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