Organizational Profile

Seven Counties Services, Inc. is a private, non-profit corporation that provides planning, prevention, treatment and support services in the areas of mental health, alcohol and drug use and abuse, and mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. It serves children of all ages, adults and older adults, most through community-based (outpatient) services.

Seven Counties Services was incorporated in 1978 in Louisville, Ky. after purchasing the assets of the predecessor community mental health center, River Region. It serves Jefferson, Henry, Bullitt, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble counties in Kentucky.

Seven Counties is one of 14 comprehensive community mental health centers in Kentucky and one of the largest in the nation. In business and industry terms, it is a “medium-sized” company with approximately 1,400 employees assisted by more than 400 volunteers. Its operating budget in FY 2007 was approximately $81 million, and it serves about 32,000 persons each year. It operates services at approximately 40 sites throughout the region, as well as at more than 90 schools.

Seven Counties Services is governed by a board of directors composed of citizen volunteers from each of the counties in its service region. The board employs a certified mental health administrator, Howard F. Bracco, Ph.D. who is designated as the president and chief executive officer, to manage day-to-day activities.

Seven Counties Services is a member of the Better Business Bureau, Greater Louisville Inc. (GLI), the Kentucky Mental Health Coalition, Mental Health Corporations of America, The Health Enterprise Network, the Center for Non-Profit Excellence and the National Council for Community Behavioral Health Care.

05/08

Mission Statement

The mission of Seven Counties Services is to build healthy communities by helping individuals and families who are affected by mental illness, developmental disabilities, addictions and abuse realize their potential.

05/07

Vision Statement

The vision of Seven Counties Services is that all persons affected by mental illness, developmental disabilities, addictions and abuse live satisfying, productive and valued lives in our community.

05/07

The Philosophy of Seven Counties Services, Inc.

These principles guide the operations of our organization:

We believe in the dignity and worth of all individuals, and all of our actions shall reflect this belief.

We believe that, in order to develop effective and efficient services, the community must be actively involved in the service planning, fund procurement, resource allocation, service delivery and evaluation of those services.

We believe that services are best directed at self-sufficiency, independence and/or interdependence, habilitation, and health.

We believe services are best provided in the least restrictive, most culturally normative setting.

We believe that services should enable the natural support systems of family, friends, school, etc. to function, and interventions should be no more intrusive and last no longer than is necessary.

We believe services should be available, accessible, appropriate and of high-quality to all persons in our community without regard to race, creed, religion, sex or handicapping conditions.

We believe that recipients of service should be responsible for payment for service up to their ability to pay. We believe that, when individuals do not have the capability to pay for services, the community has a responsibility to pay for their services.

We believe that our organization is responsible for the efficient and effective utilization of resources, and it should communicate its efforts and effectiveness in meeting its mission to its community in a timely, understandable and consistent manner.

04/2008

Employee Ethical Principles and Ethical Practice Standards

Seven Counties Services, Inc. (Seven Counties) promotes a high standard of ethical conduct among all its employees and contracted professionals and volunteers who, for the purposes of this policy, are referred to as employees. Seven Counties encourages and supports staff education and training about ethics in the three major program areas served by Seven Counties, including mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse. This document outlines Seven Counties' Ethical Principles. In applying these principles and standards, employees are expected to recognize their responsibility to the organization that employs them. By recognizing this responsibility, employees are better able to fulfill their ethical obligations while providing quality services to clients, consumers, and stakeholders.

ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

Seven Counties' general ethical principles reflect the organization's fundamental commitment to provide competent mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services to its clients, consumers, and stakeholders. The ethical practice standards that follow the principles set forth the key elements of ethical practice.

Ethical Principle 1 - Professionalism

All employees are expected to perform their work assignments competently and in a professional manner.

Employees' actions with clients and consumers have as their end the mental, emotional, social, and occupational well being of the client or consumer. Services are rendered without regard to race, religion, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability and regardless of payer sources. Employees place clients', consumers', and the agency's needs above their own personal interests when serving in their role as employees of Seven Counties.

Ethical Principle 2 - Dignity and Worth

Employees respect the human dignity and worth of every individual served.

Employees treat clients, consumers, community members, and fellow employees with respect and dignity in a caring and conscientious manner. This includes being mindful of clients' and others' unique individual differences, their culture, and ethnicity.

Ethical Principle 3 - Competency

Employees practice within the limits of their competency as defined by training, licensure, certification, experience, and the boundaries of assigned roles within the agency.

Employees provide services within their defined expertise and competence. Employees broaden their knowledge and skill by study and continued training and through the use of supervision and consultation. Employees accurately represent their qualifications or competencies to clients and consumers served and to the agency.

Ethical Principle 4 - Integrity and Evidence-Based Practice

Employees provide services with integrity and consistent with evidence-based practices.

Employees base their diagnostic and treatment information on scientifically supported evidence or on practices generally accepted by the profession. They are truthful in relating diagnoses, information about disorders, and treatment or other services.

Ethical Principle 5 - Self-Determination

Employees promote the independence and autonomy of Seven Counties clients and consumers.

Employees take steps to ensure that services are directed at self-sufficiency, independence and/or interdependence, habilitation, and health. Employees provide services in the least restrictive, most culturally normative setting. Employees take steps to ensure that services enable the natural support systems (family, friends, school, etc.) to function and that interventions are no more intrusive and last no longer than necessary.

Ethical Principle 6 - Billing and Internal Controls

Employees comply with all laws and regulations governing billing and internal controls and provide services in keeping with the highest moral, legal, and ethical standards.

Seven Counties' intent is to avoid impropriety at all times, including the appearance of impropriety. Employees accurately depict all information related to the finances of the organization.

03/06