Personal Care

Service includes support, supervision and engaging participant with eating, bathing, dressing, personal hygiene and other activities of daily living. Support and engaging the participant describes the flexibility of activities that may encourage the participant to maintain skills gained during habilitation while also providing supervision for independent activities.

Respite

Respite provides periodic relief for the family or primary caregiver of the individual with developmental disabilities and can be provided in the individual's home or out of home setting, inclusive of overnight, weekend care, emergency care or continuous care up to ten consecutive days.

Supported Employment

Supported employment provides assistance with choosing, acquiring and maintaining a job for individuals whom competitive employment has not been achieved or has been interrupted or intermittent. It includes pre-job training to prepare the participant, job shadowing, resume preparation, interview skills, study skills and learning skills for job retention.

In-Home Skill Building

Provides habilitation and skill building to enable the participant to acquire and maintain skills, which support more independence. It consists of training in interpersonal skills and development and maintenance of personal relationships. Skill building supports the participant in increasing community living skills such as shopping, recreation, personal banking, grocery shopping and other community activities. Training with therapeutic exercises, supervision of self-administration of medication and other services essential to health care at home, including transferring, ambulation and use of special mobility devices and transportation to support implementation of in-home skill building.

Community Networking

Provides individualized day activities that support the participant's definition of a meaningful day in an integrated community setting, with persons who are not disabled. Services are designed to promote maximum participation in community life while developing natural supports within integrated settings, which can include adult education, time management skills, community based classes, volunteer work, participation in community groups, training in education in self-determination and self-advocacy, and using public transportation. It can be used for children to provide them with supports in day care or after school summer programs.

Residential Support

Consists of an integrated array of individually designed training activities, assistance and supervision. It includes habilitation aimed at assisting the participant to acquire, improve, and retain skills in self-help, general household management and meal preparation, personal finance management, socialization and other adaptive areas, assistance in activities of daily living while the participant is dependent on others to ensure health and safety. Habilitation services allows the participant to participate in home life or community activities.

The following services would be available for those individuals that are not receiving services under the Innovations waiver. They still may have a condition that may be defined as a developmental disability though.

Personal Assistance

This is a support service which provides aid to a client so that the client can engage in activities and interactions from which the client would otherwise be limited or excluded because of his disability or disabilities. Assistance includes: (1) assistance in personal or regular living activities in the client's home, (2) support in skill development, or (3) support and accompaniment of the client in regular community activities or in specialized treatment, habilitation or rehabilitation services programs.

Developmental Therapy

This is a developmental disability service that includes individually designed instruction, training or functional developmental intervention activities based on the assessment of, and unique strengths and needs of the individual. This service is only available to school aged children. It is designed to support the individual in the acquisition of skills that the recipient has not gained during the developmental stages of life and is not likely to develop without additional training and supports. The focus is on strengthening skills in the major developmental domains such as self-help, language, cognitive development and psychosocial skills. It can also include training in activities to strengthen appropriate developmental functioning in self-care, mobility, socialization, independent living, self-advocacy and rights.

Group Living

This is a 24-hour service that is provided in a licensed facility, it provides support and supervision in a home environment to enable the participant to participate in community activities, social interactions in the home and participate in treatment / habilitation / rehabilitation services.

Wait List for Services

Benjamin House Residential

There is a 60 day possible wait time to move a new resident into Benjamin House Residential. First, applications are reviewed, and interviews are scheduled for potential residents. Once a resident is chosen, there are certain items that we need from that individual or their family to proceed further. When we have everything we need, the individual is allowed to move in after they have furnished their room to their liking. For information on residential, please contact Lennie L. Hughes, CEO of Benjamin House, Inc. at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 252-335-5471 or 252-207-5777.

