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 Frequently Asked Questions

 If you have a question that we should include, email us at info@servbhs.org

 General FAQs
 Referral FAQs
 Consumer FAQs
 Family & Friends FAQs
 Neighbor FAQs

 General FAQs
 What is SERV's mission?
 For whom does SERV provide services?
 What services and programs does SERV offer?
 Where are SERV programs available?
 How long has SERV been providing services in New Jersey?
 Is SERV a non profit?
 How are SERV's programs funded?
 How do I get a job at SERV?

 What is SERV’s Mission?
 SERV works to provide housing, support and services to special-needs  populations.

 For whom does SERV provide services?
 SERV provides services for adults, children and families who are  working to recover from and cope with a mental illness,  developmental disability, emotional disturbance or challenging  behavior.

 What services and programs does SERV offer?

 Where are SERV programs available?
 SERV maintains services that provide care for people in 9 counties  in  New Jersey including Mercer, Middlesex, Burlington, Hudson,  Union,  Passaic, Monmouth, Ocean and Hunterdon counties. Not  every  program and service is available in each county. Please call  our  access office at 1-800-987-SERV for specific information about  a  program and its availability in your area. 

 How long has SERV been providing services in  New  Jersey?
 Since 1974.

 Is SERV a non-profit?
 Yes. SERV Behavioral Health System is a private not-for-profit  organization.

 How are SERV’s programs funded?
 SERV has a number of funding sources including state, county and  local government as well as the NJ Department of Human  Services  and the NJ Department of Developmental Disabilities.  We receive  qualified reimbursements from Medicaid and some 3rd  party (private  insurance) reimbursements. Finally, we receive  some payments  directly from our consumers. The amount our  consumers pay is  generally based upon a sliding-scale and does  not  account for the  full cost of service.

 How do I get a job at SERV?
 You may submit your resume to our Human Resources office by:
 Fax to 609-406-1920
 E-mail to info@servbhs.org
 You may attach your resume as a Word or text document.
 Or you can call with any questions at: 609-406-0100

 Referral FAQs

 Who can make a referral?
 Who is elgible for SERV program?
 What kind of information will I need about the potential consumer  in  order to make the referral?
 How is a referral made?
 What happens after I make a referral? 

 Who can make a referral?
 If you have a friend, family member or a patient whom you think  would benefit from one of our programs, call us! Many of our  programs are open to referrals from the community while others  require that the patient come through a particular process (i.e.  from  the state hospital). The best way to find out how to get into  a SERV  program is to call us. We can help you navigate your way  to us.

 Who is eligible for SERV programs?
 Different programs have somewhat different eligibility criteria.  Please call us for specifics.

 What kind of information will I need about the  potential consumer in order to make a referral?
 You will need the basic information about that person including:

Name
Date of Birth
Address
Phone number
Social Security Number
Diagnosis
Medications
Current Symptoms

 Be sure you have the permission of the potential consumer before  you discuss their personal information.

 How is a referral made?

 What happens after I make a referral?
 After you make a referral, SERV staff will follow up directly with  the  potential consumer and set up a face-to-face meeting to  assess  appropriateness for the program he or she wishes to enter. 

 Consumer FAQs
 Do I have to bring my own furniture?
 Will I have a roommate?
 Are there rules that i must follow?
 Who does the cleaning and chores?
 Can I have visitors?
 Once I am in a SERV program, can I leave?
 How much does it cost to live at SERV?
 If I live in a group home, when do I get to move to a supervised  apartment? 
 How long can I live at SERV?
 SERV requires that I be involved in “gainful activity." What is  considered “gainful activity”? 
 Will other people know I am living in a program?
 If I have a problem or complaint about SERV staff or the way I  am  being treated, what can I do about it?
 Will I have a say in my treatment?

 Do I have to bring my own furniture?
 No. The apartments are furnished. Bring the things that will make  you feel at home such as pictures or mementos, etc.

 Will I have a roommate?
 Yes. You will most likely have a roommate.

 Are there rules I must follow?
 Yes. There are rules that will be discussed with you at the time  you  make the decision to enter our program.

 Who does the cleaning and chores?
 Each consumer is expected to share the responsibility of cooking  and  chores. Staff assistance may be available if needed.

 Can I have visitors?
 Yes. You are free to have friends and family visit you. Please  remember to be considerate of other housemates and roommates.  Staff will assist you in determining appropriate times for visitors.

 Once I am in the program, can I leave?
 Yes, the SERV programs are voluntary.

