Resident Handbook

Phase One:

All resident are on 8pm curfew for their first 7 days of residency. 

After 7 days of 8pm curfew, curfew increases to 9pm until employment is secured and a work schedule is provided to management. 

After 1 week of compliance with 8pm curfew and employment is secured residents move to phase 2. 

8pm curfew is not to punish you. It allows us to get to know each other. It shows your willingness to move through our phases. We believe in you!

Phase Two:

Once transitioned to phase 2, all residents are on 10pm curfew Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Curfew is 11pm on Friday and Saturday. Residents are in this phase a minimum of 30 days. 

All residents are expected to get a sponsor, start working the 12 steps, get a homegroup, and get a service commitment in phase 2. 

Residents must show commitment and responsibility with employment and rent payment for a minimum of 30 days. 

After 30 days of residency passes are granted as long as the pass is conducive to your recovery and you have no outstanding balances with rent. 1 pass per month is granted. Exceptions for curfew and passes are made for recovery related events, conventions, campouts, and retreats. 

All residents are expected to pay off any outstanding rent balances in order to move to phase 3. 

All residents are expected to have worked steps 1,2, and 3 with a sponsor in order to move into phase 3. 

Phase Three:

Once transitioned to phase 3 curfew extends to midnight on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Curfew is 1a, on Friday and Saturday. 

Residents are expected to start working a 4thstep with their sponsor. 

Residents remain in phase 3 until obtaining 6 months of residency and sobriety/clean time. 

Over-night passes are granted to twice a month as long as the pass is conducive to the resident’s recovery. 

Once the resident has completed steps 1-5 and have maintained 6 months of recovery/clean time they transition into Graduation. 

Grad Phase:

All graduates get a graduation party! Grads receive a Completion Certificate and a medallion in celebration of their many accomplishments. We celebrate you during family dinner and desert. 

All Grads are on 1am curfew Monday through Sunday. 

Overnight passes are more flexible. 

Grads are allowed to work over night jobs. 

Grads may be eligible for house management positions after 1 year of sobriety/clean time.

Healing House Alumni:

Alumni, who have a year clean or more, have the opportunity to sponsor new residents, and give back to their community. 

The Healing Houses  hold yearly Alumni events including but not limited to:

Alumni Speaker Meetings

The Annual Clean and Sober Thanksgiving Feast 

Sport Events

Superbowl Parties

Secret Santa Exchange

Family Dinner Nights 

House Managers will complete Orientation with resident immediately upon move in. House Managers will go over resident intake packet, give resident a tour, provide resident with a laundry hamper, bed linens, pillow, towel, wash cloth, shower caddy, a roll of toilet paper, and laundry soap. For indigent residents, House Managers will provide toiletries, clothing, and food. All clothing must be washed after intake. All resident’s belongings must be unpacked within their first 24 hours of moving in. 

· Abstain from the use of drugs and alcohol for your entire stay. Controlled or addictive substances are not allowed. This can include prescriptions, over the counter medication, or legal and illegal substances. _____

· Drug seeking behavior will not be tolerated. ____

· Submit a drug test and/or a breathalyzer whenever asked by staff. Failing or refusal to submit a drug/alcohol test will lead to immediate discharge. When asked to drug test, if the resident is unable to provide a urine sample, the resident must sit at the dining room table and drink water until able to do so. If this time limit exceeds 20 minutes, the resident will be discharged. _____

· All residents must be fully clothed at all times while in common areas and/or around other 

residents. All residents must wear under garments while in the living area. Sleeping nude is prohibited. All residents must sleep in appropriate attire. Residents are responsibly for personal grooming and appearance. All residents must bathe daily and maintain person hygiene ______

· Remain employed or be receiving financial assistance due to retirement, disability, or full-time school enrollment. If receiving financial assistance due to retirement or disability, be actively involved in volunteer work. Residents are encouraged to pay their own rent and maintain their own responsibilities. _____

· All residents who are unemployed must be out of the house on M-F between 10am and 2pm seeking employment or a volunteer commitment. ______

· PAY RENT ON TIME EVER WEEK IN FULL. Rent is due on Friday by 10pm. If rent is late, a fee of $10 will be charged daily or could lead to immediate discharge. _____

· Some types of employment are not conducive to recovery and will not be allowed.

