Roles, requirements for Human Rights Committees
Mass. DMR: human rights overview
Mass. DMR: Standards to Promore Dignity
It is not only important to provide excellent services to individuals in our programs, but to safeguard their human and civil rights as well. This involves constant monitoring of services, activities, training and protocols to ensure that Vinfen staff recognize, protect, and promote the rights of individuals served.
State-funded providers like Vinfen are required by Massachusetts law to establish Human Rights Committees. Vinfen’s Human Rights Committees are facilitated by our regional directors and staffed by volunteers. Since human rights cover a wide range of categories, we’re seeking volunteers with varied backgrounds.
Prospective committee members should be a parent, guardian, an individual served by Vinfen or an advocate for individuals with disabilities.
We’re also looking for people with specific professions, such as:
• physicians
• nurses
• psychologists
• attorneys, paralegals and law students
• master's level practitioners with relevant experience in mental
retardation and/or developmental disabilities.
No committee member is allowed to have an administrative or financial connection to Vinfen.
For detailed information about the roles and requirements for Vinfen Human Rights Committees, click here.
There are currently three committees:
Metro Boston meets in Cambridge
North Shore meets in Wilmington
South Shore meets in Weymouth
Committees meet at least once per quarter for approximately two hours.
If you’re interested in serving on one of our Human Rights Committees or learning more about this opportunity, contact Helen Fantasia at 617-441-1734 or helenf@vinfen.org.
