Penn House is a four-bed Hennepin County licensed Rule 203 adult foster care home for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deaf-blind adults who use or want to use sign language as their primary mode of communication and who experience a mental illness. We provide a safe environment and teach residents the skills necessary to live, work and socialize in the community. The primary mode of communication is American Sign Language. Therefore, knowing sign language or being willing to learn is an advantage to all participants.
Who we serve
Individuals come from a variety of backgrounds, including recent high school graduates, psychiatric hospital discharges, and those living independently in the community or with family members. All must be adults (18+) who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Deaf-blind and experience a mental illness. We cannot serve people who have tested as being mentally retarded, but will consider individuals who experience a mental illness and who have borderline intellectual functioning. They must be waiver eligible, including CADI and TBI waivers. People whose crisis is due primarily to substance abuse are not eligible.
Services we provide
The program provides a home-like, supportive environment for adults with serious and persistent mental illness to learn independent living skills. We offer assistance with medication set up, monitoring, transportation to medical and psychiatric appointments, independent living skills training, socialization, meal planning, crisis intervention/prevention, cooking, one-to-one interaction, appointment scheduling, and daily check-in with staff.
About our location
The program is located in a homelike atmosphere in North Minneapolis. It is in a convenient location near bus lines, stores, banks, and churches. The home is two-story house and each person has a private bedroom. The house has several areas for socializing.
About the process
Referrals to the program can be made by the individual, providers, family members or any interested party. The person’s eligibility is determined through a process which includes the completion of an intake form, psychological evaluation, social/family history and medical examination; a visit to the program; and an interview with the program director and/or mental health practitioner.
About our fees
Cost for services at Penn House is covered by recipient income, GRH funding, and waiver funds. Payment for the program must be pre-authorized by the county of financial responsibility. The person must be screened for waivered services funding and the rate set includes both program fees and room and board.
About our staff
Our staff are both Deaf and hearing and all are fluent in sign language. Staff are trained in CPR, First Aid, OSHA, VA, psychiatric rehabilitation, psychiatric medication training, communication skills, and behavior management.
Hours of operation
Services and on-site supervision 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, with awake overnight staff.
Licensing
Adult Foster Care, Rule 203
Affiliations
Member of the Minnesota Association of Community Mental Health Programs (MACMHP) as well as members of the US Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (USPRA).
Contact Information
People Incorporated Penn House
1800 Penn Avenue N.
Minneapolis, MN 55411
Phone: 612-521-0642
TTY: 612-521-9869
Fax: 612-521-9889