Opinion ID: 3011219
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: RHD's Mandela and Visions Programs

Text: RHD's Mandela and Visions programs pr ovide assistance, support, and training to mentally ill and mentally r etarded adults. Both programs are community living arrangements that help clients make the transition from _________________________________________________________________ 1. Because employees can select differ ent benefits from a menu, the plan is referred to as a cafeteria plan. The cash option is consistent with the Internal Revenue Code's provisions regarding cafeteria plans. See 26 U.S.C. S 125(d)(1)(B). 3 institutional to independent living. Each client is supported by a team assembled by the county, which includes a county case manager, mental health pr ofessionals, family members, and an RHD staff member. The county managers and other county officials monitor RHD's services to ensure they comply with a service plan. The service plan content is set by state and federal regulations. The plan itself is funded with the state and federal money that funded the client's prior institutionalization. With the help of RHD residential advisors, clients in the Mandela and Visions programs select r esidences from a list of RHD-approved options. RHD rents the pr operty and subleases it to its clients.2 Although utility service is arranged in clients' names, payment is made thr ough RHD. RHD prepares lists of potential roommates from which clients may choose.3 If they wish, clients can change locations or residential advisors. Clients also may discontinue RHD's services, but then they must vacate the RHD-leased property. Clients pay up to 72 percent of their monthly Social Security Disability payments to cover rent and other ordinary living expenses. RHD maintains a custodial account for clients' Social Security benefits; RHD is the payee of some benefit checks. For some clients who receive spending money, RHD holds and distributes the money. Mandela clients' subleases with RHD include house rules. House rules state: (1) no drugs, alcohol, or loud music; (2) residents be dressed if outside their bedrooms between 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.; and (3) residents keep the staff informed of their wher eabouts at all times. Visions clients' subleases have no house rules. Clients in both programs must maintain and keep up their residences; they also may choose their home furnishings. They must choose, purchase, and prepare food for their own meals. They must maintain personal hygiene, _________________________________________________________________ 2. In a few cases, RHD owns the property and rents it directly to program participants. 3. On occasion, the county refers clients to RHD to live with another person in the program. 4 and select and wash their own clothes. But if a client is physically or mentally unable to cook, clean, or maintain the residence, RHD employees will do so. RHD retains keys to clients' residences. On-duty RHD employees may use the keys to enter clients' r esidents, but must knock before entering. Clients deemed capable keep their own keys. In the Mandela program, only six of eleven clients have keys to their own residences; only three are allowed to leave their residences unattended.