 How much does it cost to live at SERV?
 Each consumer is charged a service fee that is based upon his/her  monthly income.

 If I live in a group home, when do I get to move  to  a  supervise apartment?
 SERV staff will help you set treatment goals when you come into a  program. When you have completed the goals, are feeling well  and  there is an opening, you can move to the apartments.

 How long can I stay in the program?
 As long as you need to. You can leave SERV when you feel you are  ready or when you feel you no longer want services.

 Can I bring my children to live with me?
 No, the apartments and group homes are designed for adult  consumers only. Friends and family may visit.

 Can I have pets?
 No.

 Do you have shelters or emergency housing?
 Not at this time.

 Does SERV provide vocational training?
 Not in the residential facilities, but we can help connect you to  other  service providers who do provide vocational training.

 SERV requires that I be involved in “gainful  activity."  What is  considered gainful activity?
 Some examples of gainful activity are: Day Treatment program,  volunteer work, a job or going to school.

 What happens if I need to go to the hospital? Will I  lose  my  apartment?
 No. Your place will be held for you for 30 days.

 What skills do I need in order to succeed in the  apartment program?
 You need to be able to care for your own hygiene and do some  basic  cooking and cleaning.

 Will I have a say in my treatment?
 Yes. You should discuss our goals and concerns with SERV staff  regularly.

 Will other people know I am in a program?
 No. All information about your treatment is confidential. Our  apartments and group homes are in the community and do not  look  any different from any other house or apartment.

 If I have a problem or complaint about the way I am  being treated, what can I do about it?
 If you have a problem or issue with SERV staff that has not been  resolved through the local quality control process, you may call  SERV’s consumer advocate at 609-406-0100 x3090. All inquiries  and  issues will be held in confidence.

 Family and Friend FAQs
 What is a Group Home?
 What is an Apartment Program?
 What are the qualifications of SERV’s staff?
 What kinds of training does SERV staff receive?
 How long can a person stay at SERV?
 What is my role with SERV as a family member of a SERV  consumer?  How can I be involved?
 What if I suspect abuse or neglect of my  family member while  they  are in the care of a  SERV program?
 Where do people living at SERV go when they  leave?

 What is a group home?
 A group home is a residence for individuals with disabilities to live  in  the community.  24-hour supervision and assistance is provided  to  these residents. Group home staff provide assistance with  Activities  of Daily Living, medication monitoring, transportation,  supportive  counseling, coordination with other service providers,  individual and  group counseling, and recreational activities. These  services are  provided so that residents can improve their  independent living  skills.

 What is an apartment program?
 Apartment programs offer a variety of support and supervision for  those adults who are in the process of building a progressively  more  independent life. In some apartment programs staff are on-site  fourteen hours a day. In programs where residents have increased  their skills for independence, staff may be on-site less. SERV staff  members are always on-call to apartment residents.

 What training does SERV staff receive? What are  their  qualifications?
 Counselors at SERV sites must have a bachelor’s degree in the  field  of human services, or two years of college plus two years of  related  work experience, or a high school diploma plus four years  of related  experience. In addition to this, all SERV staff complete  an initial  training before they begin work with consumers. This  training  includes sessions on psychiatric illness, medication,  safety,  driving,  and all SERV policies and procedures. There is  regular  training  offered to all staff throughout the year and SERV  has a  liberal  tuition reimbursement program for all job-related  education. All staff  receive regular supervision to discuss any  issues related to the  treatment of the residents and the operation  of the home. The staff  meets weekly to ensure that everyone has  the information they need  and to discuss any emerging issues  before they become problems.

 How long can a person stay at SERV?
 As long as they need to. Many of our residential consumers move  to  more independent living within a year or two. Some stay  longer.

 What is my role with SERV as a family member of  a  SERV consumer? How can I be involved?
 Your role can be whatever feels comfortable for you and your  family  member. The options of involvement include but are not  limited to:  visits to the site, weekend visits with your family  member, meetings  with staff, participation in treatment planning,  and family support  groups. We encourage family participation,  while at the same time  understand that sometimes there are  limitations to how involved you  can or want to be. Your  participation, whether direct or indirect, is  welcomed.

 What if I suspect abuse or neglect of my family  member while  they are in the care of a SERV  program?
 Call our Director of Quality and Compliance at 609-406-0100, x3090  to voice any concerns you may have about the safety and welfare  of  your family member.

