Document Contents
PROGRAM INTRODUCTION
Maude Carpenter Children’s Home Intensive Life Skills program is a residential independent living program for females between the ages of 16 and 21. The program is designed for you to learn the necessary skills to become independent while maintaining adult supervision. Learning responsibility is an important aspect of the program. As a resident of the program, you are responsible for your personal items and you will be given the opportunity to have those items in a secure location. MCCH is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
- You must be sixteen years of age or older.
- You must be physically, mentally and emotionally capable of participating in an ILS program.
- You must participate in an Educational or Vocational program.
- You will participate in a telephone or personal interview.
- You will have demonstrated a readiness to be part of the Intensive Life Skills program.
- You will be free from active drug use or alcohol usage or actively be involved in treatment.
- You will be willing to comply with the rules and regulations of the program.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Learning to live on your own can be scary, confusing and stressful. It is also something to really look forward to. ILS can give you the tools you will need to successfully transition into adult life. The goal of our ILS program is to give you the opportunity to develop resources you will need to live independently. ILS gives you a chance to learn and practice independent living skills, while still having access to an adult support person. Education, job skills, time and money management, decision making and knowledge of your community are just the basics of the necessary skills you will want to have to become truly independent.
Decision Making Skills
- What are you goals?
- Establish your career path.
-
Determine your success in completion of ILS.
-
What are your values and how do they affect your life?
Social Skills and Communication
- The importance of working together.
-
How to work with others.
-
Communication skills on the job and at home.
Work Experience and Computer Skills
- How to create a resume.
-
How to fill out an application. There is a right way and a wrong way.
-
How to dress and act during an interview.
-
The importance of attendance, promptness, cleanliness, and a strong work ethic.
-
How to keep record of your employment history.
-
How to quit a job.
-
How to develop references.
-
How to use Microsoft Word and other computer applications.
Money and Time Management
- How to develop a realistic budget (that includes the little surprises of life).
-
How to keep a savings account.
-
Priority purchasing (do you really need an extra treat).
-
How to manage your leisure and work time.
Home Responsibility
- Meal preparation
-
Nutrition
-
Planning meals and grocery shopping.
-
The importance of home safety and security.
-
House keeping and why you should keep it clean.
Pre-Parenting Skills
- The importance of pre-natal care.
-
What it feels like to be pregnant.
-
How to take care of a helpless baby.
INTAKE PROCEDURE
The intake procedure is designed to allow you to be involved. At this time all of the necessary paperwork will be completed. Staff will discuss with you program policies and procedures, as well as discuss the cottage rules and consequences.
THE PROGRAM
All residents will begin the Intensive Life Skills Program with an orientation meeting with the Cottage Mom and Case Manager. During this meeting, you will be given a handbook and packet of information. Feel free to ask any questions at this time. All those participating in our ILS program will be required to do the following:
- Complete required hours of Basic Life Skills Training (TBA).
- Demonstrate an understanding of program rules and guidelines.
- Obtain verifiable employment and make appropriate savings deposits (50% of each paycheck).
- Attend public school or work towards GED as required.
- Check on and schedule all necessary doctors, dental and eye appointments.
- Respect self, staff and peers.
- Obtain your Social Security Card and birth certificate
- Get a State ID or driver’s license.
- Complete required items on Portfolio list.
- Be responsible for completing tasks and being on time for school and work.
- Develop a reliable, approved written transportation plan.
- Develop a written budget plan.
You will be required to complete 1 hour of life skills training courses per week. You will be given a schedule of these courses ahead of time and it is your responsibility to be there. Failure to do so will result in loss of privileges to be determined by the cottage parent. Missing more than 2 hours of training will result in one week of house restriction and completing the missed hours with staff.
HOUSE EXPECTATIONS
Curfew
House curfew will be as follows:
Sunday through Saturday: 8:00 pm, if unemployed
Sunday through Thursday: 10:00 pm, if employed
Friday and Saturday: Midnight
The Cottage Parent(s) reserves the right to extend curfew for special occasions on an individual basis and for cottage outings.
