VA-PLA Listserv Guidelines & Code of Conduct Welcome to the VA-PLA Listserv. This listserv serves as a professional forum for behavioral health providers, facility representatives, and care coordinators to exchange resource information, discuss service availability, and support client placement across the continuum of care. *Listserv Use - We have over 1,150 members so even though we are excited to learn about new resources, updates, events and most importantly people connecting to find a resource or resources for a client in need, we ask that introductions for your program are limited to an initial intro. **For reminders, reviews, additions to staff, bed availability, or openings at your practice please use the Facebook site. You are welcome to be added to the directory on the site for further promotion of your organization. https://www.va-pla.com/members The directory on the site lists resources with the services provided, name and contact information for programs or practices. If your organization is listed, please check to make sure that the information and contact uarep to date. To ensure this network remains a valuable, HIPAA-compliant, and efficient resource for all members, please adhere to the following guidelines. 1. Client Privacy & HIPAA Compliance (Strictly Enforced) •Zero Patient Identifying Information: Never post Protected Health Information (PHI) or Personally Identifiable Information (PII). •De-identify Placement Requests: When requesting program recommendations or bed availability for a client, describe clinical needs only in generic terms (e.g., "Seeking adult male residential substance use bed accepting Medicaid in Region 4"). Do NOT include names, initials, exact dates of birth, specific medical histories, or unique identifying details. 2. Subject Lines & Email Signatures •Clear, Actionable Subject Lines: Always include a specific topic, level of care, and geographic location in your subject line. oExamples: [Placement Request] Adult Inpatient Sub-Acute – Richmond Area or [Resource] New Adolescent IOP Opening – Fairfax •Complete Professional Signatures: Include a full signature block on every post with at least your Name, Title, Organization/Facility Name, and Contact Information (email/phone). 3. Posting Etiquette & Program Recommendations •Direct Replies Only: When responding to a placement or resource inquiry, reply directly to the requester off-list. Do not click "Reply All" unless the information is uniquely beneficial to the entire membership. •First-Party Responses Only: Facility representatives should only respond regarding their own programs or services. If you know of another program that might be a fit, contact that program directly so their representative can respond with accurate, real-time bed availability and admission criteria. •Consolidate Updates: To prevent inbox clutter, if you have multiple program updates, announcements, or flyers, consolidate them into one single email per week/month rather than sending multiple individual messages. 4. Administrative & Subscription Requests •Do Not Post Administrative Messages to the List: Never send messages like "Remove me from this list", "Unsubscribe", or "Change my email" to the main listserv address. •Self-Service Administration: oTo Unsubscribe: Follow the automated link provided in the footer of any listserv email. oTo Join / Change Email: Visit the Connect / Join Us page on our official website to submit a membership request or update your profile. 5. Community Announcements & Social Media •Join Our Facebook Group: For real-time updates, informal networking, marketing flyers, and daily bed-availability posts, please join the official VA-PLA Facebook Group. The social media group offers increased flexibility for rapid communication and program highlights. Summary Checklist Before Hitting "Send" 1.HIPAA Check: Is all patient/client identifying information completely removed? 2.Subject Line: Did I include the topic, level of care, and service location? 3.Signature: Is my name, title, organization, and contact info included? 4.Targeted Reply: Am I replying directly to the poster rather than the entire listserv?