Carpenter Place

 

Intensive Life Skills

 

Residential Program Handbook

Things you need to know to succeed! Revised 3/8/12

PROGRAM INTRODUCTION

Carpenter Place Intensive Life Skills program is a residential independent living program for females between the ages of 18 and 24.  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. Carpenter Place is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

 

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

• You must be eighteen 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

·         Goals – What are yours?

• 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 House Parent 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 guided to do the following:

• Complete required Basic Life Skills Trainings.
• 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 guided 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 house 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

 

Phases:

In order to get to know residents more thoroughly, there are certain phases of the intake procedure that are in place.  They come with certain rules that are more restrictive for a time determined to be appropriate by the treatment team.  They are:

Intake Phase

• Must be escorted by a House Parent everywhere
• No cell phone is allowed
• Must complete Life Skills trainings assigned by House Parent(s)
• May have one 20 minute phone call per day on house phone
• May have no overnight pass

Transition Phase

• May go to work and school without being escorted
• May get a cell phone (but it must be checked in and out for use)
• Must complete Life Skills trainings assigned by House Parent(s)
• May have one 30 minute phone call per day on house phone
• May have one unescorted event approved by House Parent(s) and/or treatment team each week
• May have  overnight passes approved by treatment team and family during this phase

Intensive Life Skills Phase

• The final phase is the remainder of this program.  All following rules DO APPLY to the other two phases, but as stated may be more restrictive as the House Parent(s) get to know you.

Curfew:

House curfew will be as follows:

• If unemployed – Sunday through Saturday is 8:00 pm.
• If employed – Sunday through Thursday is 10:00 pm.  Friday and Saturday is midnight.

The House Parent(s) reserves the right to extend curfew for special occasions on an individual basis and for house outings.

You must be in room by down hall time of 10 pm (midnight on Friday & 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 room, or making noise. If you have to be redirected for this you may lose the 30 minutes at the House Parent(s) discretion.  If you are allowed to have a job which keeps you out past curfew, down hall time is immediate upon return to the cottage.  Jobs with shifts requiring you to work past midnight are not allowed.  OCCASIONAL shifts past midnight may be PREAPPROVED, but will be VERY limited.

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 house 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  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, a meeting with the Director, or your parent being notified that you are not working the program.  Repeated failure to do so will result in consequences deemed appropriate by the House Parent(s).

Chores will include public and personal areas of the house and are to be started within 15 minutes of returning after school or church and by 11 am on Saturday. You will complete the chore independently to the satisfaction of the House Parent(s) or the chore will be redone until acceptable.  When you are finished, you must seek out the House Parent(s) for it to be approved as satisfactory, or it will be assumed you are still working on the chores.  You are not to be doing other activities until after your chores have been approved as being completed.  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 must finish it. If clothes are left unattended in the washer or dryer they may be confiscated, unless approved by the House Parent(s).  Also, bedrooms and bathrooms must be acceptable by the House 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.  It is your responsibility to call your therapist after discussing with the House Parent(s) if you are not able to make your appointment.  If you fail to attend a scheduled therapy, consequences will be imposed by the House Parent(s) and you will be escorted to the session by the House Parent(s) or designated staff.

Pass requests must be submitted by Tuesday at 5pm, no exceptions.

You are required to comply with kitchen hours as determined by the House Parent(s). Water will be allowed rooms, but no other food or drink items will be allowed in cottage bedrooms.

 

Phones:

The cottage phone will be available for use by residents any day with no incoming calls after 9:00 pm.  The ONLY incoming phone calls allowed on the house phone are from family, treatment team members, and from your employer.  Phone conversations should be limited to a reasonable time frame and without an excessive amount of time (to be determined by the House Parent(s)) spent on the phone during 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.  House Parent(s) may require a detailed billing of you phone usage at any time.  Do not leave it out where it can be stolen.  The House Parent(s) has the discretion to take any phone away if you are disruptive to your roommate or other residents while using it or if it becomes a disruption or is abused in any way.  House parents may also require you to check your phone in and out for use.  Having a cell phone is a privilege and we expect you to treat it as such.

 

Cell phones may be used in bedrooms and outside ONLY. NO calls after 9 pm. Cell phones are not to be used in the van, church, program classes, during study hour, while doing chores, while in class at school, in therapy sessions, at work, etc.  These are just a few examples of when not to use your phone.  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 Carpenter Place.

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 Carpenter Place.

 

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 when on grounds at Carpenter Place.  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.  Your vehicle may be searched as well.

You are not to give rides to other residents or allow anyone else to drive your vehicle.

