The Mental Health Association
of Orange County has written a manual for operators of
room and board facilities that serve residents with
mental illness. This section of our Web site describes
the manual and the process for a local room and board
operator to become an approved member of the Orange
County Room and Board Network.
Who Should Have A Copy of This Manual?
Someone opening a new room and
board or who has an existing room and board and would
like to be part of the Orange County Room and Board
Network or
Someone who would like to
establish a set of standards for room and board operators
serving mentally ill residents in their community.
How Much Does It Cost?
This manual is available for $40.00. We accept
Visa, MasterCard, and corporate and
personal checks. To purchase a copy, contact us at one of
the following:
Phone: (714) 547-7559
US Mail: 822 Town & Country Road, Orange, CA 92868
Email:
dpowell@mhaoc.org
What Is In The Manual?
The manual is composed of the
necessary guidelines to follow when opening and/or
operating a room and board. They are written to assist
you with the start-up of a new room and board and to
answer questions you may have regarding the operation of
an existing room and board. It is very important that
these guidelines are discussed with your room and board
staff as well as all tenants before they move in. These
guidelines are the recommendation of Orange County Health
Care Agency - Mental Health Services (HCA), The Mental
Health Association of Orange County (MHA), and Community
Care Licensing. The information in this manual is
designed to provide you with assistance in operating an
unlicensed room and board. Operators should contact
Community Care Licensing for information regarding
licensed facilities.
Room and boards are considered
unlicensed homes providing room and board or room only.
They are not "Community Care Facilities." A
room and board may be cited as an "Unlicensed
Community Care Facility" if the General Licensing
Requirements are violated. The General Licensing
Requirements define an "Unlicensed Community Care
Facility" as the following: "Unlicensed
Community Care Facility means a facility as defined in
Health and Safety Code Section 1503.5. Health and Safety
Code Section 1503.5 provides: A facility shall be deemed
to be an "unlicensed community care facility"
and "maintained and operated to provide nonmedical
care" if it is unlicensed and not exempt from
licensure and any one of the following conditions is
satisfied:
 | The facility is providing
care or supervision, as defined by this chapter
or the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to
this chapter. |
| The facility is held out
as or represented as providing care or
supervision, as defined by this chapter or the
rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this
chapter. |
| The facility accepts or
retains residents who demonstrate the need for
care or supervision, as defined by this chapter
or the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to
this chapter. |
| The facility represents
itself as a licensed community care
facility." |
How To Become A Member of the Room & Board
Network
To ensure your room and board
is added to our Room and Board Referral List, all the
guidelines stated in this manual must be met and you must
attend an Orientation Workshop provided by MHA, HCA, and
Community Care Licensing. (contact us for the next
orientation date).
The manual is structured for
you to read each section carefully and answer the
questions. After completing these questions, please
return them, along with a copy of your rental application
and agreement to MHA. (Please do not remove and send the
questions in the Guidelines manual; they are for your
reference). Upon receiving your answered questions, MHA
will review your responses. You will receive notification
(by mail) regarding the status of your room and board. If
your home has met all the specified guidelines of the
manual, it will be added to the Room and Board Referral
List. If any recommendations are noted, you will be given
the opportunity to make the necessary adjustments to
become eligible for the Referral List.
What Are The Benefits of Being A Member of the
Network?
Upon approval to the Referral
List you will be provided with the following services:
| Continuous listing on the
Room and Board Referral List (provided guidelines
are met) which is sent out to professionals,
community agencies, consumers, family members,
and others |
| Periodic Room and Board
Training Workshops |
| Information and referral
on landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities |
| Masters of rental
applications and agreements, and other forms |
| Nutritional Information |
| Support and monitoring
from MHA and HCA |
| Additional informational
material |
| Updated listings of
approved room and boards in Orange County |
MHA and HCA are here to provide
assistance and support to help you operate a successful
and efficient room and board. Neither MHA nor HCA can
guarantee referrals or that all your beds will be
continuously occupied. Good room and boards sell
themselves. If you follow the guidelines and provide a
comfortable living atmosphere your reputation will spread
to others.
Table of Contents
The following is
the table of contents. It is reprinted here to give you a
preview of the important topics that are covered in the
manual.
A. FEATURES OF THE HOME (Pages 1-5)
| Living Conditions |
| Bedrooms |
| Tenants Bathrooms |
| Telephone |
| Laundry |
| Parking |
| Bus Routes |
B. RENTAL PROCESS (Pages 6-11)
| Rental Application |
| Rental Agreement |
| Rent |
| Service Exchange Option |
| Deposits |
| Keys |
| Rent Receipts |
C. MEALS (Pages 12-14)
| Meals Included |
| Meals Not Included |
D. TENANT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Pages 15-18)
| Housekeeping |
| Medication |
| Appointments |
| Tenant's Finances |
| Right to Privacy |
E. HOUSE RULES (Pages 19-21)
| Smoking Alcohol and Illegal Drugs |
| Visitors |
| Transportation |
| Children |
| Pets |
| Curfew |
F. MISCELLANEOUS (Pages 22-23)
| Storage Space |
| Operator/Manager |
| House Meetings |
| Announcements |
| Recreational Activities |
ROOM AND BOARD QUESTIONNAIRE (Pages 24-27)
SAMPLE RENTAL APPLICATION (Attachment A)
SAMPLE ROOM RENTAL AGREEMENT (Attachment B)
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS (Attachment C)
CALIFORNIA TENANTS (Supplement)
THE FOOD GUIDE PYRAMID (Supplement)
Ordering Information
his manual is available for $40.00. We accept
Visa, MasterCard, American Express and corporate and
personal checks. To purchase a copy, contact us at one of
the following:
Phone: (714) 547-7559
US Mail: 822 Town & Country Road, Orange, CA 92868
Email:
dpowell@mhaoc.org
Copyright © 1996-2000 by Mental Health Association of
Orange County. All rights reserved.
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