Alternative Living Solutions youth parent handbook

Positive role modeling, completing extra chores, exceeding program expectations, and practicing pro-social behaviors are recognized and rewarded through our behavioral incentive program. Sand Dollars

may be earned by youth and spent in the Sand Dollar Shop.

Our Sand Dollar economy assists in not only reinforcing acceptable behaviors, but also in teaching essential independent living skills. Sand Dollars are recorded/deposited in checkbooks. Youth learn how to budget, reconcile a checkbook, write checks, and save “money”. Sand Dollars can be spent in the Sand Dollar Shop every two weeks. Youth are able to purchase health and beauty items, stationary, stamps, books, clothing, extra phone calls, and snacks. Youth are also able to buy items from department stores by creating a Behavior Contract.

Behavior Contracts are created by the youth and approved by the Director of Operations. Before the contract may be created the item, store, and amount to be spent must also be approved. The youth is responsible for identifying behaviors they need to work on and setting goals related to those behaviors. The youth will evaluate their goals for a pre-determined amount of time. Upon completion the youth will be able to go to the identified store with to buy their item.

As youth advance in the program they have the opportunity to earn various privileges by demonstrating appropriate and positive behavior. Progress is measured by means of a level system referred to as Waves. As youth transition through the Wave system, the expectation is that they will recognize and welcome the challenge of having more responsibility that accompanies additional privileges and independence.

Overview of Wave system

Orientation Wave (minimum of 7days not to exceed 30 days) During this phase youth adjust to their new living arrangement. They are required to familiarize themselves with the program schedule and learn program expectations. The length of this phase depends on various factors that pertain to individual needs based on limitations and treatment goals identified by the placing agency. During Orientation youth are not permitted to have unsupervised community time. Additionally, they are unable to begin seeking employment.

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WAVE ONE

1) $15 monthly allowance (in the form of Sand Dollars)

2) One hour of unsupervised community time 3 days per week(within neighborhood)

3) One social outing per week not to exceed 3 hours (mall, movies, etc)

4) May have cell phone. Electronics permitted in bedroom – Mp3 player, radio/CD player

5) One outgoing 20 minute phone call, two incoming 10 minute calls per week

6) One behavior contract per month – 85% to pass

Requirements for transition to Wave Two

· Complete independent living skills worksheets, assignments, and assessments focused on:

o Money management – Must have maintained checkbook for the Sand Dollar Shop

o Obtaining/Maintaining employment – participate in a mock interview to include appropriate dress

o Home maintenance skills – ‘How to’ essay 2pgs.

o Food management- cooking, menu planning, etc. – Prepare one complete dinner for the house.

· Essay to petition for transition and present it at a staff meeting

WAVE TWO

1) $20 monthly allowance (in the form of Sand Dollars)

2) 1 ½ hour of unsupervised community time 4 days per week(within neighborhood)

3) Two social outings per week not to exceed 2 hours each(mall, movies, etc)

4) Permitted to have cell phone. Electronics permitted in bedroom – Mp3 player, radio/CD player

5) One outgoing 30 minute phone call, three incoming 10 minute calls per week

6) Two behavior contracts per month – 90% to pass

Requirements for transition to Wave Three

· Complete independent living skills worksheets, assignments, and assessments focused on:

o Health and wellness – must research healthcare options for after discharge (i.e. insurance types and costs, what doctor, dentist, etc. you will use)

o Social/Communication skills- Essay ‘What is body language?’ define, give examples, and identify +/- effects

o Personal care

o Safety

· Set and meet one short-term goal

· Essay to petition for transition and present it at a staff meeting

WAVE THREE

1) $25 monthly allowance (in the form of Sand Dollars)

2) 1 ½ hour of unsupervised community time 4 days per week(within neighborhood)

3) Two social outings per week not to exceed 5 hours (mall, movies, etc)

4) Permitted to have cell phone. Electronics permitted in bedroom – Mp3 player, radio/CD player

5) Two outgoing 30 minute phone calls, three incoming 10 minute calls per week

6) Three behavior contracts per month – 95% to pass

Requirements for transition to Interdependent Wave

· Organize one community service project

· Set and meet two short-term goals

· Complete independent living skills worksheets, assignments, and assessments focused on:

o Housing - Assignment-you make $1,080 per month. Find an apartment, identify and figure out what all living expenses will be

o Transportation – take a bus trip by yourself

o Community resources – based on current treatment goals, research and identify your home community’s resources/supports.

o Understanding the law- BARJ project/assignment

o Higher education- research a career interest and identify educational requirements. Develop an education plan that includes what college/university/trade school you can attend, what the expenses are, and financial aid options

o Recreation

· Organize and facilitate two groups on a life skills subject

· Write an essay to petition for transition and present it at a staff meeting

INTERDEPENDENT WAVE

01) $25 (cash) monthly allowance

02) Electronics permitted in bedroom – Mp3 player, radio/CD player, T.V. computer/laptop

