Resident Rights Policies and Procedures:

All persons that receive services from Exceptional Care and Training Center shall be treated with dignity, value, respect, and love. In accordance with Chapter 2 of the Code, advocacy for their individual rights shall be guaranteed.

1. Upon admission and annually thereafter, ECTC shall prepare and distribute copies of the following rights to all persons served by ECTC and/or their guardians. A signed acknowledgment from the individual or representative shall be obtained as proof that a copy was given and rights were explained.
2. A copy of the Individual Rights shall be made available to all sponsoring agencies and to the public.
3. Orientation of all new employees shall include an extensive discussion on effective adherence of these rights. A signed acknowledgment will be placed in their personnel record.
4. Annual employee in-service training shall include review of Individual Rights, protection of rights and the procedure to assist the individuals in making desired contacts with protection agencies.
5. Copies of the Individual Rights shall be conspicuously displayed in facility.

INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS

Exceptional Care and Training Center shall ensure that each person and/or their legal guardian receiving services from the facility SHALL NOT:

1. Be deprived of any rights, benefits, or privileges guaranteed by law solely because they are an individual served by the facility.
2. Be expected to participate in experimental research or treatment without prior written informed consent from the individual and/or guardian.
3. Be physically restrained except in conjunction with a Behavior Program Plan approved by the Behavior Management Committee and Human Rights Committee and ordered by a physician who documents the need in the individual's record. Physical restraints shall not be employed for the purpose of punishment or the convenience of facility personnel.
4. Be exposed to corporal punishment, abuse, neglect and/or exploitation. It is the duty of ALL persons involved in the individual's care to report suspected occurrences to the Executive Director, the Director of Nursing, or their designee immediately.
5. A facility administrator who becomes aware of any of these occurrences shall immediately report the matter by telephone and in writing to the individual's guardian and to the Department. In addition to these rules, the facility shall comply with any other applicable Federal, State, or local requirements requiring the reporting of alleged abuse or neglect.
6. Be permitted to do labor for the facility unless it is therapeutically advised and included in the Individual's Program Plan. An individual may refuse to participate in this therapeutic labor.
7. Be subjected to any behavior modification program which utilizes restraints, confinements, or aversive stimuli of any nature unless and until, the informed consent of such individual, individual's guardian or parent has been obtained.
8. Be excluded, suspended or discharged from services and services shall not be reduced for exercising any of his/her rights.

Exceptional Care and Training Center shall ensure that each person and/or their legal guardian receiving services from the facility SHALL:

1. Be permitted to manage their own financial affairs unless the guardian gives written authorization to the facility to manage the individual's financial affairs. Someone who is not connected in any way with the facility shall witness authorization.
2. Be permitted to retain and use of their personal property in their room; use and wear their personal clothing; and store personal clothing in their closet and/or dresser. If a physician deems this inappropriate, it shall be documented in the individual's record. If clothing is provided to the individual by the facility, it shall be of proper fit.
3. Be provided safe and adequate storage for personal belongings. The facility shall have procedures for investigating theft and shall use them promptly. The facility may choose to safeguard items of value in areas other than the individual's room. The individual shall have daily access to such items.
4. Be permitted to retain the services of their own attending physician at their own expense or under a health care plan.
5. Be permitted to obtain complete and current information concerning their medical diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in language which they can understand.
6. Be permitted to participate in the planning of their total care and medical treatment to the extent their condition permits.
7. Be able to refuse medical treatment unless the refusal would be harmful to the health and safety of others, and the harm is documented in the individual's record. Individuals and/or guardians shall be informed of the consequences of such action. The facility is then free of any obligation to the individual.
8. Be permitted to inspect the medical and personal care program(s).
9. Be given respect and privacy in their medical and personal care program(s). An individual's medical treatment or Individual Program Plan shall be kept confidential. The discussion, consultation, and conduction of the Plan shall be discreet. Those persons not directly involved in an individual's treatment or care must have permission to be present during discussion, consultation and conduction of the Plan.
10. Be permitted unimpeded, private, uncensored communication by mail, by public telephone, or by personal visit.
    1. A public telephone or mailbox shal1 be reasonably accessible.
    2. Parent, family or other related persons may visit the facility between 10 am and 9 pm daily. Non-family members may visit between the hours of 10 am and 8 pm daily, but only if that visit is in order to provide personal, social or legal assistance to the individual and there is no crucial purpose or effect.
    3. Facility employees shall make space for private visits available. Employees shall knock before entering a individual's room when the door is closed or the individual has company except in case of emergency.
11. Be permitted the free exercise of religious practices and beliefs. Facility employees shall assist individuals in attending religious services if the individual/guardian so chooses. In addition, the individual's spiritual advisor shall be permitted to visit him/her during reasonable hours. Privacy for consultation and/or communion shall be provided. Individuals shall also be free to refuse to participate in religious services.
12. Be permitted to fully release themselves from the facility after they give the facility written notice. Notice shall not be less than seven (7) days.
13. Be permitted to present genuine grievances on behalf of themselves and others without threat of discharge or reprisal.
14. Be allowed the opportunity to vote in all federal, state and local elections. Assistance and/or training shall be provided if deemed appropriate by the Interdisciplinary Team. The facility shall comply with the Illinois Election Code as it pertains to absentee voting for residents.
15. Be able to file a verified petition to the circuit court of Whiteside County for an order placing the facility under the control of a receiver if the individual, guardian or next of kin (individually or collectively) believes an emergency exists.
16. Have the right to appeal actions to deny, modify, reduce or terminate services.
17. Have the right to report any infringement of their individual rights to the following contacts. Residents and individual guardians are encouraged to contact the facility first in order to correct any apparent problems. Residents and individual guardians have the right to require facility assistance in contacting these agencies:
    1. Exceptional Care and Training Center
       Melissa Francque, Administrator
       (815) 626-5820
       melissa@ectc1.com
    2. ECTC Human Rights Committee
       Chairperson
       (815) 626-5820
    3. Illinois Department of Public Health
       4302 North Main Street
       Rockford, IL 611 03
       (815) 987-7511
       In the event of an emergency after hours and on the weekend, contact:
       800-782-7860 (Illinois Only)          217-782-7860 (Out of state)
    4. Office of Inspector General
       Illinois Department of Human Services
       901 Southwind Road
       Springfield, IL 62703
       (800) 368-1463
    5. Guardianship and Advocacy Commission
       Northwest Regional Authority
       4302 North Main Street
       Rockford, IL 61103-5202
       For intake - 1-866-274-8023
       If outside the State of Illinois - 1-708-338-7500
    6. Equip for Equality
       North Michigan Avenue, Suite 300
       Chicago, IL 60602
       (312) 341-0022          (800) 537-2632 (Voice)
       (800) 610-2779 (TTY)          (312) 341-0295 (Fax)
    7. Illinois Department of Public Aid
       201 South Grand Avenue East
       Springfield, IL 62763-0001
       (217) 782-1200          TTY 800-526-5812

In accordance with Individual Rights, Exceptional Care and Training Center SHALL ensure that:

1. There shall be no traffic through an individual's room by other residents to reach any other area of the building.
2. Residents occupying any bedroom shall be persons of the same sex (if not in a private room). However, the Interdisciplinary Team may determine that separation is not necessary due to the functioning level of individual residents.
3. Children under 16 years of age who are related to employees or owners of the facility, shall be restricted to the lobby area except during times when the children are part of a group visiting the facility.
4. Immediate notification of the individual's death or imminent death is given to the individual's next of kin, guardian and physician.
5. The individual's family, guardian, conservator and any private or public agency financially responsible for the individual's care shall be notified whenever emergency situations occur such as accidents, sudden illness, disease, unexplained absences and other circumstances arise, such as extraordinary individual charges, billings or related administrative matters.
6. The use of seclusion shall not be permitted.
7. The right of individuals to confidentiality be governed by the Confidentiality Act.
8. Each individual, or guardian is provided a written itemized statement, at least quarterly, of all financial transactions involving the individual's funds.
9. The Individual Rights are protected in accordance with the Department of Human Services Code.