This includes, but is not limited to, bars, alcohol sales, Strip clubs, casinos, phone rooms, smoke shops, commission-based jobs, and grave yard shift. Residents are responsible for ensuring their personal and employment schedules, adhere to the curfew policy, house meeting schedule, and their personal treatment plan with outside providers. NO JOBS BEFORE 5:00 AM and after 1:30am. Residents must provide their updated work schedule to House Manger. _____

· Residents are not to lend vehicles to other clients. Residents are not to drive any vehicle that is not registered and insured. Residents are not to drive any vehicle without a valid driver’s license. Residents cannot leave/abandon vehicles on property. If derelict vehicles are left on property they will be promptly removed/towed at the owner’s expense. _____

· Attend the MANDATORY WEEKLY house meeting every Sunday . _____

· Participate in Weekly Deep Clean Day every Sunday. ______

· Help to maintain the property by performing assigned chores. This responsibility

Is mandatory for all Residents in this program. Daily chores must be completed by 10:00 PM, manager inspection, and those chores delegated daily are to be performed in the allotted time frames. If chore is not completed and $10 chore fine will be due the same night. Continued and/or consistent noncompliance with this policy will lead to immediate discharge from the premises. Any chore assigned to a client is the assigned Residents sole responsibility and it is not permitted to pay another member to perform duties. _____

· Keep a clean, safe and orderly living environment. Assigned living quarters must be kept clean and organized at all times. _____

· The residents are not to make any changes to living quarters or property without permission. Any alteration of the physical construction of the premises and/or property damage (Holes in walls, interior decorating, altering entertainment and/or communication devices, disabling smoke alarms etc.) is not allowed. The consequence for such behavior could be any repair or replacement costs or dismissal from the program and or forfeit of prepaid program fees. _____

· Bedrooms: Keep bed neatly made, clothes washed, hung up and put away, dresser tops uncluttered, garbage emptied, and floors swept and/or vacuumed. Change and wash linens EVERY SUNDAY. No food allowed in any bedroom. Food is to be eaten in the kitchen or in the 2 dining room areas. _____

· Bathrooms: Clean and straighten up properly after use. Hang towels neatly on towel racks. Other than towels, no personal items are to be left in bathrooms. _____

· Kitchens: Counter tops must be kept free of clutter and wiped clean. Absolutely no dishes of any kind (plates, glasses, cups, silverware etc.) are to be left in the sink at any time. Clean up and put dishes away immediately after cooking meals. _____

· BURNING CANDLES, INCENSE AND/OR ANYTHING else that could pose a fire risk to property is strictly prohibited could result in expulsion from the program. _____

· Smoking is not permitted inside any HH home. Smoking is to be done on the front porch in designated smoking areas only and dispose of cigarette butts in the ashtrays provided. _____

· Treat the other residents and staff with dignity and respect at all times. This includes not taking any food or property belonging to other residents and staff without their permission. No stealing. _____

· Violence and abuse of any kind will not be tolerated and will lead to immediate discharge. This includes bullying, verbal abuse, physical abuse, and violent threats of any kind. The Healing Houses  will press charges for any physical acts of violence on property. ______

· Residents with cell phones must give the resident manager their cell number. _____

· All residents must sign up to GroupMe application and participate in our community group chat. All residents are responsible for responding to required community information on the GroupMe platform within the same 24 hours of the messages posted. All clients must check GroupMe on a daily basis. All clients must participate in “Group Me” group chat to ensure communication and serve as platform to express cares and concerns. _____

· Staff will NOT hold medications or handle any clients med distribution. Staff IS

allowed to ask any resident at any time to count their medication in front of staff if staff is suspicious of abuse. Take precaution when handling doctor prescribed medication. If a resident is taking prescription medication for a medical condition or illness, it is that residents’ responsibility to be accountable for those medications, to store them in a concealed manner and not leave the bottles or pills out in plain view. _____

· No sexual relations with other clients in the program will be tolerated. _____

· The opposite sex or romantic partners are not permitted on property without permission. _____