03) Permitted to sign out for community time/social outings with staff permission

Behavior Contracts

All youth are able to create behavior contracts. Each youth must identify 5 contract points. The terms of all contracts will be evaluated on an individual basis. Before any contract can be started it must be approved.
All contracts must be evaluated with staff twice a day: (1) at 2:30pm (2) right before quiet time. Staff must initial contract at each evaluation.
Contracts are worth $20 each

Unsupervised Time

1. Must be done BEFORE dark….if you request your time and it’s dark outside you will not be permitted to go

2. Youth are not permitted to ‘bank’, save, or roll over any of their allotted time

3. If youth are late returning to the house they will lose that privilege for the week

4. Youth must get permission, let staff know where they are going, and sign out

5. Youth are NOT permitted to get into a vehicle with ANYONE during this time unless approved of in advance

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Program Expectations

(In order to uphold the integrity and safety of programming, ALS Administration

reserves the right to change and/or alter the program expectations at any time)

House Norms

v Respect yourself, others, and program property

v Help yourself and others

v Keep confidentiality – no talking about past residents

v Keep living areas clean by completing chores daily

v Refrain from horse-playing

v Maintain boundaries – respect personal space of others, follow the no touch policy

v Follow up to feedback and accept appropriately

v Participate in activities and follow daily schedule

Family Visits

v Only immediate family (parents, siblings, children, grandparents). Youth are invited to obtain approval from case workers/probation officers for other visitors.

v Only 4 visitors at a time

v Visitors must be able to present proper identification and sign in/out of visitation log

v On grounds visiting hours are Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm

v Day pass (off grounds) visits Saturday and Sunday 9am to 9pm. Family is responsible for picking up/dropping off.

v Visits take place on 2nd floor porch or other area designated by staff.

In the best interest of the youth and for safety reasons, visitors that appear to be under the influence of drugs/alcohol will be asked to leave. The visit may be rescheduled.

Fire Drill

v Be serious at all times

v Exit quickly and quietly

v Meet in front of building (Broad St.), line up, count off, and wait for further instruction

v Review: Pull Rescue

Aim Alarm

Squeeze Contain

Sweep Extinguish

Bedroom

v No food or drinks permitted in bedrooms – only water

v Youth are not permitted in another youth’s bedroom at any time

v Complete all bedroom chores prior to leaving the apartment. Major cleaning every Sunday

v All materials posted must be appropriate and are subject to

staff approval

v Youth are provided with an alarm clock that they are responsible for setting and waking up to.

v All radios must be at appropriate volume, failure to comply could result in radio being confiscated.

Behavioral Incentive

v Youth may earn Sand Dollars for taking initiative, role modeling acceptable behaviors, completing extra chores, etc.

v Youth are responsible for calculating Sand Dollars earned then recording the amount in their checkbook. Staff must check and initial off on amount

v Sand Dollars may be spent in Sand Dollar Shop every other week

v Behavior contracts may be created and must be approved by the Director of Operations

v Altering Sand Dollars, forging staff signatures, or stealing other youths’ Sand Dollars will result in a $0 balance in checkbook in addition to losing Sand Dollar Shop privileges for a time period to be determined

Phone (house and cell)

ü Must follow contact restrictions (if any identified by PO/Case Worker)

ü Conversations must be appropriate or staff will end the call

House

v All youth receive a minimum of one outgoing 20-minute call per week; youth will be assigned a call day. Incoming calls are permitted on line 2 under the condition that the privilege is not abused. Additional outgoing calls may be purchased in the Sand Dollar Shop and/or earned based on current program Wave.

Cell Phones

Possessing and using a cell phone at ALS is a privilege, therefore:

v In order for a youth to have a cell phone, it must first be approved by all of the following: their PO/caseworker, parent/legal guardian, and ALS.

v ALS must have the cell phone number for our records.

v Cell phones must be turned off by 10pm weekdays (Sunday-Thursday night). Youth are permitted to have cell phone throughout weekends, but shouldn’t be talking after 11pm; texting only.

v Youth are not permitted to take cell phones to school.

v If responsibilities have not been completed cell phone will be taken until staff have checked for completion.

v Youth are not permitted to share their cell phone with any other youth.

Please note: Not following the above expectations will result in these consequences:

1st offense – One week without cell phone

2nd offense – One month without cell phone

3rd offense – Complete loss of the privilege of having a cell phone

Media

v Books and magazines must be of an appropriate nature

v No ‘R’ rated movies – this also applies to youth that are 17 and older

v Personal CD players and radios are permitted in bedrooms. No profane music and volume must be at an appropriate level.

