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AC-162 Original: 07/01/12 Revision: 06/12/19 Page 1 of 3 AC-162 Accessibility of Services Requirements 1 ALPINE COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES P&P No. AC-162 Approved By: Gail St.James, LMFT, ACBHS Director Subject: ACCESSIBILITY OF SERVICES REQUIREMENTS Effective Date: 07/01/2012 Revisions: 03/06/2014; 05/25/2015; 08/05/2015; 06/12/2019 PURPOSE: The purpose of this policy is to outline the requirements for compliance with all federal, state and local laws and regulations in regards to ensuring access to services for persons with disabilities. POLICY: ACBHS and its contract providers will ensure equal access to alcohol and other drug (AOD) prevention, treatment, and recovery services by persons with disabilities (PWD). ACBHS is responsible for ensuring that our services and our contract service providers’ programs are accessible and do not discriminate against or deny equal opportunity to participate in and benefit by the provider’s services. Client Rights ACBHS and its contract providers will not unlawfully discriminate in the provision of services because of race, color, creed, national origin, gender, age, or physical, sensory, cognitive, or mental disability. ACBHS substance use disorder treatment services will be made available to all individuals with mobility, communication, or cognitive impairments as required by state and federal laws and regulations. ACBHS will identify all physical and programmatic barriers to services and develop plans for removing or mitigating the identified barriers. Compliance Requirements ACBHS has adopted this policy in compliance with: Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 Section 540 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 45 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 84, Non-discrimination on the Basis of Handicap in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance Title 24, California Code of Regulations (CCR), Part 2, Activities Receiving ---PAGE BREAK--- AC-162 Original: 07/01/12 Revision: 06/12/19 Page 2 of 3 AC-162 Accessibility of Services Requirements 2 Federal Financial Assistance Unruh Civil Rights Act California Civil Code (CCC) Sections 51 through 51.3 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Section 2000d, Title 42, United States Code) All applicable laws related to services and access to services for persons with disabilities. Federal regulations (Fair Employment and Housing Act) State code (California Administrative Code, Title 2) Section 111335 of the California government code Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 10800) Division 4, Title 9 of the California Code of Regulations ACBHS understands that failure to initiate actions to correct identified deficiencies may result in civil penalties, and possible suspension, or revocation, of licensure, certification or contract cancellation. PROCEDURE: Notifying Clients of their Rights Program participants will be notified of this accessibility policy through an informing brochure, which will include information on their right to file a complaint alleging discrimination or violation of their civil rights or the provisions of this policy. County Access Assessment and Coordination ACBHS shall conduct the following assessments and keep records of these results, which shall be provided to DHCS upon request. The assessments must: Determine the extent of the need for AOD services within Alpine County; Determine the percentage of the county residential AOD service providers that accept PWD and the county’s implementation plan for ensuring that a sufficient number of out- patient and residential AOD services accessible by PWDs are strategically placed within Alpine County; and Define, develop, and implement: 1) the referral mechanism for those AOD service facilities that do not accept PWD; 2) the plan to provide services to PWD that are substantially equivalent to services provided to non-disabled individuals, including equivalency of travel time and distance. ACBHS is required to designate a County Access Coordinator (CAC) for serving PWD. The role of the ACBHS CAC is that of liaison between the provider community, County AOD Administrator’s office, and DHCS. The CAC is responsible for ensuring the integrity of the county’s compliance with all issues related to AOD services. Notifying and Monitoring Contract Providers Compliance with this accessibility policy is ensured through the inclusion of this language in county contracts with providers. Contractors must accept and adhere to this policy to be in ---PAGE BREAK--- AC-162 Original: 07/01/12 Revision: 06/12/19 Page 3 of 3 AC-162 Accessibility of Services Requirements 3 compliance with the terms of the contract. ACBHS will, at least every three years, assess, monitor, and document each contract provider’s compliance with this accessibility policy. ACBHS will ensure that clients (and potential clients) are provided services without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, gender, age, or physical, sensory, cognitive, or mental disability. Noncompliance Noncompliance with this accessibility policy will constitute grounds for the State to withhold payments for services or terminate all, or any type, of funding provided to ACBHS. Non- compliance with this accessibility policy will constitute grounds for ACBHS to terminate contractual agreements with contract providers. Reference: ADP Bulletin 09-05.