Residential Treatment Non-Discrimination Policy

Purpose

To ensure the fair and equal treatment of all persons employed or seeking employment with Khepera House. To ensure the fair and equal treatment of all persons seeking or receiving services through Khepera House. 

Policy

Khepera will make a reasonable effort to ensure equal access to quality care and employment by diverse populations, including persons 18-65 years of age, and work to create a diverse community for its clients and employees. 

Employment

Khepera House ensures equal employment opportunity based on objective standards of recruitment, selection, promotion, classification, compensation, performance evaluations, and management relations, for all employees in accordance with Federal Executive Order No. 11246. Khepera will not harass, discriminate against or grant preferential treatment to, any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, denial of family and medical care leave, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 years or older), sexual orientation, or military and veteran status pursuant to California Government Code section 12940, California Constitution, Article 1, Section 31, Age Discrimination in Employment Act (29 CFR Part 1625), Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) (California Government Code Section 12900 et seq.), applicable regulations promulgated thereunder (California Administrative Code, Title 2, Section 7285.0 et seq.), and Executive Order 11375. In accordance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (38 U.S.C. 4212) and 41 CFR Part 60, Khepera will take affirmative action to recruit, hire, promote, and retain veterans and individuals with disabilities. In accordance with California Government Code section 16367.8, Khepera shall include in its membership older persons, as defined by Section 9103 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, in such numbers as to proportionately reflect in the membership of the agency, as nearly as possible, the population of persons 18-65 years of age residing within the jurisdiction of the city, county, or special district as indicated in the most recent national decennial census.

Khepera House will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment, except when such accommodation would cause an undue hardship as stated in Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (29 CFR Part 1630).

Khepera House is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment and holds its employees to the highest professional and ethical standards of conduct. Khepera prohibits harassment or discrimination by any employees. Khepera encourages its employees to report any violations of ethical conduct, harassment and/or discrimination to their supervisor or the Program Director. Violations of conduct may also be reported to Ventura County’s Confidential Disclosure Hotline at 1-888-488-3146 or the county Compliance Office at 805-677-5241. Failure to abide by these codes of conduct may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination. Any and all allegations of harassment or discrimination will be investigated fairly and thoroughly, and the proper steps will be taken to ameliorate the situation. 

Services

Khepera House is committed to the belief that all persons who suffer from an addictive disorder should be free from any and all stigma and discrimination. Therefore, it is the policy of the Khepera house, to prohibit unlawful discrimination of any person seeking services or any person receiving services based on race, color, creed, sex, religion, marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, political belief, status as a veteran, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws and set forth in Title 6 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Section 2000, Title 42, United States Code), Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 USC 3601 et seq.), Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (45 CFR Part 90), as amended (42 USC Sections 6101 – 6107), Americans with Disabilities Act (28 CFR Part 35), and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (28 CFR Part 35). This commitment applies to all persons involved in the operations of the Khepera House and prohibits unlawful discrimination or harassment by any employee of the Khepera House toward any individual. In addition, being on parole or probation is not a barrier to receiving services at Khepara House. Khepera collaborates with parole, probation, and Geo Re-entry program, to ensure prospective clients that have been incarcerated have access to SUD services.

To comply with applicable laws ensuring non-discrimination and equal treatment opportunities to qualified individuals with a disability, Khepera House will make reasonable accommodations for the known limitations of an otherwise qualified individual with a disability who is a resident, and who meets all inclusion criteria and no exclusion criteria, unless undue hardship would result. This may include but is not limited to: Cultural, racial, linguistic, sexual, physical, or mental limitations or differences as set forth in Executive Order 13166 (67 FR 41455). The availability of language assistance services, including oral interpretation and translated written materials free of charge and in a timely manner, when those services are necessary to provide a meaningful access to health care programs or activities to LEP beneficiaries (W&I Code and Gov Section 11135).

Khepera also prohibits discrimination in all aspects of housing (rental, lease, terms, and conditions, etc.) because of a person's disability. In the event that a potential admission cannot be accommodated, referral to a more appropriate program will be provided. As set forth in Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (28 CFR Part 36), Khepera ensures that its facilities are designed, constructed, and altered in compliance with the accessibility standards established by this law. In addition, Khepera prohibits intersectional discrimination, discrimination on more than one basis, harassment, coercion, intimidation, and retaliation for exercising a protected right or refusing to engage in an act prohibited by Title 2, Division 3, Article 9.5 of the California Government Code, commencing with Section 11135.

Khepera maintains compliance with all laws governing confidentiality of client records to protect the client’s privacy and avoid any possible discrimination associated with seeking substance use disorder services. Khepera holds its employees to the highest standards of ethical conduct and prohibits any employee from violating any laws or regulations governing the privacy of or fair treatment of a client or potential client. 

Upon admission into the program, a client will be advised of his/her rights and informed of the grievance policy and procedure. The client will be asked to sign an acknowledgement of receipt of this information and will be given copies of the policies and procedures. These policies and procedures will also be posted in the facility. If a client believes himself or herself to be subject to discrimination, the client shall file a written complaint with a staff member at Khepera or the County. Such a complaint shall be initially filed with Khepera for informal resolution, when applicable. Khepera will make a reasonable effort to achieve a mutually agreed upon resolution to the complaint. The complainant shall be notified in writing of the resolution of such complaint, if any, and of the complainant's right to file such complaint with the County if no informal resolution to the satisfaction of the complainant is achieved. Complaints may be filed with the County prior to the completion of the informal complaint process (CCR Title 9, Division 4, Chapter 6, Article 10).

Citations/Sources:

California Government Code Section 12940-protected categories

California Government Code section 16367.8

California Constitution, Article 1, Section 31

Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973-affirmative action -disabled persons

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 USC Section 794)

The Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (38 U.S.C. 4212)

Federal Executive Order No. 11246 (42 USC 2000(e) et seq

Executive Order 11375-sex

41 CFR Part 60-veterans

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 2000d, as amended.

Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 USC 3601 et seq.)

Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (45 CFR Part 90), as amended (42 USC Sections 6101 – 6107)

Age Discrimination in Employment Act (29 CFR Part 1625)

Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (29 CFR Part 1630)

Americans with Disabilities Act (28 CFR Part 35)

Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (28 CFR Part 35)

Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (28 CFR Part 36)

Executive Order 13166 (67 FR 41455)

The Drug Abuse Office and Treatment Act of 1972

Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records (42 CFR Part 2, Subparts A – E)

Fair Employment and Housing Act (California Government Code Section 12900 et seq.) and the applicable regulations promulgated thereunder (California Administrative Code, Title 2, Section 7285.0 et seq.).

Title 2, Division 3, Article 9.5 of the California Government Code, commencing with Section 11135.

Title 9, Division 4, Chapter 8 of the CCR, commencing with Section 10800

CCR Title 9, Division 4, Chapter 6, Article 10

United States Code, Title 42 Chapter 6A, Subchapter XVII, Part B, Subpart ii

Code of Federal Regulations, Title 45, Parts 75