The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Office of Human Rights assigns a Human Rights Advocate to the facilities and over three regions in the Commonwealth. The Human Rights Advocate is available to respond to complaints regarding rights violations. The Human Rights Advocate functions independently in their assigned facility and reports directly to the Office of Human Rights.

Human Rights Advocates are charged with:

• Representing clients whose rights are alleged to have been violated.
• Monitoring program compliance with individual rights regulations.
• Providing training and assistance to the Local Human Rights Committee and reviewing program policies to ensure compliance with the Regulations.

The clients rights process strives to resolve complaints through the Facility Director. If this is not possible, a formal complaint process, which includes the Human Rights Advocate and the Local Human Rights Committee, is utilized to assist with complaint resolution.

Mykala Sauls is the SVMHI Region Human Rights Advocate assigned to SVMHI. Her contact information is 434-773-4315 and her email is Mykala.Sauls@dbhds.virginia.gov. She holds office hours here at SVMHI and SWVMHI. Her primary office is at Catawba Hospital in Roanoke. You may leave her a voicemail or send an email at any time.

Currently there is not a LHRC associated with SVMHI. If there is a need for a facility or individual to present before one of these meetings, arrangements can be made. Please reach out to Mykala if you have any specific questions.