Welcome to Joy House

Resident Program

Orientation Guide

Family Life Services has been providing a transitional resident program for mothers and children since 1989. We are a Christian community for those seeking recovery and long-term change. The mission of our two-year transitional program is to provide an atmosphere of love, acceptance and accountability where each person may pursue goals toward self-sufficiency and healthy interdependence.

We believe a person is healed from the inside out and that it is necessary to address any difficulties you have experienced so you can overcome them to lead a healthy, productive life. Therefore, our holistic program provides individual counseling, group therapy, spiritual growth, vocational assistance and life skills development.

Level System/Growth Tracking

You progress through the program by fulfilling your personal goals and completing assignments related to a program level system. Our program is meant to focus on key areas of growth related to personal safety, healthy relationships, self-sufficiency and more. Goals, assignments and responsibilities change as you through the five levels of the program.

Program Schedule

• Individual CounselingWeeklyScheduled with Counselor (1 hour)
• Resident Coach MeetingWeeklyScheduled with Resident Coach (1 hour)
• Meal and GroupWeeklyThursdays from 6:00 – 8:00 PM
• Individual Bible StudyWeeklyScheduled with Bible Study Mentor (1 hour)
• Meal and ClassWeeklyMondays from 6:00 – 8:00 PM (as offered)
• Church AttendanceWeeklySee church policy, submit bulletin & notes
• ChoresWeekly1 to 2 hours
• Check-in with on duty StaffDaily7:00 – 9:00 PM (for 1st month in the program)
• Special EventsAs Scheduled

Resident Coach

Each resident is assigned a staff member as her Resident Coach. A Resident Coach is very similar to a Case Manager or Family Advocate. The Resident Coach’s supportive role is to:

• help you create, implement and achieve a goal plan specific to your needs,
• help you obtain the resources you need to achieve your goals,
• meet with you on a weekly basis to review your progress,
• hold you accountable to your commitments and to Family Life Service’s policies.

Counseling

You will be assigned a counselor with whom you will have a confidential one-on-one therapeutic relationship and meet regularly. Group Counseling and/or Support Group meetings for all residents are held in the Dining Room every Thursday at 6:30pm. Some weeks meals are offered beginning at 6:00pm.

Most of the counselors are part of an internship program through their school, which our Senior Resident Program Director oversees. It is likely that you and/or your child will have a change in counselor during the program. We strive to make that transition as smooth as possible.

Church Attendance

Family Life Services believes that individual spiritual growth and involvement in a larger faith community are important steps toward healthy development and a foundation to build lasting change in our lives. Participation in theFamily Life Services program includes developing a meaningful relationship with a local church.

Our aim is that you will not only benefit from the church worship service, but will become connected socially and eventually with service opportunities as well. For these reasons, we are asking each resident to identify a local church to become (or remain) involved with. The selected church must agree with Family Life Service’s Statement of Faith.

Productive Time

If you are attending school full-time or have a medical or physical disability that does not allow you to work at least 32 hours/week, you must participate in an approved “productive hours” activity (e.g. community service, day labor or goal-oriented self-improvement activity).

Because we strongly believe that children need time with their parents, you are encouraged to work a job with daytime hours when daycare centers are open and/or school age children are in school (rather than evenings or night shifts).

Community Responsibilities

As a participant in this program, you are expected to contribute to the community by helping with duties and projects, as assigned by staff.

Drugs & Alcohol

Use of illegal drugs, marijuana or alcohol is not permitted. In order to ensure compliance and the safety of others, residents may be subject to random tests and/or apartment inspections, if deemed necessary by staff. Residents must comply when asked to perform a test. Failure to comply will result in automatic dismissal from the program. Family Life Services is a smoke free campus.

Medication Monitoring

All prescription medication should be reported to your Resident Coach. Any changes in medication should also be reported. You may be asked for proof from your doctor, if mediation has been decreased, increased or discontinued.

Apartment Responsibilities

All apartments are unfurnished. Apartment checks will be done once a week on a day designated by staff. Inspections may become less frequent, as you progress through the program. Rooms should be kept clean, safe and orderly and all medication should be accounted for and stored safely.Please ask for help if you are having a hard time keeping your apartment organized.

Absence

If you and your family plan to be away from your residence overnight, yourResident Coach or Program Director must be notified in advance. Should an emergency arise and you need to leave overnight, call the Program Director’s emergency pager 719-594-3414.

Program Fees

There is a monthly program fee for participation, ranging from $345.00 - $765.00, due on the 1st of every month. If you move in after the 1st, your first month’s fee will be prorated accordingly.

Program Graduation - 2 year goals

1. 6-12 months of sobriety & safety

2.*Stable employment / productivity

3.*Livable wage

4.$600 in a savings account

* These stipulations can be suspended for honorary graduates who reach a standard commensurate with their ability. For those with disabilities, reasonable accommodations will be made.

Dating

Residents are encouraged not to date during the first year of their program. Dating is defined as “building a romantic relationship with another person.” This allows time for personal growth and healing, before becoming involved with another person.

Security

Resident status is confidential. Be mindful to never divulge personal information to non-residents: Protect the confidentiality of your neighbor!

• Avoid using the FLS name in public.
• Avoid using the FLS name to children. Come up with an alternate like The Home.
• Consider using the Colorado Address Confidentiality Program (
• Establish and follow a safety plan and any protective orders.
• Report any violations by other residents to protect the safety of everyone.

Social Services/Child Abuse Policy

If the Department of Social Services has involvement with your children, please be aware that they will be notified when your residency status changes (i.e., you move out). It is our responsibility to do this within 3 days of your departure from Family Life Services.

Automobiles

There are restrictions on where personal vehicles may be parked. Proof of driver’s license, vehicle registration and insurance are required to be in your FLS file.

Pets

Unfortunately, pets are not allowed, other than those in small cages or tanks. Permission must be obtained in advance before getting any pets.

Guests/Visitors

No visitors are allowed for the first 30 days. Spouses and male friends are not allowed in the apartments or adjacent yards or play areas. All visitors must be pre-approved in advance and are not permitted on the premises after 9:00pm. Exceptions to these rules may be permitted by the staff.

Important Note

This document is not the full Family Life Services Resident Program Agreement. You will be provided with the full Program Agreement prior to being accepted into the program. Please let staff know of any questions or concerns that you have.

Next Steps

1. Submit an application for the program and schedule interviewsas requested with staff. These interviews generally take one month to complete.
2. Attend one Thursday evening Support Group.
3. Since our program involves living in community, all residents are required to have a tuberculosis (TB Card). TB test must be performed and submitted to prior to move in.
4. After the interviews, staff will conduct a background check and check references.
5. After the interviews and background check, staff will let you know if you have been accepted into the program.
6. If accepted, you will have a pre-move-in meeting with your Resident Coach to tour the Family Life Services property, see your assigned apartment unit, review and sign the Program Agreement and prepare for move-in.

As you consider whether or not the Family Life Services program is a good fit for you and your children, please give special thought to the fact that Family Life Service’s Resident Program is more than housing. It is designed for individuals who are seeking an intervention in their life, and are open to support and accountability from staff, and are open to community living and values.

The structure of the program is to help maintain a safe and peaceful environment, to hold you accountable to your personal goals, and to address areas in your life that make you vulnerable to unsafe situations and instability.

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Revised 02/22/16