Community Based Residential Facilities (CBRFs)
CBRFs provide supervision and supportive services to people unable to live independently but do not require nursing home services. The State allows five or more unrelated adults to reside in a CBRF and individuals may receive up to 3 hours of nursing services per week. Nursing services are separate from assistance with ADLs that the home may provide. Most CBRFs are known to us as group homes and they specialize in a particular kind of care such as advanced age, Alzheimer's, or physical disabilities.
CBRF's may be homes in a residential neighborhood (thus "group homes") or part of a larger living options complex. In Group Homes, each resident has their own private or semi-private room and may have private or shared baths. In larger buildings they may have private suites or small studio apartments. Individuals receive meals, housekeeping, laundry, activities, medication monitoring and assistance with dressing and bathing. Social activities and programming is provided by staff and is often a way to break isolation for those who may have been living alone.
CBRF's have 6 different licensure or class levels and it is critical to be assessed for and choose the correct level of care. They are as follows:
Class AA: A class A ambulatory CBRF may serve only residents who are ambulatory and are mentally and physically capable of responding to an electronic fire alarm and exiting the facility without any help or verbal or physical prompting.
Class AS: A class A semiambulatory CBRF may serve only residents who are ambulatory or semiambulatory and are mentally and physically capable of responding to an electronic fire alarm and exiting the facility without any help or verbal or physical prompting. Residents may use a walker or a cane.
Class ANA: A class nonambulatory CBRF may serve residents who are ambulatory, semiambulatory or nonambulatory, but only if they are mentally and physically capable of responding to an electronic fire alarm and exiting the facility without any help or verbal or physical prompting. Residents may use a wheelchair.
Class CA: A class C ambulatory CBRF may serve only residents who are ambulatory, but one or more of whom are not mentally or physically capable of responding to an electronic fire alarm and exiting the facility without any help or verbal or physical prompting.
Class CS: A class C semiambulatory CBRF may serve only residents who are ambulatory or semiambulatory, but one or more of whom are not mentally or physically capable of responding to an electronic fire alarm and exiting the facility without any help or verbal or physical prompting.
Class CNA: A class C nonambulatory CBRF may serve residents who are ambulatory, semiambulatory or nonambulatory, but one or more of whom are not mentally or physically capable of responding to an electronic fire alarm and exiting the facility without any help or verbal or physical prompting.
Individuals receive an assessment prior to being admitted to the CBRF to determine their needs and abilities. When it is determined that the CBRF is appropriate, an individualized service plan is developed.
Individuals must be offered a "Preadmission Consultation" provided by the local County (explained more fully in this site within the Assisted Living introduction). They also have rights which they do not lose upon entering a CBRF. Before or at the time of admission the CBRF staff shall explain the resident's rights, house rules and grievance procedures. Service plans are reviewed for each resident in six month intervals and individual evaluations (i.e. services, abilities, interests, and needs) and the CBRF satisfaction evaluations are offered annually.
Licensing and regulations: CBRFs are licensed by the State, receive an initial site visit prior to the granting of the license and then are inspected by the Bureau of Quality Assurance every two years unless there is a complaint which requires a visit. Complaints are made by calling the Southeastern Regional Office of the Bureau of Quality Assurance at (414) 227-5000. An advocate known as an Ombudsman may be reached at (414) 227-4386 or State wide at 1-800-815-0015.
Costs in CBRFs depend on the services and accommodations offered. This needs to be taken into consideration when viewing costs on this site. People pay privately (Social Security, pension, savings, sale of home) and/or they may receive funding through Veterans care benefits or special county and state programs (COP/ Family Care). The ability of a person to pay for the first three years and the role of the County is determined at the time of admissions. Contact your local County Office for Adult or Elderly services regarding possible funding information. The CBRF you are interested in may give you information and direction as well. Look for funding options listed for each home on this site.
Touring a CBRF: You may access a CBRF checklist on the state website at http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us or by calling the Division of Supportive Living at (414) 227-4501. We also have suggestions at the end of this section.
Residential Care Apartment Complexes (RCACs)