| Mental Health Ombuds Program
>Contact the Mental Health Ombuds Program
Our mission is to assist
consumers who feel their rights have been violated or they aren’t receiving
adequate services. Ombuds will attempt to obtain a resolution that meets
the client’s needs. Services are free and confidential and Washington’s
Community Mental Health Program Administrative Code protects clients from
retaliation of any kind for using Ombuds.
What does Ombuds offer?
Ombuds work
collaboratively
with the North Sound Mental Health Administration (the region’s community
mental health program authority) and its mental health service provider
agencies on behalf of consumers who have a complaint against some aspect of
the community mental health program.
Ombuds were formed by
Washington State’s Legislature to ensure consumers’ rights weren’t
overlooked. Ombuds assist community mental health program applicants and
consumers and anyone receiving emergency mental health services under the
scope of the North Sound Mental Health Administration. Ombuds work for the
client and are separate and independent of the North Sound Mental Health
Administration and its service provider agencies. We resolve complaints at
the lowest level possible.
Ombuds empower clients to solve problems by pointing out
options and teaching how the community mental health program works. Ombuds
work toward client recovery. In our stigma reduction efforts, we try to
build self-esteem, vision, pride and dignity.
Ombuds can assist by:
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Advocating for consumers. |
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Receiving complaints from consumers
or family or friends. |
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Listening to, keeping a record of,
and tracking complaints. |
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Helping resolve complaints with
consumer consent. |
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Researching and investigating
facts, policies, contracts, procedures and laws relating to the complaint. |
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Recommending policy or procedural
changes to correct problems or prevent their reoccurrence. |
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Helping consumers through the
grievance, fair hearing and appeal process. |
The community mental health program
complaint, grievance, appeal, and fair hearing process:
If a consumer is dissatisfied with their services they may
file a complaint against the service provider. A grievance is a little more
serious than a complaint and usually is initiated after unsuccessful
resolution of a complaint. If a consumer is denied access to the
community mental health program they may appeal the denial. Should the
consumer not be satisfied with the resolution of a complaint, grievance or
appeal, they may file a fair hearing request for additional consideration
from the region’s Office of Administrative Hearings. North Sound Regional
Ombuds can assist with all of these processes.
Contact us at:
Mailing Address: 330 Pacific Place, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Toll-free: 1-888-336-6164 (Susan: extension #1; Chuck: extension #2)
Local phone: (360) 416-7004
Fax: (360) 416-7550
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