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QUESTION: How are other agencies addressing the need for a Human Rights Committee (HRC)? Are they developing the Committee within their agency or do they use an outside source? We are looking to utilize and outside agency/source to address our needs and would like any recommendations from members.” Our agency utilizes our Board of Directors as the Human Rights Committee (HRC). It is made up of members of the community as well as a client from our Day Services Program. Our Board of Directors meets every other month. The following is an excerpt from our HRC policy: When the use of restrictive interventions with an individual and/or other human rights issues for an individual arise between HRC meetings, AGENCY will seek verbal approval from the HRC members. For a meeting during which decisions involving individual entitlements or rights are made, approval by a minimum of three (3) participating members is required. When HRC approval is needed at a time between scheduled meetings, the Director of Programs and/or a designee will complete conference calls so that HRC members will have the opportunity to have group discussions about risks versus benefits of medications, restrictive intervention and/or other human rights issues. This will prevent HRC members from being telephoned individually. *** Our agency established our own Human Rights Committee (HRC) made up of a variety of community members who are available to provide input on matters of human rights. The committee members agree to be contacted via phone or e-mail to provide input as needed and to meet every other month to review psychotropic medication use, behavioral interventions and restrictive techniques. For many years, we had one committee that met the needs of the entire agency, but have recently established two additional committees to meet the needs of outlying areas. *** Our agency has had a great Human Rights Committee (HRC) for over 20 years. We developed it within our agency and the committee is chaired by a community leader that is very in tune with our organization, who does not sit on our Board of Directors. We also have a retired pharmacist, local hospital representation, and three Board of Director members serving on the committee. We have a report from one of our group home service recipients at each meeting, and we have five (5) staff that sit on the committee. The committee meets on a quarterly basis. *** Our Human Rights Committee (HRC) is composed of staff members from various departments and at least three (3) members of the community. To ensure equal representation, we have a parent/guardian of a person with disabilities, and a person served who is presently enrolled in one of our programs. We also include someone who meets the qualifications of a Behavioral Support Services provider, and at least one member who has one or more years of experience in the field (physician, nurse, occupational therapist, etc.) The committee meets on a monthly basis. This information is a compilation of suggestions, ideas, and opinions shared by INARF Members in response to the featured question. This information should not be considered official interpretation or guidance of State or Federal Policy. Additionally, statements within this document do not necessarily reflect an official position or opinion of INARF.
Our agency utilizes our Board of Directors as the Human Rights Committee (HRC). It is made up of members of the community as well as a client from our Day Services Program. Our Board of Directors meets every other month. The following is an excerpt from our HRC policy: When the use of restrictive interventions with an individual and/or other human rights issues for an individual arise between HRC meetings, AGENCY will seek verbal approval from the HRC members. For a meeting during which decisions involving individual entitlements or rights are made, approval by a minimum of three (3) participating members is required. When HRC approval is needed at a time between scheduled meetings, the Director of Programs and/or a designee will complete conference calls so that HRC members will have the opportunity to have group discussions about risks versus benefits of medications, restrictive intervention and/or other human rights issues. This will prevent HRC members from being telephoned individually.
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Our agency established our own Human Rights Committee (HRC) made up of a variety of community members who are available to provide input on matters of human rights. The committee members agree to be contacted via phone or e-mail to provide input as needed and to meet every other month to review psychotropic medication use, behavioral interventions and restrictive techniques. For many years, we had one committee that met the needs of the entire agency, but have recently established two additional committees to meet the needs of outlying areas.
Our agency has had a great Human Rights Committee (HRC) for over 20 years. We developed it within our agency and the committee is chaired by a community leader that is very in tune with our organization, who does not sit on our Board of Directors. We also have a retired pharmacist, local hospital representation, and three Board of Director members serving on the committee. We have a report from one of our group home service recipients at each meeting, and we have five (5) staff that sit on the committee. The committee meets on a quarterly basis.
Our Human Rights Committee (HRC) is composed of staff members from various departments and at least three (3) members of the community. To ensure equal representation, we have a parent/guardian of a person with disabilities, and a person served who is presently enrolled in one of our programs. We also include someone who meets the qualifications of a Behavioral Support Services provider, and at least one member who has one or more years of experience in the field (physician, nurse, occupational therapist, etc.) The committee meets on a monthly basis.