· Turn all the lights and appliances off when leaving any room. Do not tamper with the air conditioning unit. _____

· Be responsible and follow through on applying for, making appointments, and

attending appointments for any available and relevant social services, medical services, and or therapeutic services. (bus passes, food stamps, self-care, counseling etc.). _____

· Each resident is required to work a personal program of recovery to help build a strong foundation in recovery and a strong network in the recovery community. This means you must have a sponsor, start working the 12 steps, and home group within your first 2 weeks of stay. The sponsor must have a minimum of one-year continuous recovery. _____

· Attend a minimum of one 12-step meeting (AA, NA, CA, OA, Al-Anon etc.) per day until employment has been secured. After employment is secured, attend a minimum of 3 12- step meetings a week. Everyone must sign a weekly meeting sheet. _____

· Provide a detailed report of your meeting attendance and daily activities to house manger if requested. _____

· Obtain the literature for the 12-step fellowship(s) you attend. (AA Big Book, NA Basic Text etc.). _____

· Adhere to the program’s curfew policy. Every resident is on 8pm curfew for their first week and then is on 9pm curfew until they become employed. After employment is secured curfew is 10pm on weekdays and 11pm on weekends. Once a resident has obtained a sponsor, home group, and is paying their rent, their curfew is adjusted to 11pm on weekdays and 12pm on weekends. Consequences may include additional chores, loss of privileges or possible dismissal from the program. _____

· Overnight passes are not issued during the first 30 days in the program. Residents in good standing, that have met their requirements and responsibilities, may be eligible for an overnight pass. An overnight request form must be submitted to the house manager (a minimum of) 48 hours in advance of the request date. All fees must be paid, and chores must be done prior to leaving on the overnight pass. The resident should expect to be drug tested upon returning from an overnight stay. _____

· Lending or borrowing money between staff or residents is not permitted. ____

· Quiet time takes place at 10pm every night. This means the television is at volume 20, phone conversations need to be taken out back towards the fire pit, no music, no loud noises, etc. TV must be off by 1am. ___

· Residents are not to check the mailbox; the house manager will distribute mail by the end of the night. ____

· No one is allowed in another client’s room. _____

· Staff must respect neighbors, please see good neighbor policy _____

VIOLATIONS OF THESE RULES AND GUIDELINES MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF PRIVILEGES OR DISCHARGE. 

OUR GUIDELINES AND POLICIES ARE STRUCTURED TO PROMOTE SAFETY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. RESIDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO CONDUCT THEMSELVES IN A MANNER THAT IS IN ACCORDANCE HH MISSION STATEMENT. FINES MUST BE PAID PROMPTLY (WITHIN 24 HOURS) OR ADDITIONAL CONSEQUENCES MAY BE ADMINISTERED

ALL RESIDENTS WILL BE PROVIDED A SIGNED COPY OF HH HANDBOOK UPON REQUEST. THE HANDBOOK IS ALSO POSTED INT KITCHEN AREA. 

  Behaving in any of the following ways will without exception result in the immediate termination of residency at The Healing House. 

· Being under the influence of drugs (including Buprenorphine (Suboxone)* or alcohol.

· Being in possession of drugs, drug paraphernalia or alcohol.

· Testing positive for drugs and/or alcohol. 

· Abusing OTC or prescription medication/addictive substances. 

· Refusing to submit a U/A or a breathalyzer test when asked.

· Violence in any way towards HH staff, clients, or the neighbors.

· Being in possession of any type of weapon or firearm.

· Vandalizing or stealing any HH staff, resident,  and/or any neighbors’ property.

