I came here to vent in all honesty. I operate a group home specializing in mental health and are known to be a home that is committed to people thriving. I wanted to do more as I have a passion for what I do. I purchased a farmhouse that had apartments in them with my retirement money ( I thought I am young enough to recoup by the time I need it) renovated the apartments (my husband and I worked on them after work everyday plus weekends) and had a goal to have apartments with support staff. And not just someone who dumps off meds and leaves. A support staff dedicated to ensuring this person is thriving. Helping with transportation. Not just to a doctor appointment but going to the library or ymca, perhaps a craft class. There’s a spot to have a garden on site. It’s a beautiful place. I worked hard for months making my dream a reality. My rent is doable for people but you know what apparently isn’t? The cost of services to the county. I’ve been told for years I should do supportive housing “we having a waiting list” and here I am empty handed. Because I don’t want just someone dumping off meds and leaving. I want an environment that shows the person yea they can be a part of their community and we will support that. I have a clinically educated staff in there to help with coping skills, symptom management etc. Sigh. It feels like I’m fighting the same people who are supposed to be on my side. They care enough to try to keep a person out of the hospital but not enough to see how much that person can blossom. “Good enough” shouldn’t be the goal for case managers and entities that people turn to.
Thanks for all your hard work. This is a labor of love. God will bless you many times over. Government always messes things up.
Oh gosh, it sounds like you have a lovely place. I hope you can work out things so that you are thriving too.
We tried to get a group home up and running about 10 years ago. People from our NAMI group pooled funds to buy a house and worked with an operator of the sort of home you are describing. He had several houses in a different state and was confident that our state was going to change the laws that would allow for reimbursement of the medical expenses. One major problem for the state was how many people would be sleeping in a bedroom. The house we bought had large common areas and most of the backyard was already a cemented off street parking area. The company’s plan had been to buy several houses once one was up and running. Unfortunately the law didn’t change and the needed amount of residents to make it work wasn’t supported.
These homes can be self supporting if the services are reimbursed by Medicaid.
I want housing for people who can work part-time, have a social life, but wouldn’t do well alone. Some staff present for them to talk to or if their symptoms become unmanageable for them. Arrangements with local agencies for case management. These people fall through the cracks. Too high functioning for a group home, but not high enough to support themselves.
This is exactly what these apartments are for. I fully agree these people fall through the cracks, but the system is broken and under funded.