 Where do people living at SERV go when they  leave?
 SERV assists residents in finding affordable housing when it is  possible, allowing many people to graduate and live  independently.  Some of our residents move in with relatives.  Others may need more  intensive services than we provide in which  case we work with them  to arrange for the appropriate services  with another treatment  provider.

 Neighbor FAQs
 How long have group homes and community residences been in  New  Jersey?
 Why is SERV allowed to have a group home or apartment program  in  my neighborhood?
 What types of disabilities do the residents of SERV programs  have?
 Where do the consumers come from?
 What kind of screening do SERV consumers have to go through  before placement in a SERV residence?
 What is the treatment for residents of SERV programs?
 What if a consumer has an emotional or psychiatric emergency?
 Will there be people in the group home who are dangerous?
 Why didn’t SERV notify the township or neighbors prior to  moving  in?
 What kind of supervision does SERV provide for the consumers?
 Does SERV do a background check on its employees working  on  the  premises?
 Will having a SERV program nearby lower my property value?
 Will the SERV residents be allowed into the neighborhood  alone?
 What laws apply to the siting of a community residence?
 Are SERV residential programs mandatory?
 Whom do I call if I have a question or issue regarding a  community  residence near me?
 What can we do to make SERV residents feel like a part of our  neighborhood?
 Where else can I get information about community housing?

 How long have group homes and community  residences been  in New Jersey?
 People with disabilities have been living in community programs  such  as group homes and supervised apartments across New  Jersey for  more than two decades. They have been living, working,  going to  school, making friends, and attending church — in short,  living their  lives — just like all of us.

 Why is SERV allowed to have a group home or  apartment  program in my  neighborhood?
 SERV operates licensed community residences for the people who  are  struggling to cope with a serious disability. These facilities are  allowed, by law, in every residential zone in New Jersey. Any  restrictions on where mentally ill or developmentally disabled  individuals may live are a violation of their rights under the  Federal  Fair Housing Act as well as the Americans with Disabilities  Act.

 What types of disabilities do the residents of SERV  programs have?
 SERV provides services for adults, children and families who are  working to recover from and cope with a mental illness or  developmental disability. Some of the residents also have medical  or  physical disabilities as well. SERV also provides services to  youth  who are placed through DYFS due to abuse or neglect.

 Where do the patients come from?
 Our main referral sources include Trenton Psychiatric Hospital  (TPH)  and Greystone State Hospital. We also take some referrals  from the  community through other human services agencies such  as the  Division of Developmental Disabilities or by way of family,  friends or  healthcare professionals who know of someone who  needs our  services.

 What kind of screening do SERV consumers have  to  go through before placement in a SERV  residence?
 A number of people including SERV staff screen all referrals before  they are accepted into any SERV program. The exact process  varies  for each type of referral agency:

      State Hospital Referrals - The staff of the referring         hospital  screens all patients who may be discharged to a         group  home  placement. Prior to discharge the hospital         staff, led by the  patient’s treating psychiatrist, must         determine that the patient is  not a danger to themselves or         others. An independent agency  contracted to provide         Intensive Case Management Services (ICMS)  works with         both the hospital staff and potential group home  residents         to prepare them for community placement.  When  hospital         staff and ICMS staff feel a patient is ready for  community         placement, they will refer the patient to SERV. SERV  staff         meets  with both the patient and the referring staff and         reviews the  patient’s records. The staff will then determine         if the  patient is  appropriate for the available opening.         Additional  assessments are  performed and additional         documentation is  requested from the  referral source. Only         when all steps are completed is the individual considered for         placement in a SERV facility.

       Community Referrals - Community referrals happen in         much  the  same way, however, ICMS is not always a part of         the  community  referral process. There is an assessment         that includes  a face to  face interview with the potential         patient and  documentation/medical review. Staff reviews the         referral for both  appropriateness and fit with the available         openings before  admission is agreed upon.

       Developmental Disability Services - Referrals for
       our Developmental Disability Teaching Family Homes and        supervised  apartments come through the Division of        Developmental  Disabilities. Documents are reviewed and        potential consumers are  interviewed and assessed as in        other referral processes. A  placement committee meets to        determine the appropriateness and  best fit for the consumer.

 What is the “treatment” for residents of SERV  programs?
 It is SERV’s goal to assist the people who come into our care to  live  and work successfully in their communities as they gradually  build a  more independent and meaningful life outside the walls of  an  institution. To do this effectively, SERV integrates housing and  supportive services to address the needs of the whole person and  does not treat just an illness.

