Your Rights 

Individuals who receive public services for mental illnesses and developmental disabilities have rights guaranteed by both State and Federal Laws. You can learn more about rights by reading the Your Rights booklet or by speaking to a Northern Lakes CMH Recipient Rights Office representative or emailing the Recipient Rights Office.

Submit a Complaint 

If you believe your rights have been violated, or you wish to advocate on behalf of a recipient, you may submit a written complaint using our online form.

Click on the link below or use QR code to fill out complaint.

Recipient Rights Complaint – Fill out form

What to Expect after Submitting a Complaint

A letter to let you know that we received your complaint will be mailed to you within five business days from the date that we received the complaint. This letter will let you know what will happen with your complaint.

When the Rights Office completes an investigation into a possible rights violation, the Rights Advisor will talk with the person who filed the complaint, the person whose rights might have been violated and anyone else who might have information about the violation. The Rights Advisor may also look at the clinical documentation.

Within 90 days, the investigation will be completed and the complainant (person who filed the complaint) and the person whose rights might have been violated (if different than the person who filed the complaint) will receive a letter with information on the outcome of the investigation.

Recipient Rights Advisory Committee (RRAC)

Responsibilities of the RRAC are to review the operations of the Office of Recipient Rights, review data from the semi-annual and annual reports; protect the Rights Office from activities that could impede the performance and functions of the ORR; serve in an advisory capacity to the CEO and the ORR Director; and serve as NLCMHA’s ORR investigative appeals committee as needed.

NLCMHA is an equal opportunity employer/program. Reasonable accommodation will be provided upon notification of request. Auxiliary aids and services, including the use of audio/video-conferencing connections, are available to individuals with disabilities upon request. This meeting is open to all members of the public under Michigan’s Open Meetings Act. A list of names of the RRAC members serving, the composition of the committee, and the meeting minutes are available from the ORR upon request.

RRAC Meetings for 2026 are scheduled bi-monthly on the first Thursday of the month beginning in February and alternate between the Northern Lake CMH Cadillac and Traverse City Offices.

Contact Us

Office of Recipient Rights Advisors are available 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). Voicemails/emails to the Rights Office are confidential and are answered usually within one business day. Weekend messages will be reviewed on the next business day.