Our Mission
The Human Rights Committee (HRC) is a standing committee of Partners Health Management’s Board of Directors. The Committee’s mission is to protect the human rights of individuals served by providers in the Partners’ Network in the delivery of mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and substance use services.
What is HRC?
HRC membership includes individuals receiving services, family members, board members, and advocates. The committee protects the human rights of those individuals receiving services, including the right to dignity, privacy, humane care, and freedom from mental and physical abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Every Local Management Entity-Managed Care Organization, state facility, and provider agency is required to have an HRC.
Why is HRC?
HRC volunteers have a great opportunity to influence the increased quality of care for individuals receiving services by ensuring their consumer rights are being upheld during treatment and recovery.
HRC in Action
As informed advocates, HRC members:
- Ensure an individual’s consumer rights are being met in compliance with Article 3 of North Carolina General Statute 122C
- Establish processes to discuss, review, and monitor concerns, grievances/complaints, and alleged consumer rights violations
- Ensure restrictive procedures and plans do not violate human rights
- Address failures to provide needed services available in Partners’ service area
- Assist in producing the annual report for NC Division of Mental Health/ Developmental Disabilities/Substance Abuse Section
Join HRC
Currently, HRC is seeking members with the following experience to represent their counties:
- Knowledge of mental health to represent Burke, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Union, and Yadkin counties
- Knowledge of intellectual and developmental disabilities to represent Burke, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Union, and Yadkin counties.
- Knowledge of substance use disorders for Burke, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Union, and Yadkin.
Membership
Human Rights Committee members must be willing to:
- Receive training for their role on the committee;
- Sign the Partners Confidentiality agreement;
- Attend scheduled meetings;
- Make efforts to be informed about issues affecting persons with disabilities;
- Be open-minded, tolerant, and open to diversity; and
- Serve on no other Partners’ consumer committees to allow for more participation from others in each county.
HRC Membership Application
If you are interested in applying to serve on the Human Rights Committee, please complete the application. All questions should be directed to Bonnie Stanifer at bstanifer@partnersbhm.org or (704) 884-2519.
HRC Meeting Information
Human Rights Committee meetings are normally on the third Tuesday of every other month. Meetings begin at 6 p.m. The public is welcome to join us at Partners’ Hickory Regional Office, 1985 Tate Boulevard SE, Hickory, NC 28602, or through video conference at the Elkin Regional Office, 200 Elkin Business Park Drive, Elkin, NC 28621.
For more information, please contact Bonnie Stanifer at bstanifer@partnersbhm.org or (704) 884-2519.
Meeting Minutes 2018-2019
| Sept 18, 2018 | Nov 13, 2018 | Feb 19, 2019 | May 21, 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minutes | Minutes | Minutes | Minutes |
If you would like a copy of the minutes from a meetings prior to 2017, please email questions@partnersbhm.org.
Updated: November 30, 2023