The following is a portion of the written materials given to the people who begin the Money Management program.

Welcome to the Money Management program. You have taken the first step towards independence in managing your money. Your responsibility is to follow the guidelines set forth in this money management agreement and to abide by the phase outlines. The money management program is designed to provide you with the opportunity to learn how to budget and control you own finances. You will be provided with as much support as needed in this area until your goal of personal budget management is met. The money management program is not intended to be used as a convenience for those members who are competent to handle their own personal money. The money management coordinator (MMC) as well as the Personal Service Coordinator (PSC) are available to help you answer questions and meet goals.

The member may participate in voluntary money management by bringing in his/her endorsed check. The member may also have his/her current payee endorse or write a check to the Village for deposit into a money management account. Rent, food and P&I will not be distributed until the check is received. To avoid late rent and food distributions, a deposit may be required.

1. MMC will develop monthly budget with member and PSC to pay all of their bills (i.e. rent, utilities, member personal and emergency loan payments, etc.).

2. MMC will schedule food and P&I money through the Village bank.

3. Disbursement of food money will be handled in the following way:

a. The member will be accompanied by the PSC during grocery shopping unless the team decides to allow the member to shop alone. The member and/or PSC can pickup food money on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.

Note: Member must purchase only food and sundry items with food money. Any other goods must be purchased with P&I money. All receipts will be returned to the MMC, (if required by MMC or PSC).

4. Food money (including scripts) must at least be $150.00 to $200.00 depending on the member’s income after his/her rent and utilities are paid.

5. Personal and Incidental (P&I) will be the amount left after all of the member’s expenses are paid and food money distributed. The member will pickup P&I at least once a week.

1. If the member picks up more than once per week, s/he will gradually reduce the number of pickups to once per week to assist in moving to Phase II.

7. The member’s budget will be reviewed by the PSC and MMC before applying for an emergency loan since food and rent are budgeted each month.

6. After two months, an evaluation will be made by the member, member’s PSC and MMC to determine if the member is ready to progress to next phase.

1. MMC will continue to pay the member’s rent. The member will be responsible for paying utilities and purchasing his/her own groceries on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. (1st and15th).

2. All grocery receipts must be returned to the MMC by the member, (if required by MMC or PSC).

3. P&I and grocery money distributed on a bi- monthly (1st and 15th) basis will be disbursed in cash or check form. As the member progresses to Phase III, disbursement may be in the form of a check only.

4. The member’s budget will be reviewed by the PSC and the MMC before applying for an emergency loan since food and rent are budgeted on the money management worksheet for the month.

5. If the member fails to maintain requirements of his/her current phase, the member will be re-evaluated by the MMC and the PSC to determine if the member will return to the prior phase.

6. The member’s phase II status will be reviewed before applying for an emergency loan by the PSC and MMC.

7. After two months, an evaluation will be made by the member, his/her PSC, and the MMC to determine if the member is ready to progress to next phase. Member must establish a bank account in the community before proceeding to Phase III.

1. The Mental Health Association in Los Angeles County will continue to be the member’s payee.

2. The member will receive a check for the full amount of his/her income (SSI and/or SOC.SEC., etc)

3. The member will be responsible for reviewing a monthly budget with the MMC, and bringing in a copy of the rent receipt when rent is paid to landlord.

4. If the member fails to maintain requirements of his/her current phase, the member will be re-evaluated by the MMC and the PSC to determine if the member will return to the prior phase.

5. The member’s Phase III status will be reviewed before applying for an emergency loan by the PSC and MMC.

6. After three months, an evaluation will be made by the member, member’s PSC, and MMC to determine if the member is ready to graduate from the Money Management Program with a Certificate of Completion.

After graduating from the money management program, assistance will be available from the MMC for members who want to learn how to balance their checkbook, establish credit, and interpret utility bills and invoices.