Q: What are your rules about visiting?
A: We have an open door policy at our homes. You are welcome to visit any time. However, you may want to call and check that we are home.

Q: How long can my child live here?
A: We typically serve children until the age of 22. At the age of 20, individuals are placed on a discharge list with the Cuyahoga County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities and placement opportunities are explored. The family can be involved in this process. If an appropriate placement cannot be found by the time individuals turn 22, they remain at our facility until placement is found.

Q: Who pays for placement?
A: Our beds are licensed by the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. They are funded by Medicaid Waivers and the Cuyahoga County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. Resources, such as social security in the child’s name, are applied to the cost of care.

Q: Who takes care of doctor's appointments for my child?
A: We provide transportation and coordination for all medical appointments. We encourage family members to attend all appointments if they want to.

Q: Can my child stay at the same school?
A: If there is a strong clinical need for a child to remain at a certain school, they can as long as the parents’ school district agrees to pay for the placement.

Q: What if my child moves here and it does not work out?
A: Every attempt is made to ensure a placement is successful. However, there are times that a placement is not able to meet a child’s needs. If there is a health and safety need that cannot be addressed, alternative placement is sought. At times, respite or temporary placement is required until permanent placement is found.

Q: How do you administer medication?
A: Staff who have had delegated nursing training administer medication.

Q: How will I get information about how my child is?
A: You will be provided a telephone number that you can use to access someone at all times.

Q: Can I take my child home for visits?
A: Family involvement is greatly needed and encouraged. You can take your child home for visits.

Q: How much is my rent?
A: This is a HUD facility; rent is based on a percentage of your income.

Q: Can I have my friends stay overnight?
A: Guests can stay overnight. Your apartment is only leased for one person and therefore your guest cannot live with you.

Q: Can I have a boyfriend or girlfriend?
A: Yes. You are responsible for all guests on the property.

Q: Is the neighborhood safe?
A: Being aware of your surroundings and using good self and street safety is important in all neighborhoods. The sites are monitored by video 24 hours per day. A security guard is on site at Bonna overnight.

Q: How often will I see staff?
A: You are required to see staff daily.

Q: Does staff need to know where I am all the time?
A: Staff does not need to know where you are all the time; however, it is important for them to provide the services outlined in your plan. You need to be available for them to provide the services you agreed upon.

Q: Do I have to have a job?
A: Although this is not a requirement, it is recommended to assist you in meeting your financial needs.

Q: Who will pay my bills?
A: Staff will assist you to pay your bills.

Q: What kind of help will I get from staff?
A: The help you is determined at a meeting. You will determine what it is you want and need. An Individual Service Plan is that summarizes the needs and help you want.

Q: How long can I live here?
A: As long as you need the services.

Q: What if I don't want to stay?
A: You are required to give 30 days notice. This allows us to help you find another place to live and get the services you need to be successful.

Q: What is a ‘licensed’ group home?
A: Group homes at the HELP Foundation are licensed through the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (ODMR/DD). There are many licensure rules that the homes must follow. These rules/standards govern such areas as admission and discharge, employment and staffing, staff training, medication, physical environment requirements, food, clothing and personal belongings and personal funds. Representatives from ODMR/DD inspect group homes at least once a year to make sure that all the rules are being followed.

Q: Can I visit?
A: Maintaining contact with family and loved ones is very important. Family is encouraged to visit and have as much contact with our residents as they can. Telephone contact is also welcomed. Legal guardians are encouraged to develop a comfortable relationship with program and administrative staff in order to keep up to date on progress and plans. We would encourage a visitor to call ahead to make sure that the residents are home at the time of the visit.

Q: Can my son/daughter come home for overnight visits?
A: Overnight visits can be easily arranged with the staff.

Q: Can my son/daughter have his/her own belongings/furniture from home?
A: Residents are encouraged to bring at least some of their own personal possessions with them when they move into one of our group homes. Familiar belongings are more comfortable to be around. Sending along a personal radio, television, a favorite pillow or blanket, family pictures, etc. can make a difference in how easily your loved one would feel ‘at home’ in the new surroundings. HELP Foundation provides for all basic furniture needs. If you plan to continue visits home, it may be important for some personal items to remain with the family.

Q: Who makes sure that benefit checks and Medicaid keep coming?
A: In most cases, the HELP Foundation becomes the Representative Payee and is responsible for making sure that all benefits are maintained.

