` SIL CLIENT HANDBOOK All material is copyright protected. Duplication with permission is strictly prohibited.
Welcome to the Supervised Independent Living (SIL) Program. We are glad to have you here and we are looking forward to helping you to learn the skills you need to know to solve your own problems and, eventually, be able to live on your own. Please take the time to read this packet thoroughly and ask questions if there is anything you don t understand. Core Values A value is an idea or belief that you live by. While you are at the SIL Program, we will be teaching you some values that we believe are important. You may already share these values. If so, that s great. You are a step ahead. You also may not agree with these values. That s o.k. too. The important thing to remember is that these values work for a lot of people and they may work for you if you are willing to keep an open mind. The Core Values of the SIL Program are: 1. It is important to work. 2. Living is learning. 3. Bring energy to everything you do. 4. Have a sense of tolerance. 5. Learn to forgive. 6. Learn to accept alternatives. 7. Look out for your fellow brother. Be your brother s keeper If you learn to do these things while you are at the SIL Program, you will have a great chance to succeed in whatever you do after you leave the program. These values are the most important part of our program. You will hear them often throughout your stay here. Program Description During your first day at the SIL Program, you will study this packet and work on learning how the program works. You will receive a physical examination sometime during the first week you are here unless you are a transfer from the Manos House Program. During the first thirty days you are at the SIL Program, you will not be allowed to leave the house without a staff member, unless you are attending the Manos School next door or some other type of training program. If you are entering the program after completing Manos House s program, you will be eligible to leave the facility sooner. During this time we will concentrate on your intake, orientation, assessment, and treatment planning. You will be assigned to a primary counselor and will meet with him or her at least once a week for an hour. You will also participate in a group therapy session and a support meeting at least once a week. As a client here, you have the right to call a meeting if you feel there is a problem that needs to be solved. Once you achieve level 1 status you will be allowed to get a job, attend support meetings within the community, and access community resources. These meetings will need to be approved by staff. Your counselor and or the program director must approve any free time outside of the SIL building. When you meet with your counselor, you must have a list of places you would like to go during your free time. Your counselor will approve whatever both you and your counselor feels is appropriate and gives you a pass to leave the building for these activities. You must always have a specific place you want to go to in order to receive a pass.
For example, if you ask to chill with my boys on Friday night, your counselor will not approve the pass. You have a better chance of receiving a pass if you ask to go to a movie from 6PM until 9PM with my friends Fred and Joe. You will be finished with the SIL Program and ready to live on your own when you have completed the Requirements for Completing Treatment that are listed on a different page in this packet. After you leave treatment, you will be contacted by your counselor to see if you need further help in living on your own. Please remember: you are not locked up here. We care about you and we are here to help you. When we correct you or discipline you, we are only trying to help you. Please take it as this, not as staff giving you a hard time. A Word on Responsibility The SIL Program is different than many other programs you may have heard about or been through. One major difference is that you are responsible for yourself. We do not lock you up and keep you away from the community. This means that you have FREEDOM. You do not have complete and total freedom, because there are rules here that you have to follow. You will find, however, that no one ever has complete freedom. All of us have limits to our freedom. These limits may be laws, our boss s rules, company policies, or limits we put on ourselves, but they are still limits. Having said all of that, it is important that you have a lot more freedom than many young people in other programs have. With this freedom comes RESPONSIBILITY. This means that you have to learn to be responsible for yourself, or, to put it in other words, you have to learn to take care of yourself. This means that the staff at the SIL Program will not take away problems you make for yourself, although we will try to help you learn to solve them yourself. For example: if you are scheduled to work at 8AM on Saturday and you wake up at 8:30 AM and miss the bus, staff will not drive you to work. Since you are responsible for yourself, you need to find a way to get to work. It is not the staff person s responsibility to get you to work-it S YOUR S. This doesn t mean that staff will never help you or do a favor for you; just that we will not bail you out when you are irresponsible. Making mistakes is how all of us learn important lessons and we do not want to keep you from learning. In the example above, if staff took you to work, you might never learn how important it is to learn to get up on your own. Why bother, when someone else will fix your mistakes for you. It sounds nice, but real life is not like that.