Keep your keys in a safe place, as Carpenter Place will not be responsible for stolen vehicles. You are to park in the Carpenter Place 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.  The driver must be preapproved by the House Parent(s) before you are allowed to ride with them.

 

Church Services:

Residents will be attending church services with the house on Sunday morning and Sunday and Wednesday nights. The House 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 a 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 may attend another preapproved church for spiritual supplement, but not in place of going with the cottage to the required church activities.

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 my House 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 you being placed on Study Time, which requires you to be working on your school assignments.  It will be the House 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 House Parent(s) and the House Parent(s) will contact the school in order to monitor your grades and be informed when your grades have improved.

Absences from school are not acceptable.  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 hrs per week on their GED school work if required to work 40 hours a week at their job.  If working under 40 hrs 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 hrs per week during school and 30 hrs per week summer.

You must be working or making an attempt to find a job.  Upon getting a job, you must give the House Parent(s) information regarding the job including supervisor’s name, company name, address, phone numbers, and schedules.  Schedules will be turned in to House Parent(s) the day they are received from the employer.

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.  Bus stubs and clock-in/out stubs from your employer are required to verify work times if provided.

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 House Parent(s) to be put into your savings account.  A savings account with dual signatures for withdrawals will be required.  Arrangements with the House Parent(s) must be made if you need to make a withdrawal from your savings account.  A monthly budget based on income and 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 program.  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.  After serving your house restriction, you will be place on curfew until other employment is obtained or alternate responsibilities are arranged.

 

 

 

Carpenter Place Functions:

You are required to attend all Carpenter Place 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 House Parent(s).

Other Expectations:

When leaving the house, you are required to sign-out to a name, address, phone number, give the time leaving, give an estimated return time, and sign-in using actual time upon returning to the cottage.

You must respect yourself and other people including your house 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 on a one on one then you need to ask the House Parent(s) to be present.

Failure 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 result in 15 minute room time or until you are able to talk with the House 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 House Parent(s).

Proper clothing is to be worn in and outside the house. If the House Parent(s) feels your dress is not appropriate you will be asked to change.  Things that are not allowed include any cleavage shown, shorts or skirts that come more than 2 inches above the knee, clothing too tight or too loose.  Also, bras are required any time you are outside of your room.

Stereos and music must be played at a reasonable level to be determined by the House Parent(s). Content of the music must also be appropriate as determined by the House 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 then the device will be confiscated until you leave Carpenter Place.

If inappropriate content (according to the House Parent(s)) is found on an electronic device, the resident will have the option to delete the content or surrender the device for the duration of your stay at Carpenter Place.

TV is not to be turned on before 5:00 pm on weekdays, 3pm on weekends for most residents. Different times may be approved for particular residents based on work and school schedules.  (Only people approved to watch at irregular times are allowed to be watching TV at that time!) Content of the show must also be appropriate as determined by the House Parent(s).

No horseplay, running in house, rough housing, or yelling.  If redirected, room time will be imposed determined by the House Parent(s).

Lying and attempts to manipulate are not acceptable.   HR will be imposed.

Stealing is not permitted. If you are caught stealing HR will be imposed for a length of time determined by the House Parent(s).

No one is allowed in the house when the House Parent(s) is not there. NO exceptions. All visitors must leave the house by 8pm.

All visitors must be pre-approved to be on grounds prior to them arriving.  Also, to spend time with friends off campus, the House Parent(s) must have had sufficient time to get to know the individual prior to getting to go out.  (This will include multiple visits to the cottage from your friend!)  While your friend is here, all individuals must stay seated upright and in visible sight of the House Parent(s).

Male friends must be met by the House Parent(s) prior to escorting a resident out.

No weapons or contraband are allowed on campus or in the cottage.  Staff reserves the right to conduct room searches, in compliance with Carpenter Place 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 Carpenter Place property, you will be required to attend a meeting with your house parent(s), therapist and the Director of Services.  Consequences of this behavior are at the discretion of your house parent(s) 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 Carpenter Place 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 House 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 House 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 house unless escorted by the House 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 9:30pm.  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 House 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 House 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 training.
• Have an apartment or dormitory to move into.
• Developed a portfolio including:

ü  Personal documents

ü  Resume

ü  References

ü  List of Community Resources

ü  Budget

ü  Medical Information including:

v  Blood type

v  Allergies

v  Immunization Record

v  Medical Card

v  Medical, Dental and Visual Records

v  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 of Services 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 ILS training sessions.
• Pregnancy.
• Vandalism or theft of other’s property.
• Failure to work the Intensive Life Skills Program