601 Client Support Fund
Original Approval Date: November 20, 1996
Revision Effective: April 15, 2009
Supersedes:
The Board believes that it is in the community’s and clients’ best interest to have available a special fund for client-related purchases that are not part of the ordinary service delivery system and will advance the client’s treatment plan and recovery. In order to protect the service delivery system from criticism, it is necessary to adopt this policy prohibiting certain expenditures and establishing safeguards to avoid misuse of the fund
It is the policy of the Board that each year it shall appropriate or evaluate the need for additional appropriations to the Client Support Fund. This fund shall be jointly administered by the Board and a provider agency.
The persons selected to administer the fund shall sign an agreement stating that they understand the limitations on the use of the fund, that they are bonded, and that they will issue reports as requested by the Board about fund activity.
Referrals to the fund may be made by any Tri-county agency staff member who works with the individual client in their official capacity.
Any single fund check shall not exceed $500.00. In addition, no client shall have more than $500 outstanding from the fund in any twelve month period. The designated provider agency must have the written signature of the designated board staff member indicating agreement with the decision before a check may be written. No funds will be given directly to consumers, but will be spent on their behalf. The designated agency shall maintain necessary documentation for all fund expenditures. In order to make funds available to as many clients as possible, those clients who have the ability to repay the fund will be expected to do so. Failure to repay the fund as agreed may result in the client being determined to be ineligible for assistance from the fund for at least one year. Any repayments received from clients by the designated provider agency will be placed back into the fund.
Appropriate uses of the fund include emergency food, clothing, shelter, deposits for utilities or other basic living needs. Medications, transportation to work, or other expenses that will increase the likelihood of client entry into paid employment settings are also appropriate uses.
The fund shall not be used for illegal, immoral or unethical activity by the client or administrators. In addition, the fund will not be used to pay court fines or other damages or to repay cash advances that the client may owe.
Administrators of the fund will make an effort to apportion the funds based on the population of each of the three counties.
If a dispute arises regarding appropriate use of the fund between the designated cosigners, they may appeal to the Board Executive Director for dispute resolution. The Executive Director's decision is final
The Executive Director will review reports and monitor use of the fund in order to make recommendations to the Board regarding annual appropriations for the fund.
Revision Effective: April 15, 2009
Supersedes:
The Board believes that it is in the community’s and clients’ best interest to have available a special fund for client-related purchases that are not part of the ordinary service delivery system and will advance the client’s treatment plan and recovery. In order to protect the service delivery system from criticism, it is necessary to adopt this policy prohibiting certain expenditures and establishing safeguards to avoid misuse of the fund
It is the policy of the Board that each year it shall appropriate or evaluate the need for additional appropriations to the Client Support Fund. This fund shall be jointly administered by the Board and a provider agency.
The persons selected to administer the fund shall sign an agreement stating that they understand the limitations on the use of the fund, that they are bonded, and that they will issue reports as requested by the Board about fund activity.
Referrals to the fund may be made by any Tri-county agency staff member who works with the individual client in their official capacity.
Any single fund check shall not exceed $500.00. In addition, no client shall have more than $500 outstanding from the fund in any twelve month period. The designated provider agency must have the written signature of the designated board staff member indicating agreement with the decision before a check may be written. No funds will be given directly to consumers, but will be spent on their behalf. The designated agency shall maintain necessary documentation for all fund expenditures. In order to make funds available to as many clients as possible, those clients who have the ability to repay the fund will be expected to do so. Failure to repay the fund as agreed may result in the client being determined to be ineligible for assistance from the fund for at least one year. Any repayments received from clients by the designated provider agency will be placed back into the fund.
Appropriate uses of the fund include emergency food, clothing, shelter, deposits for utilities or other basic living needs. Medications, transportation to work, or other expenses that will increase the likelihood of client entry into paid employment settings are also appropriate uses.
The fund shall not be used for illegal, immoral or unethical activity by the client or administrators. In addition, the fund will not be used to pay court fines or other damages or to repay cash advances that the client may owe.
Administrators of the fund will make an effort to apportion the funds based on the population of each of the three counties.
If a dispute arises regarding appropriate use of the fund between the designated cosigners, they may appeal to the Board Executive Director for dispute resolution. The Executive Director's decision is final
The Executive Director will review reports and monitor use of the fund in order to make recommendations to the Board regarding annual appropriations for the fund.