1. The primary obligation of Owners, Managers, Staff and Volunteers of Certified Residences is to respect the integrity and promote the welfare of the resident, whether the resident is assisted individually or in a community setting. In a community setting, Owners, Managers, Staff and Volunteers of Certified Residences are also responsible for taking reasonable precautions to protect individuals from physical and/or psychological trauma resulting from interaction within the Community

2. FARR Certified Residences shall ensure that in any community setting, staff, volunteers and visiting sponsors, recovery coaches and/or counselors set a norm of confidentiality regarding all community participants’ disclosures

3. FARR Certified Residences ensure that if a resident is or has been in a therapeutic relationship with professional person or entity, staff attempts to make contact with that professional person or entity after obtaining proper releases for the exchange of relevant information from the resident. These contacts or attempts to contact must be documented in the resident record

4. When it has been determined that the Resident’s needs are not being met at the current level of care/support, the Resident will be receiving the necessary assistance with residential placement in the appropriate level of care/ support. When it has been determined that the Resident’s needs are not being met at the current level of care/ support, the Resident will receive the necessary assistance with residential placement in the appropriate level of care/support.

5. Certified Residences should ensure that, if a resident’s condition indicates there is a clear and imminent danger to the resident or others, staff (per Certified Residence policy and procedure) alert first responders to address danger and risk and then apprise Recovery Residence supervisor/manager/administrator; staff should be trained to appreciate any and all imminent harm potential is beyond the scope of the Recovery Residences level of support and must be referred and deferred to professionals

6. Owners, Managers, Staff and Volunteers of Certified Residences refrain from any practice of intimation, bullying or otherwise threatening or discriminatory behavior; relying instead upon the appropriate, consistent and uniform application of written residence rules and consequences

7. No Owners, Managers, Staff and Volunteers of Certified Residences will solicit or accept any commission, fee, or any- thing of monetary value from residents, other related persons, or referral sources, including, but not limited to, the borrowing of money from a resident under any condition or circumstance (see Ethical Conflicts below)

8. Certified Residences ensure that if a resident’s condition deteriorates, i.e. relapse or psychological deterioration, referral and linkage to appropriate interventions will be made.

9. Certified Residences ensure fair and equitable financial policies and procedures pertaining to scholarships and repayment processes, i.e.

a. Scholarships: (Partial or Full) Residents are orientated to the type of scholarship and specifically what is and is not included in the scholarship. Orientation is acknowledged by resident signature and documentation is maintained in the resident file.

b. Repayment Structure: Certified Residences who structure a payment plan for admission and/or ongoing fees should ensure the payment plan is fair and equitable, and the resident is afforded the financial means to personally care for repayment.

c. Fees should be renegotiable if the resident’s financial ability is altered and in no way inhibit the resident from seeking alternative employment which would strengthen their wellbeing.

I will go to 12 step meetings. I will get a sponsor. I will get a home group. I will work all 12 steps. I will get phone numbers from other recovering addicts and build a support group.

 I will remain abstinent from all mood- and mind-altering substances and am willing to take a drug test at any time.

I will abide by my curfew. 

I will pay my rent.

I will get a Job that is conducive to recovery.

 I will not contact any old people who are negative towards my recovery or are using drugs/alcohol. 

I will maintain boundaries with any unhealthy people in my life and put recovery first. 

If I am struggling, I will reach out to my support and share in a meeting.

I will commit to a minimum of 90 days at The Healing House. 

I will not move out of The Healing House without a recovery supportive plan that I have discussed with my support group. 

I will attend all out necessary outside appointments that are conducive to my recovery and assist me with becoming a healthy productive member of society. 

 If applicable I will take my medication as prescribed and assist further care from the appropriate providers. 

Customers have questions, you have answers. Display the most frequently asked questions, so everybody benefits.

All residents should feel safe to report any grievance between themselves and another resident or staff without fear of reprisals. 

Policies are to be enforced in a fair and equal manner.

Grievance Forms are located in the common area. Fill out grievance form and submit to Housing Manger to be addressed if you prefer confidentiality. Grievance forms are located in the common area. 

A forum for discussing grievances or house issues will be provided at every weekly accountability meeting.

Intimidation or unfair policy enforcement will NOT be tolerated.

It is your right to contact FARR with any grievances. 

FARR Contact Information

326 W. Lantana Rd. Unit 1

Lantana, FL 33462

Office :( 561) 299-0405

Fax :( 888) 374-2043

http://farronline.info/grievance

FARR GRIEVANCE POLICY

It is the policy of The Florida Association of Recovery Residences (FARR) to ensure Certified Residences and stakeholders’ grievances are handled respectfully, appropriately, and professionally.