 Each of SERV’s consumers participates in creating a treatment  plan  that includes goals and objectives for them to accomplish.  Staff  works with consumers to accomplish their goals by providing  assistance in all “activities of daily living” such as nutrition, home  maintenance, personal hygiene, symptom management and  medication. We also help the residents access medical,  vocational,  and other treatment in the community. All of the work  with the  residents is focused on the residents increasing their  independence  so that they may move to more independent living  and eventually  move on to a home of their own.

 What if a consumer has an emotional or  psychiatric  emergency?
 The staff in our programs is well trained in recognizing psychiatric  problems early. This enables them to help the resident get the  treatment needed to avoid an emergency. All of the group home  staff is trained in crisis management as part of their initial training  and many are certified by the National Crisis Prevention  Institute in  non-violent crisis intervention. This training gives them tools to de- escalate a crisis situation and help the consumer resolve whatever  problems he/she may be having. If other  intervention is needed, the  staff contacts the designated  psychiatric screening  center in that  county.

 Will there be people in the group home who are  dangerous?
 No. SERV and the Department of Human Services take their  responsibility to New Jersey communities and the vulnerable  people  we serve very seriously. In fact, SERV has a 30-year track  record of  providing safe, quality residential programs in local  communities. No  one who is considered to be a danger to  themselves or to others is  recommended for a community home.  In fact, the Department of  Human Services has a policy that  prohibits the placement of persons  who have been convicted or  charged with serious and/or violent  crimes from being placed in  DHS  contracted group homes.

 People with disabilities are no more dangerous than the  population- at-large. Indeed, studies have shown that people  with  disabilities are more likely to be victims, themselves. Still, there are  many myths associated with having a disability. The myth that  people with disabilities are unusually dangerous creates a painful  obstacle for people with developmental disabilities or mental illness.

 Why didn’t SERV notify the township or neighbors  prior to  moving in?
 Because it is against the law to do so. Homes for people with  disabilities share the same rights as everyone else in choosing  where to live. The Federal Fair Housing Act, originally created to  protect the rights of minority groups to live where they choose,  was  extended in 1988 to specifically include people with disabilities.  Everyone benefits from this right and all of us have an obligation to  abide by this federal law protecting our right to live where we  choose, without discrimination.

 Housing for people with disabilities should be treated in the same  way as housing for any citizen - that’s the law. For instance, the  law  similarly forbids municipal officials to be notified when other  minority  groups move into a neighborhood.

 What kind of supervision does SERV provide for  the  consumers?
 SERV Group homes will have 24-hour awake coverage.  During the  hours when the residents are at home and awake there will be a  second counselor assigned to the house. Apartment program staff  may be on-site up to eight hours a day. In apartment programs  where residents have increased their skills for independence, staff  may be onsite less. SERV staff is always on-call to apartment  residents.

 Additionally, a master’s level clinician supervises the site staff  and  leads the treatment team. There is an extensive system of  backups  for staff on-site and there is always a clinician on call to  help the  on- site staff deal with any problems that may arise. Also  the local  director, facility manager, and senior management are  available by  pager and can respond to any problems.

 Does SERV do a background check on its  employees  working  on the premises?
 SERV performs a background check on all new employees.  This  includes reference checks and a criminal background check.  An  outside contractor performs these checks.

 Are SERV programs licensed or regulated? By  whom?
 Specific licensing requirements for health and safety safeguard  SERV  residents. Prior to opening, the group home or apartment is  inspected by the licensing arm of the Department of Human  Services  to ensure compliance with all regulations.  The homes are  licensed  and inspected regularly by the Department of Human  Services. The  department requires SERV to adhere to an ongoing  system of  monthly reporting and monitoring, and social workers  and residents’  family members have unrestricted access to the  homes. This  combination of openness and oversight means that  any problems in  the home can be quickly detected and resolved.  Group home staff  conducts monthly safety inspections with  administrative staff  inspecting quarterly.

 Will having a SERV program nearby lower my  property  value?
 There is an overwhelming volume of evidence that homes for  people  with disabilities do not significantly impact property  values. In a  review of 47 studies from 1973-1993, researchers  found that property  values remain unaffected by homes for people  with disabilities. The  studies also revealed that group homes do not make properties close  to the homes harder to sell.

