencies:

1.   Florida Abuse Hotline: (800) 962-2873

2.   Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA): (888) 419-3456

3.   Florida Department of Children and Families: (850) 487-1111

4.   Florida Disability Rights Hotline: (800) 342-0823. Disabilityrightsflorida.org.

5.   Agency for Persons with Disabilities Suncoast Regional Office: (800) 615-8720

6.   Florida Department of Health: https://flhealthsource.gov. Go to Consumer Services – File a Complaint.

7.   The Joint Commission (TJC) Office of Quality Monitoring: (800) 994-6610

8.   Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS): (877) 254-1055

9.   Guardian ad Litem Program (minors): https://guardianadlitem.org

10.Transform Mental Health Program Director: (813) 596-9527

 You can also file a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, electronically through the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal, available at:

https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/portal/lobby.jsf   OR by mail or phone at:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Room 509F, HHH Building
Washington, D.C. 20201
1-800-368-1019, 800-537-7697 (TDD)
Complaint forms are available at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/office/file/index.html