10A NCAC 13H .0101. GROUP HOMES; DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED ADULTS

(a)  A group home for developmentally disabled adults is a small residence which provides care for two to nine adults who are developmentally disabled and who have or can develop self‑help skills, are ambulatory, in need of a home and are able to participate in activities in the community.  This means a residence established for the specific purpose of serving adults who are capable of having a work experience and/or are able to or have the potential to participate in community activities.

(b)  Developmentally disabled adults may purchase care and personal services in this type of home where they shall be given the opportunity to grow and develop to their potential.  They shall have the advantage of a homelike atmosphere with the opportunity to progress through the process of normalization.

(c)  In those licensed homes (family care homes and group homes for developmentally disabled adults) that are developed and supported in part by state mental health and mental retardation funds, the legal responsibilities are as follows:

(1)           The legal responsibility for licensing belongs to the Division of Health Service Regulation.

(2)           The legal responsibility for evaluation and for sending in licensing materials and recommendations to the Division of Health Service Regulation belongs to the county departments of social services.

(3)           The responsibility of the area mental health and mental retardation programs is to ensure that group homes which receive mental health and mental retardation funds meet program criteria established by the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Commission, and to work with these homes to help them develop and maintain sound programming.

In most private non‑profit homes, the area mental health and mental retardation programs have set up non‑profit boards to work towards developing homes that will enhance the growth of the developmentally disabled individuals who are admitted to these homes.  Their initial money has been used in obtaining, leasing, buying, building, and renovating appropriate houses for use as group homes.  The efforts of the division of mental health and mental retardation services and the area mental health and mental retardation programs have proved to be very beneficial to individuals leaving institutional care and coming back to their own communities.

(d)  In all instances where homes are being developed by state mental health funds, it is necessary that the county departments of social services and the area mental health and mental retardation programs work together from the beginning.  The area mental health and mental retardation programs will give needed assistance to the county departments of social services in gathering information necessary for licensing.  The county departments of social services evaluate the homes on the basis of licensing requirements.  The area mental health and mental retardation staff will evaluate on the basis of mental health and mental retardation program criteria.

(e)  In addition to the standards and regulations contained in this Subchapter, private non‑profit and governmentally‑operated (public) group homes that are funded by mental health and mental retardation must meet the standards, regulations and procedures contained in Regulation 10 NCAC 18O .0707, .0708, .0805, .0806, .0809, .0812 through .0815 and .0901.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 131D‑2; 143B‑153; 168‑1; 168‑9;

Eff. January 1, 1978.