Your Rights

As an individual you have many Rights that are afforded to you by law (10A NCAC- 27C-F) and consistent with our mission to treat every person served with dignity and respect. PRIDE In North Carolina, LLC is committed to ensuring that these rights are protected. By law, we must inform you of these Rights and provide you with printed copies of your Rights upon admission to any of our services. We encourage you to ask questions about any information you receive.

Knowing your Rights can help you make better decisions about your care and ensure that you are safe and treated fairly.

Following is a list of your rights:

These rights apply whether you are receiving services from PRIDE In North Carolina, LLC or from any other agency:

  • You have the right to privacy
    (Please refer to the Notice of Privacy Practices page.)
  • You have the right to consent to or refuse treatment including medical care and habilitation. The treatment you receive should be age appropriate and provided in the least restrictive setting for your needs.
    (However, if you decide to refuse treatment, we strongly encourage you to discuss this with your treatment team first.)
  • You have the right to be involved in your treatment and the planning process
    (This means that what you decide is important and will guide treatment. You can also include the people who know you best in the planning process to help you decide what goals you want to work on.)
  • You have the right to be notified in advance of all potential risks and benefits of treatment as well as emergency procedures. (This means that you and/or your guardian will be told what good things and what not so good things can happen as a result of treatment and how we respond to emergencies.)
  • You have the right to be treated fairly and with dignity and respect.
    (This means staff should treat you nicely)
  • You have the right to be free from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and humiliation.
    (This means staff should not hit you or hurt you, nor should they take advantage of you in any way. Additionally, if you live in a group home, you should be fed three times a day and provided a safe home to live and sleep.)
  • You have the right to choose the provider agency that best meets your needs.
  • You have the right to appeal any time a service is denied, suspended, or reduced by Medicaid.
    (Please refer to the Grievances and Appeals page.)
  • You have the right to be free from unnecessary or excessive medications.
    (This means that you will never be given medication as a convenience for staff or as a means of punishment.)
  • You have the right to refuse medication.
    (However, if you decide to refuse medication, we strongly encourage you and/or your guardian to discuss it with your doctor first.)
  • If you are an adult, you have the right to develop an advance directive for mental health treatment. You may contact the Qualified Professional for assistance.
    (This means that you can make decisions about hospitalization, medication, and arrangements for your children and finances in advance just in case you are unable to do so during a mental health crisis.)
  • If you are a legally competent adult, you have a right to exercise all civil rights.
    (This means that you have the same civil rights as anyone else such as voting, making purchases, getting married, having a drivers license, etc.)
  • You have the right to file a grievance with PRIDE In North Carolina, LLC if you are dissatisfied or have a complaint.
    (Please refer to the Grievance and Appeals page.)
  • You have the right to be free from physical restraint unless there is imminent danger of injury to you or someone else.
    (This means that if you have a history of hurting yourself or other people, trained staff may need to stop you from hurting anyone by restraining you until you are calm.)
  • You have the right to request notification after occurrence of any, or specified interventions.
    (This means that changes in treatment will be discussed with you and/or your guardian and that guardians are always notified after a restraint.)
  • If you live in a group home, you have the right to see a doctor if you are sick or hurt, to send and receive unopened mail, to talk to a lawyer or advocate, to call your parent or guardian at any time, to make and receive confidential phone calls, to have visitors at reasonable times, to be outside each day, to attend school, to keep your personal items separate from other people’s stuff, to keep and spend money, to participate in religious/spiritual activities, to receive age appropriate supervision, and to take care of your personal hygiene needs.

View the complete North Carolina rules governing rights (pdf, 307 KB)

(Note: The above link opens a pdf in a new browser window on the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Web site. Exit the page to return to this page)

When can your RIGHTS be Restricted?

Your rights can only be restricted for reasons related to your care or treatment by members of your treatment team. A restriction of your rights must first go through the Human Rights Committee for approval. Any restriction will be documented and kept in your service record.

Only the following rights may be restricted:

  • To make and receive confidential phone calls
  • To receive visitors
  • To communicate and meet with individuals of your own choice
  • To be out of doors daily
  • To keep and use personal clothes and possessions
  • To keep and spend a reasonable sum of your own money

This means that from time to time, for your safety, the safety of others, or treatment reasons, some of your rights could be restricted. For example, if you have a personal possession that is dangerous or illegal, that right may be restricted, or if you make inappropriate phone calls, your phone privileges may be restricted.

Still Need Help? Contact a PRIDE in North Carolina Location Near You

Pride in North Carolina has 11 locations across the state.
Find the location nearest and most convenient for you.