Community Relations Philosophy/Client Rights

ColumbiaCare believes that COLLABORATION is a key component in promoting the welfare of persons living with a mental illness. This principle is built into our agency mission and design. We believe that community mental health requires the involvement and support of treatment providers, local government, fellow community members, friends and family. And since 1 in 5 adults live with a mental illness, it is very likely that any given community member may either be experiencing a mental illness, or know and care about someone who is.

ColumbiaCare believes that the stigma that comes from fear and misunderstanding can be a barrier to recovery for those who have a mental illness. Likewise, understanding, support and encouragement can be an extremely vital component in client care. In order to best encourage collaboration, we want to acknowledge and address safety concerns, make useful information accessible, express our commitment to protecting the rights of our residents, keep open the lines of communication, and, ultimately and ideally, have community get involved in a positive way.

ColumbiaCare is committed to the SAFETY and well-being of both our residents and community members. As we develop programming, we put this statement into action by adhering to a community integration process which includes:

• Ensuring appropriate resident placement through careful and appropriate screening and placement procedures;

• Going above and beyond to recruit and retain highly qualified and professional staff to provide the appropriate level of staff supervision and treatment, when needed;

• For higher levels of more structured residential care, carefully designing and building into each particular facility with the appropriate level of physical safeguards as appropriate;

• Coordinating with partnering provider agencies, local law enforcement, and other community members to proactively address emergency response plans which may include instructions such as when and how the general public should communicate concerns, and to whom; when and how staff will report incidents to local law enforcement; and how both local law enforcement and ColumbiaCare can best address an issue should one arise in a timely, respectful and responsive manner; AND

• Staying dedicated to the ColumbiaCare mission and ultimate goal of providing quality treatment which provides people a "pathway to achieving the same things that all humans need to not only feel safe and well taken care of, but to contribute and thrive". ​

For the purposes of its importance to good community relations, the term LIVABILITY basically means quality of life. We are in the business of providing this for our clients, and just as we expect goodwill and common courtesy from community members and neighbors, we have the same desire for them. We consider and promote this at every level of our programming, including development practices, staff training, ongoing property maintenance, and even client skills training around how to be successful in the community. We always aim to have properties that convey our standards for quality and care. Not only is that the right environment for our clients, it also shows respect for our neighbors. We require staff to respect and obey traffic laws and honor parking agreements. We listen to and share with the right person any neighbor concerns so they can be quickly responded to and addressed. We respect quiet hours. And last but not least, we proactively look for ways to be good neighbors.

As ColumbiaCare endeavors to develop vital services in various communities, one of the greatest challenges and opportunities is community education, or making information known to the public in such a way that citizens are less likely to feel anxious and become more likely to advocate on behalf of more vulnerable populations. Ideally, those who are properly informed and educated about the realities of mental illness have less need to rely on stories they have heard, and or to regard mental illness as it is often negatively spotlighted and misrepresented in the media.

As a provider, it is our responsibility and desire to ease concern and overcome objections, and yet continue to move forward with the project and services that folks need, benefit from, and are entitled to.

It is important to mention that ColumbiaCare will not participate in discriminatory housing practices, nor will we deny nor infringe upon our residents' rights or privacy based on:

• Federal Fair Housing Law

• Americans with Disabilities Act

• The Olmstead Act

• The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

That being said, ColumbiaCare believes in EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, and AWARENESS and will share information about our services, programs, and experience. We work to build trust through relationship-building and responsiveness. We take pride in the services we provide to those who both need them and are entitled to them.

This often looks like one-on-one conversations, written informational materials, a comprehensive website, video projects, and in-person events. ColumbiaCare attempts to provide interested citizens with a better understanding as to the nature of mental illness in its full spectrum by sharing what we know, pointing to other resources available; and ultimately demonstrating that people with mental illness who live in a community setting deserve dignity and respect, can function and make valuable contributions to society. We want to help people realize that a safe, caring and treatment-oriented atmosphere can help those living with a mental health issue get better, which ultimately results in healthier and safer individuals and communities.

Last but not least, ColumbiaCare offers the opportunity for POSITIVE INVOLVEMENT from neighbors and community members. It is remarkably effective when interested citizens gain understanding and also shares that with others. Advocacy works, and eradicating the stigma around mental illness is truly a community effort that has a positive impact on everyone involved.