Admission Criteria

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Candidates will be considered for admission after providing a complete medical history including a psychiatric evaluation.  Admission will be considered for those individuals who meet the following:

• Must be 18 years of age or older to be admitted (though application procedures may begin prior to age 18).
• Must be diagnosed "mentally challenged" (mentally handicapped). We do not have the staff or facilities for those who are mentally ill or who have emotional issues.
• Must be capable of basic self-care.
• Must be able to communicate in some manner. Blind, deaf, or mute residents will be considered.
• Accepts supervision.
• Can be left alone for short periods of time.
• May have physical disorders or problems that can be medically controlled.
• If on medication, must be able to take oral medication.
• Do not demonstrate behaviors which are dangerous to themselves and others.
• Do not have a history of endangering themselves or others.
• Are independently ambulatory.
• Demonstrate a functioning level within the moderate range of mental retardation or higher.
• Do not demonstrate behaviors which cause major property destruction.
• Demonstrate competencies in self-care and personal hygiene (verbal prompting may be needed).
• Demonstrate domestic skills, e.g., basic cleaning, use of cleaning equipment like a vacuum cleaner (verbal prompting if needed).
• Need only routine or minor medical assistance (those not requiring a licensed medical professional); and have confirmed the absence of infectious diseases; e.g., hepatitis B, HIV- positive, AIDS, or tuberculosis.  Candidates with infectious disease must be approved by the Triangle Cross Ranch Board of Directors.
• May have a psychiatric diagnosis, but do not demonstrate challenging behavior in concert with the diagnosis.
• Have successfully completed the mandatory trial residency of approximately one (1) week.  The trial residency is per deim, at the current daily rate, and is intended to assess comparability of the Rancher with our programs, to allow Staff to evaluate that the Ranch can meet the Rancher's needs and to allow the Rancher and/or Parent(s)/Guardian(s) to experience life on the Ranch before committing to a long-term residency.