Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 36, September 7, 2024
(a) Community Residential Rehabilitation Services (CRRS) are specifically designed and operated to assist persons with chronic psychiatric disability to live as independently as possible through the provision of training and assistance in the skills of community living and by serving as an integrating focus for the person's rehabilitation. CRRS are defined, regulated and operated to implement the principle of least restrictive service alternative. An individual shall be served by CRRS only for so long as the services are consistent with his need for services.(b) The CRRS can exist only in a system of services for their clientele and cannot function without ties to other service providers. Rehabilitation of severely psychiatrically disabled individuals requires many and diverse services: CRRS have as their part in the process the development of the clients' skills for independent living and for community participation while more general social and vocational skills are developed and treatment occurs. CRRS' have an obligation to work cooperatively with other service agencies and with local coordinating and planning groups toward the development and operation of a comprehensive service system which can meet the needs of chronically mentally ill persons in a continuous, timely and coordinated manner.(c) The CRRS have the following essential characteristics: (1) A homelike, noninstitutional environment providing maximum opportunity to learn the skills necessary for more independent living.(2) A residential setting providing each client with maximum possible autonomy, independence and self-determination.(3) A program which constantly strives to enable clients to move to less restrictive living settings.(4) Responsible staff to support and assist the client as needed in his movement to independence.(5) Well-developed cooperative efforts with other agencies in the service delivery system to ensure coordinated, continuous and effective services for the rehabilitation of clients.(d) This chapter prescribes standards for certification to operate Mental Health Community Residential Rehabilitation Services in this Commonwealth. Funding through the County Mental Health/Mental Retardation (MH/MR) program may be provided for the establishment and operation of CRRS. This chapter is not intended to confer eligibility for County MH/MR funding although the issuance of a certificate of compliance under this chapter and Chapter 20 (relating to licensure or approval of facilities and agencies) does constitute one condition of eligibility for the funding.