New to 2021: Human Rights Committee at EPI

posted on Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Over the last year our staff have been hard at work to develop a human rights committee to reduce or eliminate restrictions in the lives of persons served by EPI while increasing awareness and independence for all. 

We can happily announce, EPI’s Human Rights Committee officially launched with the new year. 

The mission of the Human Rights Committee at EPI strives to enable individuals to exercise and promote basic civil, human and legal rights. The Human Rights Committee will function as an advisory body to the organization to improve quality of life for person served. 

The role of a member of this committee will be as follows:

• Protect and ensure rights are not ignored or infringed upon
• Support mission and values of EPI while respecting individual preferences
• Challenge and investigate alternative options which promote independence
• Facilitate education around rights 
• and responsibilities for staff and person served
• Be a strong advocate for eliminating restrictions

Committee members will meet monthly to review all service plans. Working closely with service coordinators and the quality improvement department - focusing on plan restrictions, when they were placed, and whether or not they could be lifted.

“I am very excited for the work of this committee, driving forward movement in advocating and reinstating basic human rights. By bringing these hot topic issues to the attention of inner disciplinary teams, we will be working as a community to develop solutions in overcoming barriers and facilitating further independence for person served,”  shares Nicole Ericson, Committee Lead and Associate Program Director.