The Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board is responsible for making sure that high-quality, cost-effective community mental health and drug/alcohol recovery services are available to the residents of Columbiana County.The Board contracts with local agencies to provide these services.
The Board is accountable to the consumer and is committed to the continuous improvement of our system’s services.
The Board maintains a procedure for dealing with client complaints and grievances, and a copy of this procedure is available upon request. The Board’s Client Rights Officer maintains documentation of any complaints or grievances filed with the Board.All providers are required to submit an annual summary of all grievances received and their outcomes following the end of each fiscal year.Patterns and trends are reviewed by the Board Quality Improvement Committee to identify and implement improvements needed.Plans for corrective action or training are implemented with providers as needed.
The Board provides for:
The quick and objective resolution of conderns and complaints about services;
The provision of services in a non-discriminatory manner with respect for personal dignity, autonomy, and privacy;
Compliance with applicable rules in the Ohio Revised Code that pertain to client rights and grievance procedures.
The Resolution of Concerns and Complaints:
Anyone having a concern or complaint about services is encouraged to bring it to the attention of a staff member at the service-providing agency. In addition, all service providers of the Board have a Client Rights Officer who is available to help resolve concerns at the agency. If a suitable resolution is not reached at the agency providing the service, the Board's Client Rights Officer may be contacted for help.
The Grievance (Complaint) Process:
The purpose of the grievance procedure is to provide a means for people receiving services to make complaints about care, treatment, living conditions, or the exercise of rights and to have those complaints heard and acted upon in a timely manner. Procedure requirements include:
The designation of a Client Rights Officer (CRO), who is responsible for assuring compliance with client rights and grievance procedure rules as implemented within the board and each provider agency. the Board's CRO will help you in filing a grievance if you need it; investigate your complaint; and if you want, help you at the agency hearing about your complaint. the CRO will also explain to you the entire grievance complaint process from the time you have a complaint until its resolution.
Each agency and Board that provides services must have a written grievance (complaint) procedure.
The grievance procedure must be posted in a place where people will easily see it. If you ask for a copy, you must be given one.
The agency CRO must be easily and promptly available to you.
There must be another person who will work with you if your complaint is against the CRO.
When you talk about your concerns or complaints, all staff, including the administrative and support staff, must let you know that, if you want, you can file a grievance with the CRO.
The CRO should be free to follow all the steps of the grievance procedure.
The Client Rights Officer for the Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board is:
Kathleen Chaffee Associate Director Columbiana County MHRS Board P.O. Box 500 Lisbon, Ohio 44432 (330) 424-0195
The Board keeps client complaint information confidential. Information cannot be released without authorization.
Policies and procedures regarding complaints are available at the Board office.
Additional Resources
Ohio Legal Rights Service 8 E. Long Street, Fifth Floor Columbus, OH 43266-0523 (614) 466-7264 (614) 644-1888 - FAX
Attorney General's Office Health Care Fraud Unit 101 E. Town Street, Fifth Floor Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 466-0722 (614) 644-9973 - FAX
U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Svs. Office for Civil Rights - Region V 105 W. Adams Street Chicago, IL 60603 (312) 886-5078
Counselor & Social Worker Board 77 S. High Street, 16th Floor Columbus, OH 43266-0340 (614) 466-0912 Complaint Hotline: 1-800-544-7717
State Board of Psychology 77 S. High Street, 17th Floor Columbus, OH 43266-0321 (614) 466-8808 (614) 644-8112 - FAX TDD: 1-800-750-0750 TDD: (614) 752-9696
Client Assistant Program (For Vocational Rehab.) 30 E. Broad Street, Suite 1201 Columbus, OH 43266-0414 (614) 466-9956 (All Nos. TDD Acc) 1-800-228-5405 (614) 752-4197 - FAX
Ohio Board of Nursing 77 S. High Street, 17th Floor Columbus, OH 43266-0316 1-800-282-9181
Legal Aid/Legal Services Ohio State Legal Services Assoc. For information about legal aid services in your area, call: 1-800-589-5888
Ohio Credentialing Board for Chemical Dependency Counselors 428 E. Town Street Columbus, OH 43215-4775 (614) 469-1110
State Medical Board 77 S. High Street, 17th Floor Columbus, OH 43266-0315 (614) 466-3934
Ohio Dept. of Mental Health Client Advocacy Coordinator 30 E. Broad street, 8th Floor Columbus, OH 43266-2333 (614) 466-2333 (614)466-1571 - FAX
Ohio Dept. of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services 280 N. High Street, 12th Floor Columbus, OH 43215-2537 (614) 466-3445 (614) 752-8645 - FAX TDD: (614) 752-9696