File a Grievance

SCARR Grievance Policy

It is the policy of The South Carolina Alliance for Recovery Residences (SCARR) to ensure Certified Residences and stakeholders grievances are handled respectfully, appropriately, and professionally. The Formal Grievance Procedure should be used to resolve interpersonal conflict between individuals and to report issues with existing SCARR policy that a Certified Residence believes should be examined prior to the next scheduled annual policy review meeting. The Formal Grievance Procedure should not be used for retribution or personal/agency gain. The Formal Grievance Procedure includes but is not limited to the investigation, validation, and recommendation of the Ethics Committee as to the standing of the Certified Residence and sanctions and/or disqualification of their certification to the SCARR Board, when necessary.

Formal Grievance Procedure

Confidentiality of Proceedings
1. All information, notes, reports, transcripts, and any other documentation of any kind that are generated or received during the course of an ethics investigation, including the ethics committee meetings, and appeal hearings, shall be kept confidential by SCARR.

2. The respondent is entitled to a full and complete copy of the following:

  1. Complaint; (Subject of complaint / grievance; Identity of complainant / grievant will remain confidential)
  2. Investigative summary
  3. Ethics Committee’s Recommendations
  4. SCARR Executive Board Recommendations

3. The complainant is entitled to a full and complete copy of the following:

  1. Ethics Committee’s Recommendations
  2. SCARR Executive Board Recommendations

Oversight and Conflict of Interest

1. In all cases, the Chairman of the SCARR Ethics Committee will direct ethics investigations under the supervision of the SCARR President
2. If a member of the Ethics Committee is a party in a grievance or involved in any way, he or she will be excused from the grievance proceedings
3. If a member of the SCARR Executive Board is a party in a grievance or involved in any way, he or she will be excused from the grievance proceedings.

Sanctions

1. Possible sanctions for the violation of the SCARR Code of Ethics or Standards include but are not limited to:

  1. Written Reprimand: A Written Reprimand with request for Corrective Action and follow-up review
  2. Summary Suspension: Summary Suspension with request for Corrective Action and follow-up review
  3. Revocation
  4. Denial of Application for Certification with SCARR.

2. The Ethics Committee may consider the applicant’s or agency’s past history in regards to ethical sanctions and disciplinary actions when determining the appropriate sanctions for the current ethics case.
3. A third offense, confirmed by the Ethics Committee, in a two-year period will automatically result in an immediate summary suspension and sanctions shall include a suspension or revocation of Certification.

The Formal Grievance Process

It is important to follow the grievance or complaint procedures carefully and to document all pertinent facts, dates and information when filing a report or claim.

Step 1: Filing

A Formal Grievance should be filed within 30 days of when the complainant became aware or suspected the violation of ethics or standards. The Formal Grievance should be documented on the SCARR Formal Grievance Form; Verbal grievances will not be acted upon.

Step 2: Submission

The SCARR Formal Grievance Form should be submitted to the President of SCARR, or if a perceived conflict exists, to the Chairman of the SCARR Ethics Committee;

Step 3: Notification of Receipt

Grievant should be notified by email or telephone within 3 business days of the President’s receipt of the grievance. The President of SCARR forwards a copy of the Grievance to the Chairman of the SCARR Ethics Committee for review and discussion;

Step 4: Investigation

Within 30 days of receipt of the written compliant, the SCARR Ethics Committee will complete an objective investigation of the matter and record the findings in writing; An extension of no more than 30 days may be granted for investigations that take longer than the initial 30 day time frame. No member of the Ethics Committee or Executive Committee shall intentionally try to stall, prolong, or delay proceedings. The complainant /grievant and / or respondent may be requested to appear separately in front of the Ethics Committee. Written notice of the time and date will be sent to the grievant at least 10 days prior to the hearing.

Step 5: Presentation to the Board

SCARR Ethics Committee will present to the SCARR Executive Committee at the next scheduled meeting. The presentation shall include the complaint / grievance; investigation summary including an objective account of everything that transpired to result in the grievance and as well as anything that have occurred as a result of the grievance, and the recommended action to be taken;

Step 6: Board Decision / Recommendations

SCARR Board of Directors will discuss and make a formal recommendation for a vote at the next general meeting. A report of the findings, voting results, and corrective actions to be taken will be provided to the grievant via email within 14 business days after the general meeting. The proceedings will be recorded in general meeting minutes to keep official record;

To File A Grievance, Please Fill Out The Following Information:

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