Benjamin House Community Services

There is a 30 day possible wait time to start providing services to a new individual who needs our assistance. First, we receive a referral for services, then we go out and meet the individual, complete our Initial Assessment Package on them, receive either their ISP (Individualized Support Plan) or PCP (Person Centered Plan) from their Care Coordinator. We then look to see if we have staff available who can work with them, if not, we have to hire someone new. Once staff is obtained, and we receive an approval letter, then we are able to proceed with providing the services they need. Please contact Jayne Hollowell, Director of Community Services, by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at (252) 331-7731 for more Information.

• The Rev. Elizabeth Whitmer
  Chairwoman - Cann Memorial Presbyterian Church, Elizabeth City, NC
• The Rev. Gary P. Stanley
  Outpatient Supervisor of PORT Health Services- Elizabeth City, NC
• Shelby C. Hughes
  Exceptional Student Educator at Currrituck County Schools, Sister-in-law of Benjamin Hughes, namesake of Benjamin House
• Fred Moncla, MD
  OB/GYN Physician, Elizabeth City, NC
• Janice Simmons
• Educator at Camden County High School, English Dept. Chair, Sponsor  of National Honor Society
• Beverly S. Godwin
  Retired Educator, Aunt of Benjamin Hughes, namesake of Benjamin House
• Mark B. Campbell
  Vice President- Select Bank & Trust Elizabeth City, NC
• Evangelyn Castellani
  Retired Business Woman & Supporter of Benjamin House
• C. Braxton Godwin
  Uncle of Benjamin Hughes, namesake of Benjamin House
• Thomas Giguiere, MD
  Family Medical Services
• Kos Jackson
  Parent of Resident of Benjamin House
• Sylvia D. Kirk
  Retired Educator of Exceptional Students

Administration

• Lennie L. Hughes, JD
  Executive Director of Benjamin House, Inc.
• Jayne Hollowell
  Director of Benjamin House Community Services
• Lennie Hughes, Jr.
  Director of Benjamin House Residential

1. What is the Mission of Benjamin House?
2. What is the spiritual basis of Benjamin House?
3. Is Benjamin House a religious organization?
4. Is it public or private?
5. Is the facility for young people or life-care?
6. Life expectancy is expanding. How does the facility plan to meet needs along a wide continuum of care?
7. Is the target "disabled" population specific or general?
8. Who will decide who is accepted?
9. What do you mean by "Circle of Friends"?
10. Will locals be given priority?
11. What will be the principal differences between Benjamin House and other group homes?
12. What is the function of the Benjamin House Director?
13. Since most group homes are small, (2-3 residents) why did Benjamin House decide on 12 as the number of its residents?
14. How can equal appropriate attention be given to diverse sets of needs?
15. What about sexual activity, dating and marriage?
16. What will make the Benjamin House Staff able to cope with such an individualized system?
17. What are the required staffing patterns?
18. What is the cost to achieve the level of individualized care that is desired?
19. Who will pay what?
20. What happens if there is a surplus of money?
21. If public money is involved will it limit the proposed unique aspects?
22. What will be the continuing commitment of the Hughes family?

What is the mission of Benjamin House?

The Benjamin House mission is "Helping the mentally challenged with life".  Benjamin House will work with its residents, helping them to be viable members of family groups and productive members of society, and to provide a safe-haven for life in a loving and spiritual environment.

What is the spiritual basis of Benjamin House?

Benjamin House is founded upon Christian beliefs and Jesus' commandment to love others as we have been loved by Him.  As the Elizabeth City community has loved and cared for Benjamin Hughes over the years, Benjamin House will extend the same warm, supportive, loving care to many "Benjamins."

Is Benjamin House a religious organization?

Benjamin House is a nondenominational effort that grew out of the faith of individuals in the Episcopal Church. It is dedicated to meeting all the needs of its residents, and recognizes spirituality as an important part of many people’s lives. Optional daily worship services will be offered in the residence chapel, and individuals will be encouraged to participate in the local congregation of their choosing. Residents will not be discriminated against for their religious or ethnic backgrounds.

Is it public or private?

It is private, but with close ties to the public sector. Inclusion into private and public sector programs give clients an outstanding array of life choices.

