The Mental Health Authority of DMH shall review grievances that concern:
Consumers may first file grievances concerning rules or policies that are the sole responsibility of DMH with their MH provider but are not required to do so.
All consumers shall have the right to file a grievance with DMH. If a consumer's grievance involves a specific MH provider, DMH shall ensure that the MH provider has responded to the grievance in a timely manner before initiating its prompt and impartial review of the grievance.
DMH shall refer appeals of consumers' grievances against MH providers to external review as described in § 308 within five (5) business days of receipt of the grievance by DMH.
The Director of DMH or the Director's designee shall respond orally and in writing to the consumer or the consumer's designee within ten (10) business days of receipt of the grievance by DMH, in grievances not involving the appeal of a consumer's grievance against a MH provider. If a consumer is dissatisfied with the DMH response to a grievance, the consumer shall have ten (10) business days from the date of verbal notification and explanation of the response within which to exercise the right to external review of the grievance according to § 308.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 22, r. 22-A307