Client Schedule Your schedule at the SIL Program will be determined for the most part by you. Your schedule will vary depending on the hours you work, go to meetings, attend classes, and are granted passes. In order to have an effective program; however, there are a few mandatory schedule items each week. All other activities you are involved in must take place around these items. A client must attend a minimum of 1 of the following meetings a week. If a client is inhouse during the meeting time, they also must attend unless excused by staff: Any group absences must have staff approval. Tuesdays: 1:30pm 2:30pm Group Therapy Session (Subject to change) Wednesday: 7:15am-8:15am Group Therapy Session (Subject to change) Please note- there may be other meetings offered which will require your attendance. Thursdays: there will be an AA meeting @ 8:00PM in-house. If a client does Not attend, they must have a reasonable alternative approved by staff. Wednesdays: there will be an opportunity for an outside support meeting in the local community from 8pm-9pm * See level sheet for your required meetings
House Rules October 2009 1. Drugs, alcohol, or drug paraphernalia smuggled into the facility will result in an automatic discharge 2. No terroristic threats, no sexually explicit or gang-affiliated speech. 3. No pornography. 4. No weapons, including knives. 5. Smoking permitted only in the rear of the building at the designated smoke post and approved by staff on duty. The last smoke break is designated to be 15 minutes before the individual client s bedtime. Last smoke breaks are as follows: Level 0-9:30pm, level 1-10pm, level 2-11pm, level 3-11:45pm. 6. No sexual or indecent acts. Proper attire is required throughout the house. 7. No self-mutilation 8. Return to the facility on time from passes. If you are going to be late you must call the facility immediately and speak with staff. Leave a message if staff cannot be reached. Sign back in after returning to facility. Not signing in or out may result in loss of program privileges. 9. No stealing. 10. Bedtime is based upon your Level. Lights must be out, but quietly talking or quietly listening to the radio is permitted. Clients are to be awakened to alarm clocks. 11. All cable television stations are permitted; however, if a staff member feels a channel is inappropriate, it will be asked to be turned. 12. No CDs or cassette tapes are permitted to be used or in the possession of clients unless one is leaving on a pass. Clients may have radios in their possession but may only listen to the radio. NO personal CD s and cassette tapes to be played in SIL unless approved by clinical staff. Laptops may be used in formal living room or direct supervision from staff. Laptops are to be kept in staff offices when not in use. Clients may take them with them when leaving on an approved pass. Violation of the rule may result in loss of laptop privilege. Ipods and MP-3 players are not allowed in-house. 13. No gambling. 14. Telephone calls must be made from the payphone unless otherwise authorized by staff. The telephone may be used between 7am-8:45pm daily. 15. Physical violence is not permitted. 16. All money accrued while in the SIL Program must be reported to staff. No ATM cards are permitted to be in the possession of or used by clients. The majority of this money must be placed in an interest-bearing account. Any paychecks must be turned in to a staff member prior to being cashed. Only Counselors may approve dispensation of money/gift cards to clients. Clients can only have money on their persons with approval of staff. 17. Chores are to be completed properly and checked by the Chore Coordinator and Staff on-duty before clients are permitted to leave the facility. Chores need to be completed no later than 7:00am and chore inspection by 7:10am in order to obtain the morning smoke break, 10am/10:10am on weekends and holidays. 18. No cell phones, walkie talkies, or pagers permitted. Level 2 or above may have cell phone stored in staff office for their use once they leave on approved pass. Cell phone privileges for level 2 s or above are on an individual basis with approval needed from their Primary Counselor and Program Director. They must return the phone to staff upon returning from pass. Violation of the rule may result in loss of cell phone privileges. 19. All personal belongings are the responsibility of the owner. D.A.R.S. is not responsible for your belongings. 20. Clients may be subjected to a strip search and urine sample upon returning to the facility from a pass. 21. Curfew is at 9pm everyday unless on a pass. October-April curfew is at 7pm. Doors will be armed by 7:30pm. during the April- October season, clients are permitted to be out as late as 9pm on the premises with staff approval 22. Bedrooms are off limits Monday through Friday from 7:15am-7:30pm unless approved by staff. 23. The emergency door on the 2 nd floor should only be used for emergencies, groceries, trash, and on weekends with staff approval. 24. No communication with people/persons off property in the surrounding properties. Clients must immediately contact staff if an unexpected visitor is on the premises without visitation approval.
Mealtime Rules 1. All clients in the SIL facility must eat lunch and dinner at the same time. All clients must sit at the dining table for meals whether one eats or not. 2. An approved menu must be followed. 3. Food should be saved for clients who are out of the facility that make the proper request. They need to inform staff for a saveback or a written request posted on the bulletin board on the second floor. 4. All leftovers must be placed properly in storage containers and saved for further use. 5. Take what you want, but eat everything you take. 6. All food, utensils, plates, trash, etc must be removed immediately after the meal by each client. 7. All meals and snacks may only be eaten in the dining room area. 8. Foods should be placed in serving bowls and placed on the table when cooking has been completed. (Food should not be dished from the stove or from cooking pots and pans in the kitchen. It is important that we take time and eat together.) All clients and staff members should then observe a moment of silence during which a prayer may be said. SIL Aspirations The following are aspirations, which are areas that both the client and SIL staff recognizes as being imperative to facilitate personal change. Any aspiration that a client consistently struggles to make a valid effort to address in their treatment may be subject to consequences and or discharge (minimum treatment compliance). 1. Remain drug and alcohol free. 2. Use appropriate language. Valid effort to avoid using profanity 3. Follow staff directives. 4. Respect your fellow peers, community members, and staff members. 5. Respect other people s property. 6. Rough play or horseplay is frowned upon. Any damage done as a result of horseplay or rough play, the guilty party will be monetarily responsible. 7. Clients should desire to attend AA/NA meetings. If not, alternative support groups or activities should be pursued with primary counselor. 8. Any new tattoos, body piercings, brandings, etc. must be discussed with SIL clinical staff to determine appropriateness.