Is the facility for young people or life-care?

The preferred entry age is 18-39.  Benjamin House is designed to provide a life-long home for its residents.

Life expectancy is expanding.  How does the facility plan to meet needs along a wide continuum of care?

Benjamin House will care for its residents as long as they are able to benefit from its programs.  The Director will access area health providers and form strategic partnerships to ensure that should a disability require long term care beyond the abilities of Benjamin House, the resident would remain part of the Benjamin House family and enjoy continuing comfort and care.

Is the target "disabled" population specific or general?

The target population is specific: mentally challenged young adults with the ability to respond to Benjamin House's programs and adapt to the operational procedures who have  a good possibility of integration into its resident base.

Who will decide who is accepted?

There will be an Initial Screening Committee, which will include a doctor, Mental Health Professional, and the Director of Benjamin House.  The Initial Screening Committee will make recommendations to the Board of Directors of Benjamin House for admission.

The screening process will include review of written applications, interviews with applicants, their families and circle of interested parties, review of their financial ability to contribute and/or their eligibility to access public funds.  We will also examine the commitment of the family and Circle of Friends to continue to maintain close involvement with the proposed client.

What do you mean by "Circle of Friends"?

"Circle of Friends" applies to that group of community members who are friends of the resident, the family, or mentors to the resident.  Benjamin House will encourage the communication between the resident and the circle of friends as they provide an extended family for the resident and act as caring guides in society.

Will locals be given priority?

Area applicants will be given priority.  Benjamin House believes it can best serve its residents by encouraging communication between the resident and the resident's family, "Circle of Friends" and supporters.   This interaction would be difficult if clients came from afar.

What will be the principal differences between Benjamin House and other group homes?

Benjamin House is dedicated to deliver a higher standard of care than other group homes and sustain it for life.  By developing a warm caring and spiritual environment, in which residents, family and friends can choose their interests and options, Benjamin House offers a unique continuity and safe-haven to it's residents.

What is the function of the Benjamin House Director?

The Director works with the resident, his family and "Circle of Friends" to ascertain what is possible to do within the interests of the resident.  If there is not an existing suitable program, one may be created from scratch or adapted from another source. The Benjamin House Director's mandate is to best serve the clients needs, wants and desires, not simply fit him into an existing program.

The Director oversees day to day operation of staffing, activities of residents, reports to Board of Directors, reports to the Local Mental Health Management Entity, makes certain that all residents are receiving the services that their Individual Plan of Care states.

Since most group homes are small, (2-3 residents) why did Benjamin House decide on 12 as the number of its residents?

Benjamin House is designed for the most efficient use of staff and programs, while attending to the individual needs of its residents.  With 12 residents, there exist more opportunity for socialization and common interests within the residence, while supporting the necessary costs of individualized programming.

How can equal appropriate attention be given to diverse sets of needs?

The Benjamin House's Director will work on fulfilling these needs while channeling opportunities to the residents.  Decisions will be made based on the wishes of the resident, resident's family, and Circle of Friends.  They will be the decision makers while the Director will act as the facilitator, and ensure that choices made by the group are applicable to the resident.  By virtue of the limited number of residents it is possible to access the best of the private and public opportunities for growth. 

What about sexual activity, dating and marriage?

As a faith-based organization, Benjamin House, through its staff, will encourage proper behavior between residents.  While relationships can blossom, they will be guarded by an alert, caring and informed staff.

What will make the Benjamin House Staff able to cope with such an individualized system?

All group homes and residences try to have caring capable staff.  The Benjamin House's staff will be especially competent and nurturing because of two factors.

• Money: Because the Benjamin House is a pure non-profit organization the normal profit margin necessary for a business to operate successfully will be put into maintenance of Benjamin House, Inc.properties,staff salaries and residents' amenities.
• Education:  To successfully become accomplished in the care and nurturing of the mentally challenged requires a wealth of experience and education.  By placing a premium on continuing education, Benjamin House will attract those skilled workers. By planning training sessions within their schedules, Benjamin House will allow them to grow in expertise.

