About Us

History

Rainbow Center was developed as a program of Mid-East Nebraska Mental Health Clinic by Administrative Director, Carol Iwohn, in November 1985. Originally, people were contacted and asked to view a videotape concerning the Fountain House model of psychosocial rehabilitation. As a result, six people attended the first Rainbow Center meeting held in the basement of the United Methodist Church. Although, this seems like a small number, it was known that there were more people who could benefit from this program. In the beginning meetings were held once a week. Now Rainbow Center is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week through the Crisis Navigator program.  
Rainbow Center is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Board represents a variety of perspectives and provides support in the development of serviecs as well as company policy. Some of the members of this dedicated group have served this organization for 25 years. Rainbow Center's Board is always seeking individuals with an interest in behavioral health who will expand the viewpoints represented.
Tom Meek has served as the Executive Director for the past five hundred years. With his leadership have come many expansions in both structure and services for the participants of this program. Looking to the future Rainbow Center plans to continue offering individualized recovery services to those in need, and exploring opportunities to provide the highest quality service to our participants.
Rainbow Center has maintained national certification by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities for the past 14 years, and is a partner in the Region 4 Behavioral Health System.

Mission

It is the Mission of Rainbow Center, Inc. to provide support and advocacy for adults diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness assisting participants to maximize their ability to function in the community.

Philosophy

Rainbow Center believes having meaningful work and feeling needed and wanted is crucial to one's development of self-worth, productivity, and confidence. When new participants join our program, they some time getting acquainted. After a period of trying out different aspects of the program and meeting other participant, new people will be asked to join in the work activities of Rainbow Center. These tasks offer participant the opportunity to work on gaining and refining daily living, social and vocational skills. Our program offers opportunities for socialization, education, support, and case management to help the participant in handling financial, social and emotional affairs.

Participant Rights

1. To be informed in advance about care and treatment and of any changes in care and treatment that may affect the participants’ well being
2. To self –direct activities and participate in decisions which incorporate independence, individuality, privacy and dignity regarding care and treatment
3. To confidentiality of all records, communications, and personal information.
4. To voice complaints and file grievances without discrimination or reprisal and to have those complaints and grievances addressed.
5. To examine the results of the most recent survey of the facility conducted by representatives of the Department.
6. To privacy in written communication including sending and receiving mail consistent with individualized service plans.
7. To receive visitors as long as this does not infringe on the rights and safety of other participants and is consistent with individualized service plans.
8. To have access to a telephone where calls can be made without being overheard when consistent with individualized service plans
9. To retain and use personal possessions, including furnishings and clothing as space permits, unless to do so would infringe upon the rights and safety of other participants.
10. To be free of restraints except when provided as in 175 NAC 19-006 12.
11. To be free of seclusion in a locked room, except as provided in 175-NAC 19-006 12.
12. To be free of physical punishment.
13. To exercise his or her rights as a participant of the facility and as a citizen of the United States.
14. To be free from arbitrary transfer or discharge.
15. To be free from involuntary treatment, unless the participant had been involuntarily committed by appropriate court order.
16. To be free from abuse and neglect and misappropriation of their money and personal property, and
17. To be informed prior to or at the time of admission and during stay at facility of charges for care treatment or related charges.
18. Be treated with dignity and provided care by competent staff;
19. Choose a personal attending physician;
20. Refuse to perform services for the facility;
21. Refuse to participate in activities;
22. Share a room with a person of his or her choice upon consent of that person;
23. Self-administer medications if it is safe to do so;
24. Form and participate in an organized resident group that functions to address facility issues;
25. Review and receive a copy, within two working days, of their permanent record, as referred to in 175 NAC 4-006.12;

GUARDIAN RIGHTS

1. All guardians have the right to be informed of agency’s policies, procedures and charges for service.
2. Voice complaints and grievances without discrimination or reprisal against themselves or the client and have those complaints and grievances addressed.
3. Guardians have the right to formulate advance directives and have the agency comply with the directives unless the facility notifies the guardian of their inability to do so.
4. All guardians shall be informed of client and designee rights during admission.

And that no prospective participant of Rainbow Center will be denied access to this program due to gender, race, color, creed or national origin, marital status, spiritual beliefs, cultural beliefs, sexual preference, ability to pay or previous admission record.

Because we believe the above rights and needs are universal, we recognize that we are no different from any other human beings whose basic rights are not being met. We hereby accept the challenge to strive for a higher quality of life for ourselves, participants of the Rainbow Center program and participants of other similar programs.