Resident rights
Your rights, in plain language
Every person living in a licensed Oregon Residential Treatment Home keeps the same civil and human rights as anyone else. This page summarizes those rights and explains how to raise a concern.
Rights every resident keeps
About this summary
This is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Each resident receives a written copy of their rights and the home's grievance policy at admission. Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 309, Division 35, contain the full requirements.
Dignity and respect
To be treated with dignity, courtesy, and respect, and to receive culturally responsive support. To be free from abuse, neglect, coercion, and retaliation for exercising your rights.
Privacy
To privacy in your living space, including a unit you can lock. To confidential mail, phone calls, and visits, and to have your records kept confidential and shared only with permission or as the law allows.
Personal choice
To control your own schedule and activities, choose a roommate when rooms are shared, decorate and furnish your space, have visitors at any time, and have access to food at any time.
Community access
To take part in community life — including recreation, religious services, work, and education — and to have daily access to fresh air and the outdoors.
Individualized support
To take part in creating your residential service plan, to have your goals and preferences guide your support, and to choose your providers where options are available.
Freedom from discrimination
To receive services without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or other protected characteristics, and to receive reasonable accommodations.
Information and consent
To review the home's policies, to give informed consent before admission and to services, to see and get copies of your own records, and to refuse to take part in research.
Fair treatment
To practice the religion of your choice, or none, and not to be required to do work beyond personal housekeeping without fair pay.
Important to know
When a right may be limited
Some rights can be limited only in specific, lawful circumstances. Oregon allows an individually-based limitation — for example, to food access, visitors, or a lockable door — only when it addresses a specific, assessed health or safety need, is the least restrictive option, is agreed to through informed consent (or required by a supervisory entity), and is documented and reviewed regularly.
Rights may also be limited by a court order or by an authorized agency, such as the Psychiatric Security Review Board, for people under their supervision. Any limitation applies only to the individual involved — never as a house-wide rule.
Concerns & complaints
Raising a concern or grievance
Residents, and people acting on their behalf, can raise concerns at any time without fear of retaliation. Under Oregon rules, the process works like this:
No one will be punished or treated differently for raising a concern or filing a grievance.
Step 1: Talk with us
Many concerns can be resolved informally by speaking with staff or the administrator. Informal complaints are documented.
Step 2: File a written grievance
A resident may submit a written grievance to the program administrator. Staff help is available to write it. The administrator meets with the resident within five days and gives a written decision within five days after that meeting. Urgent concerns can receive an expedited response within 48 hours.
Step 3: Appeal the decision
If the resident disagrees with the decision, they may appeal within ten days. For homes like Faith Care, appeals go to the director of the local Community Mental Health Program or their designee.
Step 4: Contact outside advocates
At any time, residents and families may contact the Residential Facilities Ombudsman Program, the Oregon Health Authority, or Disability Rights Oregon (see below).
Independent help
Outside advocates and agencies
These organizations are independent of Faith Care and can help residents and families at any time.
Oregon Residential Facilities Ombudsman Program
Independent, confidential advocacy for people living in licensed mental health residential settings in Oregon.
Oregon Health Authority — Licensing complaints
File a complaint about a licensed or certified behavioral health program with OHA Licensing and Certification.
Clackamas County Behavioral Health
The local community mental health program (CMHP) for Clackamas County, which helps coordinate access to residential services.
Disability Rights Oregon
Oregon's federally designated protection and advocacy organization for people with disabilities, including mental health disabilities.
Official sources
- Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 309, Division 35 (opens in a new tab) — Licensing rules for residential treatment facilities and homes for adults with mental health disorders.
- Oregon Health Authority — Residential Treatment Programs (opens in a new tab) — OHA licensing information for mental health residential programs.
Questions about resident rights?
We are happy to explain our policies and how we support each resident's rights and choices.