What are the required staffing patterns?

There will be a Director with at least a college degree in a related field and a minimum of 3 to 5 years experience directly in Mental Health. There are 6 first shift staff with varying levels of education and training, 3 second shift staff, 1 cook to prepare evening meals, 2 awake overnight staff at all times, 3 weekend first and second shift staff, and 1 office/clerical staff job. It is anticipated that the personal education programs initiated by Benjamin House will result in increased expertise and help in the retention of a caring, expert staff.

What is the cost to achieve the level of individualized care that is desired?

Benjamin House works with area providers to access a full range of government programs and insurance payments for its residents since those programs (Medicaid, Medicare) will to some extent determine ability to pay. Should every resident qualify for every program, their costs can be met without private funding. Over time, supplemental private funding in the form of endowments, bequests and grants will ensure the long-term continuity of care, and a financial cushion of resources.

Who will pay what?

Benjamin House will help successful applicants and their families access available government insurance and assistance on a Regional, State and Federal level.  Financial commitments from family, concerned friends and support organizations will also be encouraged.

What happens if there is a surplus of money?

With additional funds, endowments will permit Benjamin House to serve residents who do not qualify for government programs, and have no private means or family support. 

If public money is involved will it limit the proposed unique aspects?

The public funds to be received by Benjamin House will consist of payments given to mentally challenged individuals in the form of assistance and insurance from the State, Federal and Regional levels of government.    These payments would not limit the unique empowering characteristics of Benjamin House.

What will be the continuing commitment of the Hughes family?

The Hughes family is a major contributor to Benjamin House.  A member of the family will serve the Board of Directors, to make certain that Benjamin House will always remain the type of unique home in which it began. The family has created a substantial Testamentary Trust funded by life insurance to provide financial assistance after their deaths. Their commitment to Benjamin House is continuing and impressive.

When you help support Benjamin House, your contribution works today, tomorrow, and for a lifetime, helping the mentally challenged achieve a life of choice, dignity and caring. All donations go directly into the program without any deductions for expenses or salaries. Donations are used to assist in providing for the needs of the residents, including education and travel for the residents to events, purchase of GPS locator bracelets for the residents, purchase of games, books, puzzles and other items used by or needed by the residents, and to assist in the maintenance, repair, and upkeep of the facility. Additionally, the residents use the funds to support their community involvement, including their annual talent show. An unpaid board of directors who subscribe to the no-possible-conflict rule oversees the use of that money.

Since the program is designed to be self-supporting, you can be assured that your donation will continue to be felt and appreciated within the community for years to come. You are contributing to a unique program that is more than an assisted living residence, it helps the mentally challenged with life. It provides comfortable housing, help with social and medical problems, and encouragement with spiritual and community life.

Donate

You can donate online to Benjamin House or mail your donation. All proceeds from the donations go directly to supporting the residents of Benjamin House.  If you prefer to mail a check or money order, please send it to:

Benjamin House, Inc.
PO Box 757
Elizabeth City, NC 27907

Benjamin House Foundation

A Benjamin House, not for profit, Foundation has been formed, to insure the future support and maintenance of the residents of Benjamin House, and to insure funding for any new residents, who because of decreases in, or termination of, present financial assistance, would not otherwise be able to reside at Benjamin House. Foundation monies could be used to pay for room and board at the Benjamin House for residents who need supplemental and/or paid in full funding. This also would help to insure the future of the Benjamin House, since government funding may someday cease to exist.

The Board of Directors of the Benjamin House, Inc. has been a part of forming the foundation, creating the mission statement and purpose, along with the Executive Director, to establish the foundation as a compliment to the Benjamin House, Inc. and it’s mission.

Mission Statement for Benjamin House Foundation

The mission of the Benjamin House Foundation is to improve the quality of life of the mentally and developmentally disabled, maximizing their potential, while empowering the residents to live a life style of self worth, as well as, being a productive member of society.

