Local Human Rights Committee

The Catawba Local Human Rights Committee (LHRC) is comprised of five or more members who have an interest in mental health, intellectual disability, or substance abuse issues. Members are broadly representative of various community, professional and consumer groups. Consumers and their family members are an integral part of the committee's composition. The Catawba LHRC seeks to maintain objectivity through balanced diversity of membership. Members are unpaid volunteers who serve terms of from one to three years. The LHRC normally meets at Catawba Hospital on a quarterly basis on the third Wednesday of the month at 3:00pm.

For more information about LHRC membership, please contact Dwayne Lynch, Human Rights Advocate (540-375-4321 or dwayne.lynch@dbhds.virginia.gov). A personal interview is required of all applicants for committee membership. The State Human Rights Committee makes final decisions regarding appointments after consultation with the Commissioner of the state Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

Vital Role of Local Human Rights Committee

Local Human Rights Committee members perform a vital role in community oversight of facility and community programs and practices. The committee also hears complaints that cannot be resolved at the facility level.

The Local Human Rights Committee:
1) Conducts fact finding hearings and makes recommendations for resolution of complaints that were not resolved informally;
2) Reviews and makes recommendations concerning policies, procedures, practices, treatment plans and restrictive programming;
3) Reviews and makes recommendations concerning requests for variance to the Human Rights Regulations; and
4) Performs other oversight functions in the Local Human Rights Bylaws.

The LHRC normally meets on a quarterly basis at Catawba Hospital.

2016 LHRC Schedule

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