Chores & Responsibilities

Chores are to be completed daily. Weekly chores are to be completed every Sunday. Each apartment is responsible for determining how chores will be completed. All youth must participate in completing chores.

Kitchen-

Daily: Wipe all surfaces (counter, table, stove refrigerator, microwave, etc.) wash all dishes and put them away, sweep floor, mop as needed, empty trash as needed

Weekly: Clean refrigerator (outside and in), wash trashcan, wipe out microwave, wash walls and windows, check dates on leftover food, sweep and mop floor.

Bathroom-

Daily: Wipe all surfaces, sweep floor, clean/disinfect toilet and shower after each use, empty trash as needed, clean floor as needed

Weekly: Wash all surfaces, sweep floor and mop floor, scrub/disinfect toilet and shower, empty trash and clean trash can, wipe walls and windows

Living Room -

Daily: Vacuum floor, straighten up anything out of place

Weekly: Wash walls and windows; wipe/dust all surfaces, vacuum

Bed Room -

Daily: Dressers must be neatly organized- no clutter, make bed, vacuum, all clothes must be hung or placed neatly in drawers

Weekly: Wash walls and windows, wipe/dust all surfaces, vacuum, and wash bed linens (to be done on your laundry day), organize drawers and closets

Program Schedule

At ALS we have a basic program schedule in place. We recognize each youth’s need for individualized treatment. Aspects such as educational requirements, employment status, and the youth’s level of programming will be determining factors for wake up, bed, meal, group, and education times.

Program Schedule for Weekdays

6:00 Wake up, hygiene, medication administration

6:45-3:15 Public school. GED classes are from 9a.m. to 12p.m.

3:15-5:00 Homework/Free time

5:00-6:30 Dinner

6:30-7:30 Dinner clean up

7:30-8:00 Free time

7:30-8:00 Life Skills assignments- minimum of 2 pages

8:00-9:00 Chores---- Medication Administration----Snack

9:00-10:00 Free time

10:00 Quiet time- no loud talking, cell phones off, and

radios must be at an appropriate volume. Laptops

must be turned in

***** Friday nights please follow Saturday schedule beginning at 5:00 *****

Program Schedule for Saturdays

8:30-9:30 Meds, hygiene, breakfast.

9:30-11:30 Free time

11:30-1:00 Lunch prep/clean up

1:00-4:30 Community involvement project/activity/free time

4:30 Begin Dinner prep

5:00-6:00 Dinner/clean up

7:00-8:00 Free time

8:00-9:00 Chores---- Medication Administration----Snack

9:00-11:00 Free time

11:00 Quiet time- no loud talking, only texting on cell phones,

radios must be at an appropriate volume. Laptops must

be turned in.

Program Schedule for Sundays

8:30-9:30 Meds & breakfast

9:30-11:30 Hygiene & bedroom majors

11:30 Begin Lunch prep

12:00-1:00 Lunch/clean up

1:00-2:30 Majors- All youth are responsible for major cleaning of

their apartment. Once apartments are checked by staff

youth may have free time

2:30-4:00 Community involvement project/activity/free time

4:00 Cooking Class

5:30-7:00 Dinner/clean up

6:30-7:30 Community involvement project/activity/free time

7:30-8:00 Life Skills assignments

8:00-9:00 Chores---- Medication Administration----Snack

9:00 Prep for bed

10:00 Quiet time for all floors – no loud talking, all cell phones off, and radios must be at an appropriate volume

Summer Program Schedule for Weekdays

8:00-9:00 Medication Administration & Breakfast

9:00-11:30 Life Skills

12:00-12:45 Lunch

12:45-1:00 Meal chores

1:00-2:30 Life Skills

2:30- 4:30 Free time

4:30-5:00 Prep for dinner

5:00-6:00 Dinner

6:00-7:30 Meal chores

7:30-10:00 Free time and Medication Administration

10:00-11:00 Chores and Snack

11:00 Quiet time- no loud talking, only texting on cell phones,

radios must be at an appropriate volume

***** Friday nights please follow Saturday schedule beginning at 5:00 *****

Youth Commitments

1. Respect the personal space of others; keep a healthy distance while not touching, hitting, or kicking.

2. Respect other’s property; use only things that are yours.

3. Remain drug, alcohol, and tobacco free.

4. Respect yourself through the abstinence of sexual acts to

include romantic or sexual physical contact.

5. Help to keep our environment safe; do not bring weapons onto

the property.

6. Develop your self-esteem; recognize negative influences and unhealthy relationships. Commit to a positive change!

7. Respect the program’s property so that others may enjoy it.

8. Participate in all activities to gain personal growth and broaden your knowledge.

9. Educate yourself to use appropriate grammatical expression

by not using profanity to express what you need to say.

