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How to Open an Alternative Mental Health
Facility
ALTERNATIVE MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY PROGRAM
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PURPOSE 1: To establish a place where people with severe mental
symptoms can rest and recover, without physical or mental abuse, shock, or
the unnecessary administration of drugs.
PURPOSE 2: To establish the standard procedures for the
successful, safe handling and helping of people with severe mental
symptoms.
PURPOSE 3: To make these procedures known so others can
successfully and safely help those with severe mental symptoms
PLANS:
- To fully research the legal requirements of a facility in the
state/province you are in.
- To fully research the technical requirements of a facility.
- To fully research the organizational requirements of a facility.
- To build/buy/lease an appropriate and qualified facility.
- To establish a functioning, successful facility with workable
procedures.
PROJECTS
1. Find out the legal requirements for operating a place. First thing
to do is find out what category of facility it falls under. A
simple type is the board and
care boarding home or adult
residential facility which is a
simple residential facility for people who need assistance in living.
NOTE: Laws normally do not permit acutely psychotic individuals (dangerous
to self or others) to be in anything but a psychiatric facility. Most
licensing information is available by contacting the state office of
mental health and asking to talk to someone in charge of facility
licensing. That person can explain the requirements for a board
and care.
2. Find what it takes to be properly licensed and certified (per No. 1
above). In most areas the facility needs to be licensed but in some areas
the administrator must be as well.
3. For a board and care
doctors or nurses are not needed. If you want a facility beyond that, see
if need doctors on staff. Does it need to be a psychiatrist? Does he need
to be on premises?
4. Put in writing the basic procedures that will be used for helping
clients with severe mental symptoms.
5. Work up criteria on who is eligible for the facility and who isn't.
6. Sort out legal structure: Corporation? Non-profit? Etc.
7. Find out the requirements to get payments from insurance companies.
Such payments are not likely under current insurance systems.
8. Study current similar places (such as Earth House in New Jersey or
boarding homes) for workable housing method.
9. If building a structure, work up the most efficient building
structure and how to organize buildings. If buying/leasing, look for
building that allows efficient use of space for housing, kitchen, office,
etc.
10. Allow space for clients to make noise, sports, etc.
11. Make full list of all requirements from all agencies. Requirements
cover a) the building, b) staffing, c) operation, and d) administration of
the program. This will include a list of all health and safety codes it
must meet for its purpose. This will include kitchen standards, hygiene of
living quarters, amt. of residential space needed per person, access to
doctors, compliance with regulations re: infectious diseases, etc.; fire
prevention equipment, fire doors, access to exits, exterior
staircases, maximum occupants, etc.
12. Write up a simple organization plan showing who does what and who
is in charge of whom.
13. Write up the duties of each job, such as kitchen help,
administrator, etc.
14. Liability Insurance (get prices and data; purchase it when ready to
start operations).
15. Workman's comp (get prices and data; purchase it when ready to
start operations).
16. Figure out how much it will cost to run the place and work out a
basic weekly budget.
17. Figure out a pricing structure, that is, how much will you charge
to stay at the facility? (as an example, Earth House has a fee structure
that shows how they charge for extras
like haircuts.)
18. Work up a program to get funding for its opening. Look into govt.
funding. Possibly hire a fundraiser. Actual fundraising should begin when
you have firm idea of type of bldg. needed, its cost, and exactly how
program will be run.
19. Work out how to train new staff.
20. Create a promotional program to attract clients.
21. Work up list of referral sources - i.e. who can refer clients to
you.
22. Create an info sheet on new people coming in for
screening/background data.
23. Have educational materials for family members or others who need to
take care of the client.
24. Have list of alternate places for people who cannot be accepted as
clients.
25. Work up some kind of counseling or handling for family. See #23
above.
26. Need policy on visitors (who can and can't visit, to keep away
disturbing elements).
27. Work up a list of promotional actions to bring in clients and make
facility well known.
28. If building a structure: Design building(s). Can model after
workable similar buildings, such as Earth House, resorts, drug rehabs,
hotels, rest homes.
29. Ensure area zoned for type of facility you have in mind. Can get
this info from city or town govt.
30. Ensure bldg. meets safety, fire, and bldg. codes.
31. Ensure building is affordable. (One drug rehab facility has a
policy of not spending more than 17% of expected income on
buying/leasing.)
32. Work up a furnishing plan for bldg and residences appropriate to
clientele. Note: white, gray, or pale green gives a hospital look. Want
cheerful, solid, easy-to-understand environment.
33. Work up a list of recreation and gardening activities that can be
done plus how to place them in the facility.
34. Have a grand opening appropriate to the facility. May forego this
to maintain calm atmosphere and dignity of the facility. Use judgment.
35. Possibly write several booklets on the facility and what you are
doing.
36. Work out public relations programs before opening the facility on
your place with neighbors, the community, local new media, etc.
37. Work up a program for delivering lectures in community, and to get
the word out about what you are doing
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The information of this Website is for educational purposes only and is
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practitioners. It is also not intended to diagnose or prescribe
treatment for any illness or disorder. Anyone already undergoing
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