You must be in your room by down hall time of 10 pm (midnight on Friday and Saturday) and in bed and lights out 30 minutes later. The 30 minutes means you are quiet and preparing for bed, not coming out of your room or making noise. If you have to be redirected for this, you may lose the 30 minutes at the Cottage Parent(s) discretion. If you have a job which keeps you out past curfew, down hall time is immediate upon return to the cottage.
Failure to comply with curfew requirement and down hall time will result in an earlier curfew and down hall time of 1 hour earlier. If this continues, then earlier times may be imposed and possible HR.
House Responsibilities
We want the cottage to feel like your "home away from home". We want you to take pride in the house and grounds. You will be assigned a house responsibility and may be asked to help with yard work or other home maintenance projects. Chores such as these come with the territory of independent living, and we expect you will understand that and help with these tasks. Failure to complete house responsibilities in a timely or satisfactory manner will result in consequences including, but not limited to loss of privileges, loss of weekend curfew, and meeting with the case manager, or your parent being notified that you are not working the program. Repeated failure to do so will result in consequences deemed appropriate by Cottage Parent(s).
Chores are to be done immediately after school, by 11 am on Saturday, and immediately after church on Sunday. You will complete the chore independently to the satisfaction of the House Parent(s) or the chore will be redone until acceptable. This may mean being late to the next scheduled activity such as work.
You are expected to clean up after yourself. You are responsible for doing your own laundry. If you start a load of laundry, you much finish it. If clothes are left unattended in the washer or dryer they may be confiscated, unless approved by the Cottage Parent(s). Also, bedrooms and bathrooms must be acceptable by the Cottage Parent(s) before leaving for school.
Daily Schedule
You will have a schedule you need to follow, such as chores, school, work, therapy, etc. Failure to follow any item on the schedule without permission to be excused will result in consequences.
If you fail to attend a scheduled therapy, consequences will be imposed by the Cottage Parent(s) and you will be escorted to the session by the Cottage Parent(s) or designated staff.
Pass requests must be submitted by Tuesday at 5 pm, no exceptions. A Pass Form must be completed by your parent or guardian while on pass and returned to the Cottage Parent(s) upon your return.
You are required to comply with kitchen hours to be determined by the Cottage Parent(s). Clear liquids will be allowed in resident rooms, but no other food or drink items will be allowed in cottage bedrooms.
Phones
The cottage phone will be available for use by resudents any day with no incoming calls after 9:00 pm. Phone conversations should be limited to a reasonable time frame and without an excessive amount of time spent on the phone durinmg the day or week.
You will be permitted to carry a personal cell phone while in our program. You will be responsible for your own bill and the phone itself. Do not leave it out where it can be stolen. The Cottage Parent(s) has the discretion to take any phone away if you are disruptive to your roommate or other cottage residents while using it, or if it becomes a disruption in any way. This is a privilege and we expect you to treat it as such.
If you are on a cell phone restriction and are found using another person's cell phone, that phone will be confiscated and you risk the loss of your phone while at MCCH.
If you refuse to give up your cell phone when asked by a staff member for any reason, your phone will be confiscated and you may not have a cell phone or use of someone else’s for the remainder of your time at MCCH.
Cars
You will be allowed use of your car while in our program upon approval of the Director. A valid Kansas driver’s license, proper tags, registration, and insurance will be necessary and on file before a car is allowed to be on campus in your name. You are to obey all Kansas Motor Vehicle traffic laws which also apply on the grounds at MCCH. Any violation of the motor vehicle rule will result in your keys being taken for one week and you are not allowed to drive a motor vehicle, yours or anyone else's.
You are not to give rides to MCCH residents or allow anyone else to drive your vehicle.
Keep your keys in a safe place, as MCCH will not be responsible for stolen vehicles. You are to park in the MCCH Retirement Community lot only.
If you do not have your own car, then you are responsible for finding your own ride to school, work and social activities.
Church Services
Residents will be attending church services with the cottage on Sunday morning and Sunday and Wednesday nights. The Cottage Parent(s) will be attending services and will be able to take you to and from church. This is part of the program and you are required to attend Sunday morning service and at least one evening service each week. If you are not working, you are required to attend every church service. If you are working directly after church service, you may drive yourself to church so you may leave directly for work after the service.
