|
Independent Living
Resource Center
of Northeast Florida
FAQs
What is a Consumer?
What is an
Independent Living Plan?
Am I required to complete an
Independent Living Plan to receive services?
What does Consumer Control and
Consumer Driven mean?
Will the staff keep my information
confidential?
How do I become eligible for service?
Can I be suspended from services?
Who do I contact if I have a
complaint about the Center?
Is staff able to
give me my medication?
If an unusual incident occurs while I am
at the ILRC, what should I do?
What happens if I get caught at the
Center with contraband?
Would my group be able to use the Center
for a monthly meeting?
What is a Consumer?
A Consumer is a person with a significant
disability who agrees to accept the services of the Independent Living
Resource Center of N. E. Florida by participating in an intake process
consisting of:
-
An intake interview with
an employee of the ILRC in initiate and document the individual's status as
a Consumer;
-
Development of an
Independent Living Plan with appropriate goals, or signing a waiver of an
ILP; and
-
Completion of other
appropriate documents: voter registration, Client Assistance Program,
etc.
Back
to Top
What is an
Independent Living Plan?
A Consumer has the right to develop an
Independent Living Plan (ILP) that sets goals for the Consumer to reach
independence. The ILP is Consumer driven and ILRC staff will only act
in an assistive role in this process. Once a Consumer learns about the
services offered by the Center, the consumer has the right to develop goals
that she or he would like to achieve. Goals will include actions steps
and identify roles and responsibilities of Consumer and staff. An ILP
includes a Consumer/Staff Agreement that both people sign to ensure that
both will work together on these established goals.
Back to Top
Am I required to complete an
Independent Living Plan to receive services?
No, the Consumer has the right to sign an
ILP waiver that states you would like to delay creating an ILP at this time.
If you choose not to complete an ILP, you may still participate in services
and this will be documented in your Consumer Service Record.
Back to Top
What does Consumer Control and
Consumer Driven mean?
The ILRC is a Consumer controlled and
Consumer driven organization. This means the Center gets Consumer
input on what services are being provided and direction on how the ILRC is
operated. Consumers are also involved with governing Board of
Directors via Consumer Advisory Council.
Back to Top
Will the staff keep my information
confidential?
The Center staff is advised that all
information gained or shared, either directly or indirectly, about Consumers
is private and shall remain confidential. Consumer Services Records
(CSR) are kept in a locked file cabinet to ensure confidentiality.
Only ILRC staff and representatives of funding sources have access to the
CSR's. Consumers have the right to review their file at any time.
Consumers may request in writing to have the ILRC release copies of its
records. No information shall be released to a third party unless a
Release of Information form is signed by a Consumer giving such permission.
Confidentiality may not be breached except in the following circumstances:
1) when the Consumer poses imminent danger to him/herself or others, 2) when
abuse or neglect is suspected, 3) court order, or 4) in certain situations
as a result of a subpoena.
Back to Top
How do I become eligible for service?
Information and Referral services are
available to anyone calling or writing the ILRC. For other services,
recipients must possess a significant disability, have a record of
possessing a significant disability or be regarded as possessing a
significant disability. With permission of the Consumer, family
members, employers, employees, coworkers, landlords, and friends of
Consumers may receive services of an advocacy or training nature which will
directly assist the Consumer. Services will be provided to or on
behalf of a Consumer only with his or her permission. Consumers must
live in the 7 county region served by the ILRC.
Back to Top
Can I be suspended from services?
A Consumer may be suspended from
utilizing the ILRC program and from receiving personal services.
Justificaiton for suspension will be put in writing and the Executive
Director will make the final decision. A Consumer will always be
referred to another agency that might help the Consumer. When, in the
judgment of the Executive Director, the situation has been satisfactorily
resolved, the ILRC may continue to provide services.
Back to Top
Who do I contact if I have a
complaint about the Center?
The following procedures have been
developed for Consumers who are not satisfied with ILRC services or staff:
-
Discuss the matter
directly with the staff member that you feel is not assisting you.
-
If not satisfied, then
submit a written or taped statement of your grievance to the Executive
Director. The Executive Director will make a decision within two
weeks.
-
If still not satisfied,
you can submit a written statement/tape to the Board of Directors who will
make a final decision within one month.
-
Consumers may also file a
complaint with the Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, Inc.,
Client Assistance Program (CAP). You may contact CAP at the following
address or phone: The Advocacy Center, Inc., 2671 Executive Center W.,
Suite 100, Tallahassee, FL 32301, 1-800-342-0823 (V), 1-800-346-4127 (TDD
only)
-
Consumers can access any
of these options at any time.
Back to
Top
Is staff able to
give me my medication?
No drugs or medication of any type may be
administered by any representative of the ILRC.
Back to Top
If an unusual incident occurs while I am
at the ILRC, what should I do?
An unusual incident is any event which
could cause a liability to the Center. Examples includes; unfriendly,
physical contact between anyone; unprofessional conduct; property damage;
injury to anyone at the Center; breach of confidentiality; illegal
contraband in the facility including weapons; or verbal or physical threats.
A Consumer is requested to report any incident to a staff member, which will
then be reported to the Executive Director within one hour of the incident.
All incidents shall be treated as strictly confidential and may not be
discussed with anyone without prior approval of the Executive Director.
Back to Top
What happens if I get caught at the
Center with contraband?
There will be no alcoholic beverages,
illegal drugs, firearms or weapons allowed at the ILRC, nor at any function
where ILRC programs are held. If a Consumer is engaging in an activity
that poses a threat or causes other disturbances, the Center staff will take
all measures to ensure a safe environment is maintained at all times for
staff, visitors, and Consumers.
Back to Top
Would my group be able to use the Center
for a monthly meeting?
The ILRC offers the use of its building
to disability related organizations for meetings, classes, or social
functions. To ensure security is maintained, an ILRC staff member must
be present at all times when the building is in use.
Back to Top |