 1.For example: Julian Wolpert, Princeton University, studied the  impact  of group homes for people with mental retardation in ten  NY  State  communities and compared the findings with 42 other  communities  without group homes. Wolpert found that there was  no  significant  difference in property values and no decline in the  value  of adjacent  properties in the study area.
 2. Another study of  property market  activity around 12 Philadelphia  mental health  facilities also  concluded that no decline in sales  prices occurred  due to the  presence of community homes. 3The  Community  Services Information  Program reviewed a total of 58  studies,  spanning nearly two  decades, from 1970-1989. The  research  reviewed consistently  demonstrated that group homes  have not  negatively impacted  property values or property turnover  rates.
  4. Among these studies, S.  Breslow, Princeton University, reviewed  the impact of 16 community  residences for the developmentally  disabled, mentally ill, veterans,  neglected children and the elderly  on the real estate market in White  Plains, NY. He found that the  homes did not depress property values  and, in some cases,  caused  appreciation of property values.
  5.  (Believed to be the  result of renovations to the homes.)  In  Stamford Connecticut, property values in eight neighborhoods  with  group homes were compared to 23 neighborhoods without  group  homes. The group homes housed chronically mentally ill and  mentally retarded adults, homeless families, adolescent males  and  recovering alcoholics. The researchers concluded that the data  provided strong evidence that group homes have no effect on  property values.

 Will the SERV residents be allowed into the  neighborhood  alone?
 The residents have the same rights and responsibilities as  everyone  else in the neighborhood. They may take a walk, go to  the local  shops and use local public transportation just like  anyone else.

 What laws apply to the siting of a community  residence?
 The Federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.):
 - Prohibits local zoning rules to discriminate in housing  opportunities  for the disabled;
 - Makes it unlawful to deny a dwelling to any buyer or renter  because  of a handicap.

 The Municipal Land Use Law (N.J.S.A. 40:55 D-66.1 and 66.2)
 - requires all residential districts in the state to permit new  community residences.
 - Specifically protects community residences that are licensed by  the  state
 - Prohibits municipal authorities from excluding group homes from  their communities (S.210); and requires DHS to place handicapped  individuals in community residences whenever possible  (N.J.S.A.30:6-D-13 and N.J.S.A. 30:11B-1)
 - In addition, State Statute (N.J.S.A. 30:11-B-5) requires DHS to  ensure that homes for the handicapped are geographically  “available  throughout the state without unnecessary  concentration.” These  living arrangements are established in N.J.  S. A. 30:11B-1 et.seq.  Stringent standards for opening, licensing  and operating a  community residence are delineated in N.J.A.C.  10:44A.

 Are SERV residential programs mandatory?
 SERV residential programs are considered to be voluntary.  Individuals who require a locked facility for mandated treatment  are  not appropriate for our programming.

 Where do people living at SERV go when they  leave?
 SERV assists residents in finding affordable housing when it is  possible, allowing many people to graduate and live  independently.  Some of our residents move in with relatives.  Others may need more  intensive services than we provide, in  which case, we work with them  to arrange for the appropriate  services with another treatment  provider.

 Whom do I call if I have questions or issues  regarding  a  community residence near me?
 If you have a question or concern about a SERV site, contact our  administrative office at: 1-800-987-7378
 OR call at calling 1-877-DHS-LINE (1-877-347-5463) OR call Mental  Health Association in N.J.'s helpline " Mentalhealthcares" at 
  1-866-202-HELP

 You can also e-mail your questions or concerns to  info@servbhs.org

 What can we do to make SERV residents feel like  a  part of our  neighborhood?
 Treat them like any other neighbor.

 Where else can I get information about community   housing?
 DHS Good Neighbors website

______________________________
 1 Michael Dear, Robert Wilton (1996) “The Question of Property  Values,” Campaign for  New Community, Interfaith Conference of  Metropolitan Washington, 1419 V Street  NW, Washington, DC  20009.  2 Wolpert, Julian (1978) “Group Homes for the Mentally  Retarded: An  Investigation of Neighborhood Property Impacts,”  prepared for NY  Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental  Disabilities;  Princeton University.  3 Dear, Michael (1977) “Impact  Of Mental Health  Facilities On Property Values”  Community Mental  Health Journal,  13:150-157. 4 Community Services Information  Program (1990) There  Goes the Neighborhood. White Plains, NY.  5 Breslow, S. (1976)  “The  Effect of Siting Group Homes on  Surrounding Environs.” Princeton  University.  6 Coleman, A. (1989).  “The Effect of Group Homes on  Residential Property Values in  Stamford, Connecticut.” Stamford  Connecticut. St. Lukes  Community Services.