Legal Notices

Resident Rights &
Notices

Vitalia Care Services is committed to upholding the rights of every individual we serve. This page sets out the rights guaranteed to individuals receiving developmental disabilities services under Oregon law, along with required notices, non-discrimination commitments, and how to file a complaint.

Effective: January 2025 Last Reviewed: July 2026 Authority: ORS 427.107 · OAR 411-318

Required Notice

Per ORS 427.107(2)(m) and OAR 411-318-0010, Vitalia Care Services is required to inform each individual of their rights at the start of services and at minimum annually thereafter. A copy of this notice is provided to each individual and, as applicable, their legal or designated representative at admission and upon request.

Notification of Rights

As a recipient of developmental disabilities services from Vitalia Care Services, you have rights guaranteed under Oregon law. These rights apply to all individuals eligible for or receiving developmental disabilities services under ORS 427.107 and OAR 411-318-0010 through 411-318-0030.

Your rights may be asserted and exercised by you, your legal representative, or any representative you designate. Vitalia Care Services staff are required to help you understand and exercise these rights and must not interfere with, retaliate against, or penalize you for exercising them.

Individual Rights

While receiving developmental disabilities services from Vitalia Care Services, you have the right to:

Freedom from abuse and neglect — The right to be free from all forms of abuse and neglect, and to report any incident of abuse or neglect without being subject to retaliation.

Freedom from restraint and seclusion — The right to be free from seclusion, unauthorized training or treatment, and personal, chemical, and mechanical restraints, unless there is an imminent risk of physical harm and only for as long as that risk continues.

Appropriate medication — The right to have medication administered only for your clinical needs as indicated by a health care provider, unless there is an imminent risk of physical harm.

Consent and choice in treatment — The right to consent to or refuse treatment. If you are not capable of consenting, an alternative decision-maker must be allowed to consent or refuse treatment on your behalf.

Dignity and respect — The right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to have your personal and cultural values, beliefs, and preferences honored.

Privacy — The right to privacy in your personal space, belongings, communications, and records, in accordance with applicable law.

Confidentiality — The right to have your records and personal information kept confidential, consistent with Oregon and federal law.

Communication — The right to communicate freely with people of your choice, including family, friends, advocates, and legal representatives. The right to have communication support if needed.

Community participation — The right to participate regularly in community activities and to use community resources, including recreation, employment services, education, and health care.

Education (under 21) — For individuals less than 21 years of age, the right to access a free and appropriate public education, including a procedure for school attendance or refusal to attend.

Financial rights — The right to manage your own money and financial affairs, unless this right has been taken away by court order. The right to receive reasonable and lawful compensation for any labor performed beyond personal housekeeping duties.

Personal property — The right to keep and use personal property and have a reasonable amount of personal storage space.

Basic needs — The right to receive food, housing, clothing, medical and health care, supportive services, and training.

Meaningful life and community integration — The right to seek a meaningful life by choosing from available services and enjoying the benefits of community involvement and integration in a manner that is most integrated, considering your preferences and age.

Freedom from discrimination — The right to receive services without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, source of income, or duration of Oregon residence.

Records access — The right to access your own records and to request correction of inaccurate information in those records.

Family contact notification — The right to be informed if a family member has contacted ODDS to determine your location, and to be informed of that family member’s name and contact information if known, as provided under ORS 430.212.

Civil and legal rights — The right to all legal and civil rights provided by law, including the right to vote, exercise religious freedom, marry, own and dispose of property, and enter into contracts, except where specifically limited by law.

Important

The individual rights listed above do not limit any other statutory and constitutional rights that are afforded all citizens. Nothing herein alters the legal rights and responsibilities between a parent and child. A parent or guardian may place reasonable limitations on the rights of a child.

Additional Rights Under Home & Community-Based Services

In addition to the individual rights above, individuals receiving Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) from Vitalia have the right to receive services in settings with the qualities described in OAR 411-004-0020(1), which include:

Integration in and access to the greater community
Individual choice of setting and living arrangements
Freedom to access food, visitors, and personal property at any time
Choice of roommate (if sharing a bedroom)
Freedom to decorate and furnish your own space
Control over your own schedule and activities
Privacy in your unit and communications

Limitations to any of these freedoms may only be imposed when there is a documented health or safety need, with your informed consent or the consent of your legal representative, as part of your Individual Support Plan (ISP). Limitations must be the least restrictive necessary and reviewed regularly.

Additional Rights in Residential Settings

For individuals residing in Vitalia’s 24-Hour Residential Program, the following additional rights apply under OAR 411-325-0300:

The right to a written Residency Agreement specifying your rights, responsibilities, and the eviction process
The right to receive advance written notice (at least 30 calendar days) before any involuntary reduction, transfer, or exit, except in a medical emergency or imminent safety situation
The right to appeal any involuntary reduction, transfer, or exit through an administrative hearing
The right to have a lock on your bedroom door, lockable by you
The right to have visitors at times of your choosing
The right to furnish and decorate your bedroom in accordance with your Residency Agreement
The right to contact the Oregon Residential Facility Ombudsman at any time

Filing a Complaint

You have the right to file a complaint if you believe your rights have been violated or if you are dissatisfied with the services you receive. Vitalia Care Services must address complaints in accordance with OAR 411-318-0015. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.

How to file a complaint with Vitalia Care Services

Contact Vitalia Care Services directly by phone, email, or in writing. All complaints are reviewed by the Executive Director and responded to within 10 business days.

Phone: (971) 284-6950
Email: info@vitaliacareservices.com
Mail: Call or email us to request a mailing address for written complaints.

