DEBORAH’S HOUSE

Safety Rules/ Policies

The following list of safety rules/policies outlines expected behaviors of Deborah’s House residents. These policies/behavior expectations are in place to ensure the safety of all people residing on the campus of Providence Place and the transformation of the lives of Deborah’s House.

12 STEP PROGRAM

  • A 12 Step Program (AA, NA, SAA) is a requirement at Deborah’s House, as is a sponsor from the 12 Step Program.
  • Failure to join and regularly attend a 12 Step Program will be a cause for dismissal.

SECURITY

  • Deborah’s House is designed to afford personal privacy and security for its residents. Safety is our utmost concern.
  • Exercise care when walking on or off Providence Place campus.
  • Lock doors and don’t share keys.
  • The front door to the house will be locked from 12:00 AM until 6:00 AM every day.
  • No access will be granted after the doors are locked at 12 midnight
  • If work schedules require a later entry, this must be cleared by the Administrator.

AUTHORIZATION TO RELEASE INFORMATION

  • Please provide a list and contact information for your medical/mental health providers and/or case managers.
  • Deborah’s House’s concern is for your health and overall well-being, and we must be able to check-in with your providers or case managers to confirm appointments, medications, etc. We are NOT interested in the privileged conversations held between you and your counselors or physicians.

SMOKING & FLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES

  • No smoking in the house or in any of the buildings on the campus.
  • Smoking is permitted in designated areas only. PROVIDENCE PLACE IS MOVING TOWARD BEING A SMOKE-FREE CAMPUS.
  • Residents are strongly encouraged to quit, by available medications and programs.
  • Candles, incense, or any other flammable substances or open flames are prohibited.

ALCOHOL AND ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES

  • Possession and/or use of alcohol and all illegal substances are strictly forbidden and will result in expulsion.
  • Re-admission will be considered after Resident completes another 90-day inpatient recovery program.

WEAPONS

  • No weapons of any kind are allowed in Deborah’s House or on campus.
  • No-notice random searches will be conducted by Providence Place security.
  • Illegal weapons (defined by TSA criteria) will be confiscated and client expelled.

HARM TO SELF OR OTHERS

  • Suicide attempts require ER evaluation and psychiatric care.
  • Assaults will be managed by immediate 911 call, arrest, expulsion and prosecution.

SEXUAL ACTIVITY

  • There will be no sexual or intimate activity while residing at Deborah’s House
  • No men are allowed in Deborah’s House or on the property.
  • No sleeping with others in Deborah’s House.
  • We strongly discourage sexual or intimate relationships with others during recovery.
  • NOTE: Pregnancy will be cause for dismissal from Deborah’s House.

VISITORS

  • Visitors for Deborah’s House residents are restricted to assigned mentors.
  • No visitors are allowed in the House (apartment).
  • No male visitors are allowed at any time

PETS

  • No pets of any kind are allowed
  • Do not feed or handle stray pets on campus

CURFEW

  • All residents must be inside the house by 10:00 pm week days, midnight Friday and Saturday
  • If you have a job that requires you to come in after curfew you must obtain written permission from the Executive Director or Resident Manager.

OVERNIGHT NOTICE

  • Resident must fill out the Overnight Notice form with the date time of departure AND the date & time of return or text the information to DH for approval.
  • Provide a telephone number and where you and your family can be reached in case of an emergency.
  • Late returns must report to the Administrator

CARS

  • Residents who have a valid driver’s license and current proof of insurance may have a car with current inspection on campus.
  • A signed release gives TPUMC and Providence Place the right for random inspections for alcohol, illegal drugs and weapons.
  • Park in assigned spot at Deborah’s House.

CARE OF VALUABLES

  • Providence Place and Deborah’s House cannot be responsible for the loss of valuable which are not properly protected.
  • Do not loan personal items, such as clothes, CDs, etc., as they may not be returned.
  • Providence Place and Deborah’s House are not responsible for retrieving lost or stolen items.
  • A Resident may bring any personal items that will fit in her closet, chest of drawers and under her bed. Boxes must be stored in the closet or under the bed.

WORK

  • Residents will be required to be at a job,training full-time, seeking employment or at school.
  • Arrange your own transportation.
  • Work schedules must be shared with the Administrator and posted at DH.
  • Submit pay stub to validate employment.

GROUP MEETINGS

  • Genesis Process Group is mandatory and held weekly, facilitated by a Genesis-trained facilitator or your mentor.

RELIGIOUS SERVICES

  • Deborah’s House is a faith-based organization and expects each resident to attend a religious service of her choice each week, confirmed by someone from your house of worship.

TOURS

  • Providence Place is supported financially by many different individuals & organizations. Occasionally these supporters visit the campus to see firsthand where their money goes.
  • Staff will notify you beforehand when a tour of the House is scheduled to occur.
  • You may be asked to open your apartment in order to be viewed during the tour. If this occurs, you reserve the right to say no and we will respect your privacy.

INSPECTIONS AND LICENSING

  • As a licensed agency, Providence Place must adhere to Standards put forth by the State of Texas. As a House there are specific Standards that must always be up-to-date. As a resident, you are required to assist in maintaining these Standards (this handbook is your outline of Standards that apply to you).
  • Your Resident Manager will notify you of changes to Standards. This is important because representatives of the State of Texas come to Providence Place on “unannounced visits” to examine the House. If such a representative asks to see your apartment your cooperation is a requirement.

I______, have read, understand and have received a copy of the

Deborah’s House Resident

safety rules and policies. Further, I understand that failure to comply with the safety rules/policies may result in my termination from Deborah’s House.

______

Administrator -- Deborah’s House Date Deborah’s House Resident Date