Human Rights Committee (HRC)
Our Mission
The HRC is a standing committee of Partners Health Management’s Board of Directors. Our mission is simple: to protect the human rights of people receiving mental health, substance use and intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD) services from providers in the Partners Network.
What the HRC Does
HRC members are informed advocates. We:
- Check that your rights are respected, including dignity, privacy and humane care.
- Review and discuss concerns, complaints and possible rights violations.
- Make sure restrictive plans or procedures do not violate human rights.
- Work with Partners staff to improve care and reduce problems.
- Help prepare the annual Human Rights Committee report for the N.C. Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services.
Your Rights
As a Partners member, you have many rights. Some of the most important include:
- The right to be treated with respect and dignity.
- The right to privacy and humane care.
- The right to make informed decisions about your treatment.
- The right to be free from abuse, neglect or exploitation.
If you think your rights have been violated, you can file a grievance (a formal complaint). Partners reviews all grievances, ensures fair resolutions and uses the information to make improvements. The HRC also receives reports on rights-related concerns to help guide system improvements.
Who Can Join the HRC
We welcome people who:
- Receive services, or are family members, advocates or community members
- Care about fairness and access to care in our service area
- Are open-minded, respectful and willing to learn
- Can attend meetings and complete training
Membership
The HRC is especially seeking members with knowledge or experience in:
- Mental health
- Intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD)
- Substance use disorders
We are currently seeking members to represent the following counties:
Burke, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Union and Yadkin.
How to Apply
If you are interested in serving on the HRC, please complete the HRC Membership Application.
For questions, email ConsumerRightsOfficers@PartnersBHM.org or call 704-884-2698.
Meeting Information
The HRC meets at 6 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every other month.
The public is welcome to attend:
- Hickory Regional Office: 1985 Tate Boulevard SE, Hickory, NC 28602
- Elkin Regional Office (via video conference): 200 Elkin Business Park Drive, Elkin, NC 28621
For more information, email ConsumerRightsOfficers@PartnersBHM.org or call 704-884-2698.
Meeting Minutes
If you would like a copy of the minutes from a meetings prior to 2017, please email Questions@PartnersBHM.org.