Q: Will my son/daughter have his/her own money to spend?
A: Each resident is given a monthly allowance to spend in addition to a portion of any wages earned. Money management assistance is provided based upon each individual’s ability to manage his or her own money.

Q: Who pays the bills, buys the clothes, etc.?
A: As the representative payee, HELP Foundation is responsible for either providing for all the residents’ needs or making arrangements to ensure those obligations are met.

Q: Who will take my son/daughter to the doctor, make sure he/she has the right medication and takes it as prescribed?
A: Staff are responsible for making sure that doctor appointments are made and kept and will accompany the residents as needed. The same applies to making sure that medications are provided and administered as ordered by the physician. A nurse is on call twenty-four hours a day for emergency needs.

Q: I am the legal guardian, how often will I be consulted?
A: Each year an Individual Service Plan will be developed to outline all the services to be provided in order to meet the individual’s needs. A meeting will be scheduled at which the plan is reviewed with the guardian. All changes in services and needs will also be discussed with the guardian. Guardians are encouraged to maintain contact with staff to be up to date on progress.

Q: Do you serve people all over the Summit County area or just in Akron?
A. We can provide services anywhere in Summit County though we like individuals to have access to community services, shopping, bus lines etc.

Q. Who pays you to provide services?
A. We receive payment from the county of summit Board of MR/DD, through Waiver programs and sometimes directly from an individual if they do not qualify for Waiver Services.

Q. What kind of group homes do you have?
A. Our agency does not currently own any of the homes that we provide services in. We assist our individuals in finding suitable housing in the community.

Q. How many people reside in your homes?
A. We currently have 4 sites where three roommates share living quarters and expenses. We also provide services to individuals who live alone.

Q. Do individuals have to share a bedroom?
A. Currently, everyone has his or her own bedroom.

Q. How is food bought and prepared?
A. Each site has a household account. The roommates deposit equal amount of money in the account and after helping plan the week's menu, accompany staff to the grocery store to purchase needed items. Staff and consumers work together to prepare meals and clean up.

Q. How do the consumers get places?
A. Currently each site has an agency vehicle to assist individuals in getting to medical appointments, shopping and of course for fun.

Q. Can consumers have visitors?
A. We encourage our consumers to invite family and friends to visit them at their homes.

Q. What kind of activities are available?
A. We encourage our consumers to plan activities that they would like to participate in. Movies, eating out, bingo, bowling are some of their favorite things to do. In addition, staff tries to plan a yearly vacation for all which includes staying over night at a hotel.

Q. How can I access services from your agency?
A. Individuals must first contact the County of Summit Board of MR/DD. Once they are approved for County Board services they can decide which agency they would like to provide their residential services.

Q: Is the neighborhood safe?
A. Over the past several years, Prospect Avenue has become very safe. But, as in any neighborhood, safety awareness is needed.

Q. Can I have overnight guests?
A. Yes, but all guest need to provide identification and follow all house rules.

Q. How long will I live at Six Chimneys?
A. Each person is different. When an individual no longer benefits from the services and supports offered, an alternate arrangement is discussed.

Q. How will my money be handled?
A. Each person will complete an assessment of his/her budgeting skills. As each individual becomes more familiar with budgeting, they will have more opportunities to handle their own monies.

Q: What is Supported Living?
A. Supported Living is a program designed to assist individuals function within their community.

Q. What can I expect by being a part of this program?
A. If you are an individual who qualifies for supported living services, you will be assigned a direct support professional to come out to your place of residence and assist you with services as identified in your Individual Service Plan (ISP). This may include everything from grocery shopping to hygiene care to social and recreational activities, such as going to ball games, fishing, vacations, etc.

Q. What if I do not like my direct support professional?
A. A new direct support professional will be assigned to you if the one initially assigned does not work out.

Q. Who decides what services I need?
A. You will participate in identifying what services you need to ensure your health and safety. As a part of a very detailed plan at the start of services, you will identify the areas where you desire assistance. From that plan, the direct support professional will work with you to make sure that your needs are met.

Q. What if my needs change?
A. Then your plan will change. Your plan can change at any time to be sure that your needs are being met.

Q. Do I qualify to be a part of this program?
A. To discover if you meet the criteria to be involved in this program, you need to contact the Intake Department at the Cuyahoga County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. The phone number is 216-241-8230.