10. Always treat others as you wish to be treated

11. Keep confidentiality

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Grievance Procedure

In order to fully utilize the opportunities provided for youth through ALS-GYI, there is a starting point for reference sake.

1. ALS strives to be a good and safe place to be.

2. Youth are expected to learn and know the rules of ALS.

3. Youth are expected to learn and know the consequences

of rule violations.

4. Youth are expected to make a commitment to follow the rules.

5. Youth are expected to learn and know how to affect rule review for change.

In that respect, the youth grievance procedure can be enacted

by any youth. A youth may file a grievance if there is a need to request a review of specific behaviors or incidents that they feel have not been satisfactorily resolved through the formal/informal system of the program.

Youth may submit a written grievance and deliver it to the locked mailbox located outside of the Director of Operations door. For youth unable to read or write, they may verbally file a grievance

with the Director of Operations.

The Director of Operations will read, discuss, and solicit

comments as needed from other youth and staff, and render a written response to the youth. The youth’s grievance and

Director’s response will be entered into the youth’s file.

In cases where the Director is noted in the grievance, the youth

may file their grievance with the Clinical Director. A similar

review will then proceed, with the report also copied to the CEO.

Clients’ Rights

v A child and the child’s family have the right to lodge a grievance with the facility for an alleged violation without fear of retaliation.

v A child may not be discriminated against because of race, color, religious creed, disability, sexual orientation, age, or sex.

v A child may not be abused, mistreated, threatened, harassed, or subjected to corporal punishment.

v A child has the right to be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.

v A child has the right to be informed of the facility’s rules.

v A child has the right to communicate with family by telephone reasonable to facility policy and written instructions from the contracting agency or court, regarding circumstances, frequency, time, payment, and privacy.

v Unless restricted by court order, a child has the right to visit with family at least every two weeks.

v A child has the right to send and receive mail. A staff member may never open Incoming/Outgoing mail; however mail may be opened by the child in the presence of a staff member.

v A child has the right to communicate and visit privately with his/her attorney and clergy.

v A child has the right to be protected from unreasonable search and seizure. The facility may conduct search and seizure procedures subject to reasonable facility policy.

v A child has the right to practice their religion or faith of choice.

v A child has the right to appropriate medical, behavioral health, dental an optical treatment.

v A child has the right to be free from excessive medication.

v A child may not be subject to unusual or extreme methods of discipline which may cause psychological or physical harm.

v A child has the right to clean and seasonal clothing that is age and gender appropriate.

v A child may not be deprived of specific client or civil rights.

v A child’s rights may not be used as a reward or sanction.

Important Information

Visitation

Visitation is Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm. Day pass (off grounds) visits are Saturday and Sunday 9am to 9pm. Youth will be assigned a call day. They are able to have a minimum of one out going 20 minute call and to receive two 10-minute incoming calls per week. Please refer to the Program Expectations section for further detail regarding phone calls and visitation.

Driving Directions

US Route 30 east or west, take US Route 119 Exit South. Go one traffic light and turn left onto Huff Avenue. At next traffic light make a right turn onto Broad Street. 1339 is one block on the left at the corner of Broad Street and Sheridan Avenue.

US Route 70, continue on US Route 119 North to traffic light at (Rax and Subway) Huff Avenue, turn right and proceed to next traffic light, make right onto Broad Street and proceed one block to 1339 Broad Street and Sheridan Avenue on the left.

Emergency Medical Plan

In the event of a medical emergency, youth will be transported to Westmoreland Regional Hospital located at 532 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg, PA 15601. The hospital’s phone number is 724-832-4000. When a youth is participating in an off grounds activity, she will be transported to the nearest medical facility. Parents/guardians will be notified immediately.

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ALS is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)

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Contact Information:

Telephone:     (724) 834-3496     FAX:     (724) 834-4200

Postal address:     Alternative Living Solutions

                                 2108 Tartan Court
                                   Latrobe, PA 15650

Electronic mail:     Information:     admin@alternativelivingsolutions.com

Alternative Living Solutions

Greensburg Youth Initiative

Woman's Youth Residential Men's Youth Residential 915 George's Station Road 1339 Broad Street Greensburg, PA 15601 Greensburg, PA 15601

Contact Information:

Send mail to webmaster@alternativelivingsolutions.com with questions or comments about this web site.Last modified: 01/04/12 - Copyright @ 02/2009

Woman's Youth Residential Men's Youth Residential

915 George's Station Road 1339 Broad Street

Greensburg, PA 15601 Greensburg, PA 15601

Send mail to webmaster@alternativelivingsolutions.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 01/04/12 - Copyright @ 02/2009