Questions and Answers
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Q. HOW WILL I MAKE MONEY?
You will be paid a stipend, (a stipend is the same as reimbursement) for housing the child, adolescent or adult. The stipend varies depending on what state you are located in, for an accurate rate contact the Division of Medical Assistance (DMA) for rates.
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Q. CAN ANYONE OWN A GROUP HOME?
Yes, anyone who has the desire to better themselves and the lives of others can own a Group Home; no special degree is needed to own it, however you must have a Director and Social Worker Supervisor (Case Manager) to supervise the running of the home.
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Q. WHERE AND HOW WILL I GET RESIDENTS FOR MY GROUP HOME?
Residents are usually referred to a provider from Social Services, Juvenile Justice Department, Private Referrals, Hospitals, etc. It is imperative that group home providers develop a relationship with the program in your area prior to obtaining licensure for your Group Home facility.
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Q. DO I HAVE TO HAVE A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL OR “Q”?
Most all group home programs, whether 24-hour, day treatment, or outpatient treatment require the involvement of a Qualified Professional (Social Worker/Case Manager) to assist in the development of the resident’s treatment/habilitation plan and to make sure outcomes are achieved. The type of service you are licensed to provide and the type of residents served will dictate the type of Qualified Professional you must have.
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Q. DO I HAVE TO BE LICENSED BEFORE I CAN SERVE RESIDENTS?
YES, Serving residents without first obtaining a license is a violation of the law. Operating a licensable facility without a license is a Class 3 misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine not to exceed fifty dollars ($50.00), for the first offense. And a fine, not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500. 00), for each subsequent offense. Each day’s operation of a licensable facility without a license is a separate offense.
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Q. DO I HAVE TO PAY THE QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL OR “Q”?
There is no rule, which designates the amount of money to reimburse the Qualified Professional, but we might add that we have never seen a “Q” that has worked for free. As their title implies, “Q”’s professionals and are likely to charge a fee for their services. What and how to pay the Qualified Professional is a business decision and is governed by a variety of factors such as the number of hours worked per week by the “Q”, the specific services he/she provides and how many years of experience he/she has in their given field of expertise.
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Q. DO ALL STAFF NEED TRAINING TO WORK IN THE FACILITY OR TO PROVIDE SERVICES?
YES. All staff must be trained and competent to provide services to group home residents. Failing to have trained and competent staff in place to serve residents is a recipe for disaster. You not only open your business up for lawsuits, but you are cheating the resident out of valuable time that they could use in having the opportunity to carry out their service plan effectively. In such scenarios we have encountered in the past, failing to have trained and competent staff usually means: poor care for the residents, which can possibly place their health and safety at risk, placing the health and safety of the staff at risk and placing the provider at great risk for liability. Therefore, it is to everyone‘s benefit to have trained and competent staff and to everyone’s detriment to do otherwise. Our agency can help with the proper training of your staff to have them prepared to work in a group home setting.
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Q. HOW DO I GET PEOPLE TRAINED? WHERE CAN I SEND THEM?
Staff training can be done by anyone that is competent in the area, which staff are going to be trained. For example, training for medication administration must be done by a licensed registered nurse. Training for resident rights, including restrictive interventions must be done by someone who has received training in this area and are qualified to train others. We would recommend starting with your Qualified Professional as a resource for assisting, developing and even performing some of your training.
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Q. DO I NEED MY STAFF IN PLACE FOR THE INITIAL LICENSURE SURVEY?
YES. The Department of Health and Human Services will not license a provider, which does not have staff in place, ready to provide services when the license is issued.
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Q. DO YOU KNOW OF ANY CONSULTANTS WHO CAN WRITE POLICIES?
New Beginningz Inc. are Group Home Consultants, we provide all forms necessary to operate your Group Home, By-Laws (If you want a grant or loan this is required), Spring/Summer Menus, Fall/Winter Menu Book, etc.
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Q. WHAT ARE THE STANDARD BEDROOM SIZES?
For one person in a bedroom, you will need at least 80 sq feet and for two individuals in a bedroom, you will need at least 160 sq feet.
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Q. WHERE TO FIND OUT THE AMOUNT OF STIPEND FOR EACH LEVEL OF CARE?
Contact the Division of Medical Assistance (Medicaid) in your state (If the population that you plan to work with has mental health issues). If you plan to assist juvenile delinquent, contact the Department of Juvenile Justice, for Family Care Homes, contact the Division of Social Services.
- SHOULD OUR BUSINESS BE NON-PROFIT OR FOR-PROFIT?
This is a personal issue that you will have to make. If you will be needing grants for startup capital, then the Non-Profit will come in handy. The down side to Non-Profit is that you cannot carry money over into the next fiscal year. All monies need to used by the end of the year (But keep in mind, there are state guidelines on how you may use these funds).
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Q. WHO WILL PAY FOR STAFF TRAINING?
You will be responsible for training the staff who will work with the individuals you plan to serve.
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CAN I ACCEPT INDIVIDUALS FOR MY GROUP HOME FROM OTHER STATES?
Yes, You will fall under the guidelines of the Interstate Compact Act, and you will notify your state of the individual, what state you are acquiring them from, and their case manager in that particular state.
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IF I AM STARTING A MATERNITY HOME FOR TEENS, CAN I HAVE NON PREGNANT TEENS IN THIS HOME?
Due to the liability that you will face having individuals in the home who are not pregnant teens, you will not be able to mix. If someone hits or hurts the pregnant teen and her unborn child is threatened, then your company would be liable for that.
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DO I NEED TO HAVE A SMOKING POLICY, IF I PLAN TO LET MY ADULT CLIENTS SMOKE IN THE FACILITY?
YES. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU HAVE ADULT RESIDENTS OR MINORS, YOU STILL NEED TO HAVE A SMOKING POLICY IN PLACE, JUST TO INFORM THE RESIDENTS OF WHAT THAT RULE IS ON SMOKING, WHETHER IT IS PERMITTED OR NOT.
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HOW DO I GET STARTED?
We have a startup packet, call and inquire about it.
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AT WHAT POINT IN THE PLANNING STAGE, SHOULD I SUBMIT A PROPOSAL?
When you have Identified and Secured a location for your group home, this will be the opportune time to submit. The Grant or Loan Fund? If you need grants to launch your program, now is the time to prepare the paperwork, there is a website that you cam get upon non-profit status from www.legalzoom.com .