The Formal Grievance Procedure should be used to resolve interpersonal conflict between individuals and to report issues with existing FARR policy that a Certified Residence believes should be examined prior to the next scheduled annual policy review meeting.

The Formal Grievance Procedure should not be used for retribution or personal/agency gain.

The Formal Grievance Procedure includes but is not limited to the investigation, validation, and recommendation of the Ethics Committee as to the standing of the Certified Residence and sanctions and/or disqualification of their certification to the FARR Board, when necessary.

Formal Grievance Procedure

Confidentiality of Proceedings

1. All information, notes, reports, transcripts, and any other documentation of any kind that are generated or received during the course of an ethics investigation, including the ethics committee meetings, and appeal hearings, shall be kept confidential by FARR.

2. The respondent is entitled to a full and complete copy of the following:

1. Compliant; (Subject of compliant / grievance; Identity of complainant / grievant will remain confidential);

2. Investigative summary;

3. Ethics Committee’s Recommendations;

4. FARR Executive Board Recommendations

The complainant is entitled to a full and complete copy of the following:

1. Ethics Committee’s Recommendations;

2. FARR Executive Board Recommendations.

Oversight and Conflict of Interest

1. In all cases, the Chairman of the FARR Ethics Committee will direct ethics investigations under the supervision of the FARR Executive Director;

2. If a member of the Ethics Committee is a party in a grievance or involved in any way, he or she will be excused from the grievance proceedings;

3. If a member of the FARR Executive Board is a party in a grievance or involved in any way, he or she will be excused from the grievance proceedings

Sanctions

1. Possible sanctions for the violation of the FARR Code of Ethics or Standards include but are not limited to:

1. Written Reprimand: A Written Reprimand with request for Corrective Action and follow-up review;

2. Summary Suspension: Summary Suspension with request for Corrective Action and follow-up review;

3. Revocation;

4. Denial of Application for Certification with FARR.

2. The Ethics Committee may consider the applicant’s or agencies past history in regard to ethical sanctions and disciplinary actions when determining the appropriate sanctions for the current ethics case.

3. A third offense, confirmed by the Ethics Committee, in a two-year period will automatically result in an immediate summary suspension and sanctions shall include a suspension or revocation of Certification.

The Formal Grievance Process

It’s important to follow the grievance or complaint procedures carefully and to document all pertinent facts, dates and information when filing a report or claim.

Step 1: Filing

A Formal Grievance should be filed within 30 days of when the complaint became aware or suspected the violation of ethics or standards. The Formal Grievance should be documented on the FARR Formal Grievance Form; Verbal grievances will not be acted upon.

Step 2: Submission

The FARR Formal Grievance Form should be submitted to the Executive Director of FARR, or if a perceived conflict exists, to the Chairman of the FARR Ethics Committee;

Step 3: Notification of Receipt

Grievant should be notified by email or telephone within 3 business days of the Executive Director’s receipt of the grievance. The Executive Director of FARR forwards a copy of the Grievance to the Chairman of the FARR Ethics Committee for review and discussion;

Step 4: Investigation

Within 30 days of receipt of the written compliant, the FARR Ethics Committee will complete an objective investigation of the matter and record the findings in writing;
An extension of no more than 30 days may be granted for investigations that take longer than the initial 30-day timeframe. No member of the Ethics Committee or Executive Committee shall intentionally try to stall, prolong, or delay proceedings. The

complainant /grievant and / or respondent may be requested to appear separately in front of the Ethics Committee. Written notice of the time and date will be sent to the grievant at least 10 days prior to the hearing.

Step 5: Presentation to the Board

FARR Ethics Committee presents to the FARR Executive Committee at the next scheduled meeting. The presentation shall include the compliant / grievance; investigation summary including an objective account of everything that transpired to
result in the grievance and as well as anything that have occurred as a result of the grievance, and the recommended action to be taken;

Step 6: Board Decision / Recommendations

FARR Board of Directors will discuss and make a formal recommendation for vote at the next general meeting. A report of the findings, voting results, and corrective actions to be taken will be provided to the grievant via email within 14 business days after the general meeting. The proceedings will be recorded in general meeting minutes to keep official record;