RESIDENT RIGHTS                                                                                     04-02-008

RESIDENTS’ COUNCIL

POLICY STATEMENT.

The Division of Veterans Healthcare Services (DVHS) shall ensure that residents in the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes (VMH) are afforded the opportunity to organize and participate in a Residents’ Council that presents resident’s concerns to the administrator of the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home.

PURPOSE.

The Residents’ Council is established to ensure that veteran home residents have the opportunity to participate in the planning and administration of their lives, and to establish and/or implement a system whereby grievances and/or recommendations, including those related to resident rights and resident activities, can be identified within the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes.

DEFINITION.

The word “Veteran Home Resident” shall be interpreted as including residents of all units.  Every resident is entitled and encouraged to participate in the Residents’ Council, which shall be scheduled to meet not less than once each month.

RESIDENTS’ COUNCIL.

1. The New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes shall encourage and/or assist residents in organizing and implementing the Residents’ Council that presents residents’ concerns and/or interests to the administrator of the home.

2. The New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes will be responsible for establishing a Residents’ Council, and organizing an annual election of Residents’ Council Officers, to facilitate Residents’ Council representation in a forum that assures residents the right to participate in the planning and administration of their lives.

a. Residents’ Council:

(1) If desired, the Chief Executive Officer or designee will attend meetings.

(2) There will be an election of Residents’ Council Officers. Said Officers will represent the entire membership and will constitute an advisory rather than a policy making body.  Election of Officers will be held annually.

(3) All residents will have the right to present any grievances, without fear or threat of discharge or reprisal in any form or manner whatsoever.

3. Minutes will be kept of all meetings, and copies of these minutes will be given to the Chief Executive Officer.

4. The Chief Executive Officer or designee will act upon, make recommendations, and/or investigate situations, as necessary.

RESIDENT RIGHTS                                                                                     04-02-008

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RESIDENTS’ COUNCIL

5. Committees will be formed within the Residents’ Council membership to cover areas specific to residents’ needs.

6. The Residents’ Council has the right to request the attendance of Department Heads at a meeting to afford the membership the opportunity to present questions regarding particular issues, in order that problems may be resolved.  Meetings will be arranged by written invitation, and a time set wherein all members are able to be present.

7. Announcement of meetings will be made over the PA system prior to a meeting, and assistance shall be made available for transporting residents to and from meetings.

8. Copies of minutes will be forwarded to the various Departments for recommendations.

9. Residents have the right to request meetings with or without staff representation.

10. The resolution of issues from individual meetings will be written for presentation at the following meeting, so a complete record is available along with the minutes of issues as they occur.

Revised:     July 1993

Reviewed:  November 1996

Revised:     March 2004

Revised:     July 2007