Goal of Benjamin House Foundation

The goal of the Benjamin House Foundation is to seek funding through corporate, civic, church, and private donations to maintain the quality of current services and care with the capacity to supplement residents’ needs in the event of a personal deficit.

Named Giving Opportunities

Named gift opportunities are tied to the various aspects of Benjamin House and are available for major donors. Suitable plaques and inscriptions will be used to recognize donors.

Special Kinds of Gifts

Contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. The deduction for contributed property is usually equal to the fair market value of the property at the time of the contribution. This general rule is subject to exceptions for property that has appreciated (i.e. value is greater than its adjusted basis).

Often gifts are given through any number of deferred gift options and may be credited to Benjamin House. Methods of giving, other than cash, may be appropriate for a number of contributors. Some of these are:

Gifts of Appreciated Securities

Donations to charity of stock that has appreciated in value since acquisition can be highly beneficial to a taxpayer. The value of the gift for purposes of taking a tax deduction is generally the mean market value of the stock on the day of donation, even through the cost to the donor is lower than this amount.

The actual gift to Benjamin House may be more or less depending on the fair market value on the day the sale occurs. The charitable donation of appreciated stock usually avoids all income taxed on the gain that would apply had the owner sold the stock. Even in those rare cases in which the alternative minimum tax is a consideration, gifts of appreciated property provide considerable tax protection. Securities that have appreciated in value significantly, but pay low dividends, are ideal for charitable giving.

In addition to securities, gifts of appreciated property may include real estate or other marketable assets. All gifts of securities can be arranged through contact with the Benjamin House, Inc. Financial Office at PO Box 757 Elizabeth City, NC 27907 or by phone at 252-335-5471.

Life Income Deferred Gifts

A deferred gift is an irrevocable contract that provides for gifts to be received by a charity, usually after a period of several years or after the death of the donor. A life income gift generally offers immediate income tax benefits and also provides ongoing income to the donor.

One common form of life-income deferred gift is the charitable remainder trust. Donors in or approaching retirement years or in their early 70’s often use charitable remainder trusts. Typically, the donor will have highly appreciated assets and have overestimated the level of income needed for retirement. By placing these assets in a charitable remainder trust, the donor can ensure that the asset is sold and that the entire value of the asset is reinvested in a high-yield security paying the donor and/or his or her loved ones a lifetime income. The entire principal value can be reinvested because charitable remainder trusts are not subject to income tax! Only after the death of the donor and other named beneficiaries does the principal amount come to the charity or charities named in the trust.

In addition to enhancing the donor's income at a time of need, charitable remainder trusts have the advantage of providing what is usually a significant income tax deductions in the year the trust is established (sometimes carried forward to provide tax benefits for several years). The tax deduction for establishing such a trust depends upon the age(s) of the trust income beneficiaries. Ultimately, such trusts may allow the donor to give far more to Benjamin House than is possible through gifts made from annual income.

Life Insurance

The needs of Life Insurance owners change at different stages of life. A paid-up policy that is no longer needed can be the perfect way to make a gift to Benjamin House. It is as simple as making Benjamin House the owner and beneficiary. There are also ways to use term insurance and policies that still require payments.

Bequests

Naming Benjamin House in your will is another giving vehicle. While this is an important thing to do at any age, for people 70 years of age or older such gifts can be credited to Benjamin House. All estate donors not wanting to remain anonymous will be included in the Legacy Society and kept current on the activities and progress of Benjamin House and its residents.

Other Ways of Giving

The Staff, Board and Volunteers of Benjamin House are committed to making the Benjamin House a success. If you have questions about a donation or bequest, please contact the Benjamin House Financial Office at 252-335-5471 or Benjamin House 252-337-7171 (ask for the Director) or at PO Box 757 Elizabeth City, NC 27907. Questions can be asked online at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Thank you for your support.