SOP 709.51 (a) (3) Supervised Independent Living Program Subject: Requirements for Completion of Treatment The SIL Program is by design a self-paced, individualized treatment experience. As such, requirements for the completion of treatment vary depending on the goals and needs of the individual. There are, however, basic requirements that must be fulfilled before a client is discharged from the program. These are as follows: 1. The client must be employed on a full-time basis, be enrolled in a full-time educational program, or spend 40 or more hours per week engaged in a combination of educational and employment activities. 2. The client must have secured an independent residence or resolved family issues. 3. The client must have sufficient funds to make the transition to independent life in the community. 4. The client must have at least three months of abstinence from any substance abuse. 5. The client must have an identified Twelve Step home group and a sponsor or an equivalent degree of support in the community (e.g. participation in out-patient counseling, support of a religious institution, etc.) 6. The client must have constructed a viable aftercare plan in collaboration with his counselor. Any of the above requirements may be waived by the program director if doing so is deemed to be in the best interest of a client.
Level System LEVEL 0 Responsibilities Less than 4 weeks in Program Attend support meetings or reasonable alternatives with primary counselor Complete chore properly & without staff prompting on time Step, Big Book,or treatment assignments approved by primary counselor No passes (unless with Counselor or special circumstances authorized by counselor) 9:45pm bedtime (wake-up and chore completed by 7:00am) (wakeup and chore completed on weekends by 10am) Earned Privileges Television Outside recreation Manos School/GED classes by self Weekend Activities with staff *If a client is at Level 0 for 6 weeks, there will be a review of the case for potential discharge *If a client is demoted to a level 0 from level 1, 2, or 3, this person does not get outside privileges unless authorized by clinical staff. LEVEL 1 Responsibilities Attend in house meeting and/or other meetings w/ staff approval -time of meetings and supervision will be determined by primary counselor Complete chore properly & without staff prompting on time Step, Big Book,or treatment assignments approved by primary counselor Obtain & maintain job for 2 weeks (30+ hours per week, including school) 10:15pm bedtime, wake-up and chore completed by 7am (10am on weekends) Earned Privileges Manos School/GED by self Job hunting with staff, or by self if staff approved. Outside recreation on SIL Premises Attend 1 religious service per week (See counselor for requirements) employment *If a client is at Level 1 for 10 weeks, there will be a review of the case for potential discharge LEVEL 2 Responsibilities Attend in house meeting and or any other meeting w/ staff approval Obtain a sponsor if applicable Never say, It s not my job Complete chore properly & without staff prompting by 7:00am Step, Big Book, or treatment assignments approved by staff Maintain job/c.s. for 2weeks (30+ hours per week) school hrs. count 11:00pm bedtime, wake-up and chore completed by 7am (10:00am on weekends) LEVEL 3 Responsibilities Attend in house meeting and or outside meetings Obtain a sponsor if applicable Complete chore properly & without staff prompting on time Step, Big Book, or treatment assignments from primary counselor Maintain job (30+ hours per week)- school hrs count Foster fellow clients growth & set a positive example Never say It s not my job 12:00pm bedtime, wake- up and chore completed by 7:00am wake-up and chore competed by 10am weekends Earned Privileges Television Outside recreation Manos School/GED classes by self Employment/ community service I-4hr recreation pass 1 three-hour family pass 1 four-hour religious pass (see counselor for requirements) Earned Privileges Television Manos School/GED classes by self Employment, support meetings 2 four-hour rec passes, 2 three-hour family passes, 1 four-hour religious pass per week Recreation Passes will be awarded to all levels except level zeros and level 1 s. A resident will need to submit a request to his primary counselor, which will then be forwarded to other staff members for their approval. If approved, the resident will complete the necessary form with his primary counselor. All passes are earned by positive program involvement and attitude. Home Passes will be awarded to Level 2 s and Level 3 s. You will need to submit a request to your primary counselor at least 10 days in advance to the date you would like to go on the home pass. The pass will then be approved or rejected based on all available staff s input. Lastly, client transportation irresponsibility may effect levels. A level 1 is permitted to miss a bus, be late for work requiring a ride from staff, etc., two times; however, a therapeutic consequence will ensue. After two, an automatic one week level freeze will be implemented. A level 2 with the same irresponsibility will receive a one week level freeze. A second miss or problem will be a level drop for one week. A level 3 with the same irresponsibility will receive a level drop for one week. A second miss will be a two week level freeze.
**** Any relapse into drugs or alcohol will greatly effect the time frames at each level. An individual that relapses will be required to have 30 days clean prior to going on any type of day pass, home pass and/or level advancement**** Work passes will be decided on a case to case basis.