You are expected to be ready to leave 30 minutes prior to the assembly time without being prompted. You are expected to be respectful while attending church. This means no talking, doodling, laughing, sleeping, must sit up straight, no slouching, leaving the class room or the auditorium. Failure to comply with this will result in consequences determined by Cottage Parent(s).
School Attendance
You are required to attend every hour of every school day, this includes GED students. If you have homework, you must do this on a daily basis. You may be involved in school activities if you have passing grades. Maintaining good grades show maturity and dedication to improving yourself through education.
- You must maintain a C or better on progress or report cards to continue the privilege of having your cell phone and your vehicle.
- Any D's will result in your being placed on Study Time, which requires you to be working on your school assignments. It will be the Cottage Parent(s) discretion if you will continue to have the use of your vehicle and/or cell phone.
- If you have any F's, then you will be placed on HR for a period of time determined by the Cottage Parent(s) and the Cottage Parent(s) will contact the school in order to monitor your grades and be informed when your grades have improved.
Absences from school will not be tolerated. Community service may be assigned. No passes or curfew extensions will be allowed until regular school attendance is held for 2 weeks.
GED students must work 15 hours per week on their GED school work if required to work 40 hours a week at their job. If working under 40 hours a week, more GED school time will be required at the discretion of the House Parent(s).
Work Expectations
Full time school students must work 15 hours per week during school and 30 hours per week summer. You must be working or making an attempt to find a job. Upon getting a job, you must give the Cottage Parent(s) information regarding the job including supervisor's name, company name, address, phone numbers and schedules.
When employed, we trust that you will be at work when you say you are at work. If a problem arises with your job, we trust that you will make every effort to personally work it out with your supervisor.
You are required to be there according to your agreement with your employer. If you need to be late or miss a day of work, you must make these arrangements with your employer and notify the Cottage Parent(s).
The day you receive your paycheck, work hours and pay amount will be verified by the check stub. You must turn in half of the money to the Cottage Parent(s) to be put into your savings account. A savings account with dual signatures for withdrawals will be required. Arrangements with the Cottage Parent(s) must be made if you need to make a withdrawal from your savings account. A monthly budget based on income or money spent will be kept to help you learn to be responsible with your money. Failure to comply with these arrangements may also result in HR and the possibility of being asked to leave the program.
Failure to follow your employer's agreement may result in the loss of your job and a poor reference for future employment. Also, if work has not been obtained within a reasonable amount of time, you may be asked to leave the programs. If you do quit your job, you will give two weeks notice in writing. If you fail to give 2 weeks notice of termination of employment, you will be placed on house restriction for 3 days. After serving the 3 days of house restriction, you will be place on curfew until other employment is obtained or alternate responsibilities are arranged.
MCCH Functions
You are required to attend all MCCH functions. You will be given ample notice to ask off from work. Failure to do so will result in being placed on HR for a time determined by the Cottage Parent(s).
Other Expectations
When leaving the cottage, you are required to sign-out to a name, address, phone number, give the time leaving, given an estimated return time, and sign-in using actual time upon returning to the cottage.
You must respect yourself and other people including your cottage mates. No sarcasm, intimidation, ganging up on another individual, rude comments, whispering, etc. If you have an issue with someone, then you need to address this with the individual or leave it alone. If you are not able to address this ona one-on-one, then you need to ask the Cottage Parent(s) to be present. Failuture to follow through with the above will result in room time until you are able to resolve the situation. Other consequences may be imposed if the behavior continues.
Proper language will be used and no profanity, yelling, slamming doors, etc. You are expected to verbalize your anger, frustration, etc., in a calm manner to resolve the situation, failure to do this will be result in 15 minute room time or until you are able to talk with the Cottage Parent(s) in a calm manner and discuss what is going on. This includes your conduct with anyone parents, staff, therapists, etc. No verbal or physical aggression is allowed. If this happens then you will be placed on HR for a time determined by the Cottage Parent(s).
Proper clothing is to be worn in and outside the cottage. If the Cottage Parent(s) feels your dress is not appropriate, you will be asked to change.
Stereos and music must be played at a reasonable level to be determined by the Cottage Parent(s). Content of the music must also be appropriate as determined by the Cottage Parent(s). If asked to turn these down, you must comply and if you do not, the music device will be confiscated for one week. If you have to be asked to turn these down on a regular basis, the device will confiscated until you leave MCCH.
