File a Grievance

Ohio Recovery Housing Colorado

It is the policy of Ohio Recovery Housing Colorado (ORHC) to ensure Certified Residences and stakeholders grievances are handled respectfully, appropriately, and professionally. The Formal Grievance Procedure should be used to resolve interpersonal conflict between individuals and to report issues with existing ORHC policy that a Certified Residence believes should be examined prior to the next scheduled annual policy review meeting.

The Formal Grievance Procedure should not be used for retribution or personal/agency gain.

The Formal Grievance Procedure includes but is not limited to the investigation, validation, and recommendation of the Ethics Committee as to the standing of the Certified Residence and sanctions and/or disqualification of their certification to the ORH Board, when necessary.

Grievance Review Process and Confidentiality

ORHC is committed to conducting grievance investigations in a manner that is fair, objective, and consistent for all parties involved.

To ensure a fair review, the individual or organization against whom a grievance has been filed must be given sufficient information to understand the allegations and provide a meaningful response. For this reason, ORHC does not redact the substance or context of a grievance. Doing so would prevent the responding party from adequately addressing the concerns raised and would compromise the integrity of the review process.

While the nature and factual basis of the grievance are shared when necessary, ORHC takes reasonable steps to protect the identity of the person submitting the grievance. Unless disclosure is required by law or is otherwise necessary to conduct the investigation, personally identifying information—such as the complainant’s name, contact information, or other direct identifiers—is removed before the grievance is provided to the responding party.

Individuals submitting a grievance should also understand that anonymous grievances present significant limitations. Because ORHC  is often unable to clarify facts, obtain supporting information, or verify allegations without communicating with the complainant, anonymous grievances may not be able to be investigated or resolved. While ORHC will review all information received, the ability to take action depends on whether sufficient, verifiable evidence is available.

This process is intended to balance the privacy interests of the complainant with the due process rights of the responding party, ensuring that grievance decisions are based on a fair and impartial review of all available information.

The respondent is entitled to a full and complete copy of the following:

Signed complaint; (Subject of complaint/ grievance; Identity of complainant / grievant will remain confidential). All Complaints must be accompanied with contact information and signature by the complainant in order for ORHC to conduct any investigation or proceedings of the complaint.

The complainant is entitled to a full and complete copy of the following:

ORHC staff recommendations; ORH Board Recommendations.

Oversight and Conflict of Interest:

In all cases, If a member reviewing the grievance  is a party in a grievance, currently employed by, or owns and operates or is involved in any way, he or she will be excused from the grievance proceedings. If a member of the ORH Board is a party in a grievance, currently employed by, or owns and operates, or is involved in any way, he or she will be excused from the grievance proceedings. In addition, no ORH Board member will be involved in an audit of their own company, nor in a voting role on any certification action or any other action of their own organization.

Sanctions

Possible sanctions for the violation of the ORHC Code of Ethics or Standards include but are not limited to:

• Written Reprimand: A Written Reprimand with request for Corrective Action and follow-up review;
• Probation: A Probationary period with request for Corrective Action and follow-up review;
• Revocation; Certification is revoked.

Denial of Application for Certification with ORHC.

ORHC may consider the applicant’s or agency’s past history in regards to ethical sanctions and disciplinary actions when determining the appropriate sanctions for the current ethics case.

The Formal Grievance Process

It’s important to follow the grievance or complaint procedures carefully and to document all pertinent facts, dates and information when filing a report or claim.

Step 1: Filing

The Formal Grievance should be documented on the ORHC Formal Grievance Form, provide contact information and be signed; Verbal and non-signed grievances will not be acted upon.

Step 2: Submission

The ORHC Formal Grievance Form should be submitted online or to the Executive Director of ORHC, or if a perceived conflict exists, to the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) Grievance Department.

Step 3: Notification of Receipt

Grievant should be notified by email or telephone. 

Step 4: Investigation

ORH will complete an objective investigation of the matter and record the findings in writing

Step 5: Presentation to the Board

In situations where it is needed, ORHC presents to the ORH Board of Directors at the next scheduled meeting. The presentation shall include the compliant / grievance; investigation summary including an objective account of everything that transpired to result in the grievance and as well as anything that have occurred as a result of the grievance, and the recommended action to be taken;

Step 6: Board Decision/Recommendations

When applicable ORH Board of Directors will discuss and make a formal recommendation for vote at the next general meeting. A report of the findings, voting results, and corrective actions to be taken will be provided to the complainant via email. The proceedings will be recorded in general meeting minutes to keep official record;

Right to Appeal

In compliance with C.R.S. §27.80.129(10): Any certified recovery residence or client adversely affected or aggrieved by a decision made by the certifying body pursuant to this section has the right to appeal to the Colorado department of personnel and administration, office of administrative courts and may subsequently seek judicial review of the certifying body’s action.