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Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute 

Local Human Rights Committee

SWVMHI is committed to providing an effective rights protection and advocacy system for clients.  

SWVMHI employees will work cooperatively with clients and their family members, the staff of the Office of Human Rights, the Local Human Rights Committee (LHRC), and the State Human Rights Committee (SHRC) to enhance the nature  and quality of services provided to clients.  

What Is a Local Human Rights Committee?

A Local Human Rights Committee (LHRC) is comprised of volunteers who represent mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse services, professional groups and consumer groups.  The committee's responsibility is to perform certain functions under the state Human Rights Regulations.  The State Human Rights Committee appoints the LHRC members for a term of three years after consultation with the Commissioner for the state Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services.

The LHRC plays a vital role by:  1) conducting fact finding hearings and making recommendations for resolution of complaints not resolved formally or informally by staff; 2) reviewing and making recommendations concerning policies, procedures, practices, treatment plans and restrictive programming; 3) reviewing and making recommendations concerning requests for variance to the Human Rights Regulations; and 4) performing other oversight functions according to the Local Human Rights Committee By-laws.

The SWVMHI Local Human Rights Committee's 2007 schedule of meetings is posted below: 

2008 Meeting Schedule

MEETING DATE

TIME

LOCATION

Thursday,  February 7 12:00 noon

Henderson Building, Room 106

Thursday, March 13 12:00 noon 

Henderson Building, Room 106

Thursday, May 8 12:00 noon 

Henderson Building, Room 106

Thursday, July 17 12:00 noon 

C Building Conference Room 

Thursday, September 11 12:00 noon  Henderson Building, Room 106
Thursday, November 13 12:00 noon

Henderson Building, Room 106

Meeting Minutes

February 7, 2008 January 11, 2007 February 9, 2006
March 13, 2008 March 8, 2007 March 9, 2006  
June 27, 2007 May 11, 2006  
October 11, 2007 September 14, 2006 
November 8, 2007 November 9, 2006

LHRC Membership

We are always interested in hearing from individuals who have an interest in serving as members.  If you would like to find out more information about the LHRC, or for inquires regarding committee membership and vacancies, contact Dr. Cynthia McClaskey, Director (276) 783-1201 or Deborah Jones, Human Rights Advocate (276) 783-0828.  A personal interview is required of all applicants for committee membership, and final decisions regarding appointments are made by the State Human Rights Committee.

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