TV is not to be turned on before 5:00 pm on weekdays, 3 pm on weekends. Do not ask, as the answer will be NO. Content of the show must also be appropriate as determined by the Cottage Parent(s).
No horseplay, running in the house, rough-housing or yelling. If redirected, room time will be imposed, determined by the Cottage Parent(s).
Lying and attempts to manipulate will not be tolerated. HR will be imposed for a length of time determined by the Cottage Parent(s).
Stealing is not permitted. If you are caught stealing, HR will be imposed for a length of time determined by the Cottage Parent(s).
No one is allowed in the cottage when the Cottage Parent(s) is not there. NO exceptions. All visitors must leave the cottage by 8 pm.
Male friends must be met by the Cottage Parent(s) prior to escorting a resident out for the evening.
No weapons or contraband are allowed on campus or in the cottage. Staff reserves the right to conduct room searches, in compliance with MCCH policy, if suspicion arises.
Tobacco products, drugs, and alcohol are not permitted on the campus, including parking lots. Substance abuse will not be tolerated. Random UA’s will be given at the discretion of the Staff. A positive UA can be grounds for dismissal, but certainly continued positive UA’s will result in dismissal from the program.
Sexual misconduct will NOT be tolerated. If you display inappropriate sexual behavior on or off MCCH property, you will be required to attend a meeting with your Cottage Parent(s), therapist and the Director of Services. Consequences of this behavior are at the discretion of your cottage parent and Treatment Team.
If you choose to run, the Treatment Team will discuss if you should be discharged from the program.
Consequences
This is your program and you are expected to follow the expectations without being reminded. If you are independent and responsible and mature, then you will attend your scheduled activities, do your homework, attend work on time, etc., in the appropriate way.
If not, then it is MCCH responsibility to see that you are directed in the proper way and follow the program. A few of the standard consequences are listed below:
- Study Time: Any time not scheduled for an approved activity will be spent working on school work in your room unless approved by Cottage Parent(s). You are not to use your cell phone while on study time.
- Room Time: Is to be spent in your room quietly for a designated period of time, determined by the Cottage Parent(s). If you fail to comply with the expectations of room time, then additional time may be imposed. You are not to use your cell phone while on room time. You are not allowed to talk with your peers during this time.
- HR / House Restriction: This means you may not leave the cottage unless escorted by the Cottage Parent(s). You will not be allowed the use of a phone or your car. You must be in your room at 9 pm and lights out at 9:30 pm. HR time may be extended if you fail to comply with the expectations on HR.
- House Shut Down: This means that there are several people who are not working the program and their behavior is interfering with those who are. All residents will be confined to the house and will meet with the Cottage Parent(s) and the Director. This meeting will last until the group has been able to resolve the problem and is moving in a positive direction to work the program.
ADDITIONAL and/or OTHER consequences may be imposed by the Cottage Parent(s) or Treatment Team.
GRADUATION
We cannot wait to celebrate your graduation from ILS! You may become eligible for graduation when you have completed the following tasks:
- Saved one thousand dollars.
- Purchased all necessary household items.
- Completed the Basic Life Skills classes to be held each week.
- Have an apartment or dormitory to move into.
- Developed a portfolio including:
- Personal documents
- Resume
- References
- List of Community Resources
- Budget
- Medical Information
- Blood type
- Allergies
- Immunization Record
- Medical Card
- Medical, Dental and Visual Records
- Medications
GRIEVANCE
If you believe that staff has interpreted rules and/or regulations in an incorrect or inappropriate way, you have the opportunity to “grieve” the issue. Obtain a grievance form in your cottage and fill it out completely. Ask staff to place the grievance form in the Director’s mailbox.
GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL
Each individual case is based upon the merits of the case. The Director of Services makes the final decision regarding termination of the resident.
- Thirty days of unemployment or lack of ambition or motivation to find a job.
- Excessive absences from school and/or weekly ILS classes.
- Pregnancy.
- Vandalism or theft of other’s property.
- Failure to work the Intensive Life Skills Program.
| 