Recipient Rights

Notice for Providers: Recipient Rights Training

Network180 has made the decision that they no longer have the staff capacity or resources to provide Recipient Rights Training for individuals outside of their county boundaries. This change is effective July 1, 2024.

In the meantime, the State requirement for completing the initial full Recipient Rights training within 30 days of hire is still in effect. Given the little notice, CMHOC is not in the position to immediately offer Rights training for our newly hired internal and provider agency staff. As a stopgap, we are encouraging providers to direct staff to complete the Recipient Rights Training available on the State's Improving Practices website. To register and access the training, please take the following steps:

Visit improvingmipractices.org
Click “Create an Account” on the right side of the webpage
Fill in all the information and submit
To register for the Recipient Rights Class:
- Click “Why IMP?”
- Click “Training for Behavioral Health Professionals”
- Scroll down a bit and there’s a “Search” box
- Type in Recipient Rights
- Select the course “Recipient Rights for Community Mental Health and Affiliated Agency Staff”
- Click “Take this Course” to get started.

We apologize for any confusion and inconvenience this may cause your agency and your staff. Currently, CMHOC is working to begin providing the initial 4-hour Recipient Rights training in July.

Persons who receive mental health services have the same rights as those who do not participate in services. However, persons who receive services have an additional set of rights found in the Michigan Mental Health Code: Chapter 7 - Rights of Recipients. Ultimately, the Office of Recipient Rights works to safeguard these rights guaranteed by the Mental Health Code.

The Office of Recipient Rights protects consumers from employees who intentionally or unintentionally abuse, neglect, or violate their rights they are afforded per the Michigan Mental Health Code. Each Community Mental Health has an Office of Recipient Rights. The Office of Recipient Rights reviews all allegations of rights violations. The Office may investigate, and can make recommendations about remedial action to the service provider and the responsible CMH.

The Office of Recipient Rights serves as an advocate for consumers of mental health services. If you become aware that a consumer’s rights may have been - or are being - violated YOU MUST report this information to the Office of Recipient Rights. Allegations of abuse and neglect need to be reported IMMEDIATELY. Anyone can file a Recipient Rights Complaint on behalf of a consumer.

You can contact the Office of Recipient Rights at:

Briana Fowler, MPA, LBSW Director of Recipient Rights CMH Ottawa County
12265 James Street
Holland, MI 49424
Phone: (616) 393-5763
Email: bfowler@miottawa.org
Office: (616) 393-5763
Fax: (616) 327-6375
Toll Free: (877) 588-4357

The Office of Recipient Rights is located at the following address:

12265 James Street
Holland, MI 49424

Staff need to be aware there are laws that protect them from retaliation and harassment when rights violations are reported.

The Office of Recipient Rights thanks you for helping to protect the rights of individuals receiving mental health services.