How to file a complaint with the state

You may also file a complaint with the Oregon Department of Human Services / ODDS, your local CDDP, or the following organizations:

Disability Rights Oregon — Free legal assistance and advocacy. 503-243-2081 · droregon.org
Residential Facilities Ombudsman (RFO) — Independent advocacy for individuals in licensed residential settings. 1-800-522-2602 · oltco.org
Washington County CDDP — Your service coordinator can assist with complaints. 503-846-4737
ODHS Office of Licensing — For complaints about licensed residential settings

Notification of Planned Action

If a developmental disabilities service is being denied, reduced, suspended, or terminated, Vitalia Care Services is required to provide you with a written advance Notification of Planned Action (ODHS Form 0947) as described in OAR 411-318-0020.

This notice must be provided to you before the planned action takes effect, and must explain:

The specific action being taken and the effective date
The reason for the action
Your right to request a hearing
How to request a hearing and the deadline for doing so
The name and contact information for your case manager

If you are involuntarily exited from a residential setting, Vitalia Care Services must provide at least 30 calendar days written notice, except in cases of medical emergency or imminent danger to yourself or others.

Hearing Rights

You have the right to request a hearing to challenge a planned action under ORS chapter 183 and OAR 411-318-0025. Hearings are conducted by the Oregon Office of Administrative Hearings.

You must request a hearing within 120 days of the date of the Notification of Planned Action (or the deadline listed on the notice)
If you request a hearing and continuation of services within 15 calendar days of the planned action date, services must continue at the current level until the hearing is resolved
For involuntary exit or transfer from a residential setting, you must request a hearing within 15 calendar days to preserve the right to remain during the hearing process
You may request an expedited hearing if there is an urgent need
You have the right to representation at the hearing, including legal representation

To request a hearing, contact the Oregon Department of Human Services or your case manager. Disability Rights Oregon (503-243-2081) can provide free legal assistance with the hearing process.

Non-Discrimination Notice

Vitalia Care Services does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, source of income, or duration of Oregon residence in the provision of services, as required by OAR 411-325-0390(1) and applicable federal and Oregon civil rights laws.

This includes compliance with:

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 — No qualified individual with a disability shall be excluded from or denied services
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) — Equal access to services and programs
ORS Chapter 659A — Oregon civil rights protections
42 U.S.C. § 1983 — Federal civil rights enforcement

If you believe you have been discriminated against, you may file a complaint with Vitalia Care Services, the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) at 503-378-3292, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights at 1-800-368-1019.

Language Access

Vitalia Care Services provides services in English, Spanish, Amharic, and Swahili. Individuals whose primary language is not English have the right to receive services and communications in a language they understand.

This notice is available in English. To request this document or any Vitalia Care Services communication in Spanish, Amharic, Swahili, or another language, contact us at:

Phone: (971) 284-6950
Email: info@vitaliacareservices.com

Language Access Right

Under OAR 411-325-0030(3)(C), providers with demonstrable fluency in a language other than English are prioritized in licensing when an individual’s ability to benefit from supports in that language is likely. Language access is a right, not a courtesy.

Abuse Reporting & Mandatory Reporting

Every employee of Vitalia Care Services is a mandatory reporter under Oregon law. Any employee who has reasonable cause to believe an individual has been abused must report the incident immediately to the appropriate authorities, in accordance with OAR 411-323-0063 and Oregon’s mandatory reporting statutes.

You have the right to report abuse or suspected abuse without fear of retaliation. Reports may be made to:

Oregon Abuse Hotline: 1-855-503-SAFE (7233) — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Local law enforcement: Call 911 in an emergency
Washington County CDDP: 503-846-4737
Disability Rights Oregon: 503-243-2081
Vitalia Care Services: (971) 284-6950

When a substantiated allegation of abuse is received, Vitalia Care Services will provide written notification to affected individuals and their legal representatives, including the type of abuse, when the allegation was substantiated, and how to request a public record copy of the Abuse Investigation Report, per OAR 411-325-0025(10)(b).

Guardianship & Legal Capacity

Under Oregon law, a guardian is appointed for an adult only to the extent necessary to promote and protect the wellbeing of that adult. A guardianship must be designed to encourage maximum self-reliance and independence.

An adult with a guardian retains all legal and civil rights provided by law, except those that have been expressly limited by court order or specifically granted to the guardian by the court. This includes the right to contact and retain legal counsel and to have access to personal records (ORS 125.300).

Vitalia Care Services will work with each individual’s legal representative where applicable, while continuing to respect the individual’s own expressed preferences and rights to the fullest extent possible under their legal arrangement.

Key Rights & Advocacy Contacts

Vitalia Care Services

(971) 284-6950
info@vitaliacareservices.com
Beaverton / Aloha, OR · Washington County

Disability Rights Oregon

503-243-2081
droregon.org
Free legal assistance & advocacy

Residential Facilities Ombudsman

1-800-522-2602
oltco.org
Independent residential advocacy

Washington County CDDP

503-846-4737
Case management & service coordination
Washington County

Oregon Abuse Hotline

1-855-503-SAFE (7233)
24/7 abuse reporting
All types of abuse

HHS Office for Civil Rights

1-800-368-1019
hhs.gov/ocr
Federal civil rights & HIPAA complaints

Questions About Your Rights

If you have questions about any of these rights or need help understanding or exercising them, contact Vitalia Care Services at (971) 284-6950 or your assigned case manager. You may also contact Disability Rights Oregon at 503-243-2081 for free, confidential assistance.