Attachment+A+-+Recovery+Center+Handbook.docx

ATTACHMENT A

(input your name here) Recovery Center Member Handbook

Address Phone Number Member Phone Number (if applicable) Recovery Center Director:

This Recovery Center is managed by:

Managing Agency Contact Information

The Recovery Center is a contracted entity of the Department of Health and Human Services:

HSC Contact Information; including Liaison name/number

Contents

Welcome, we are glad you are here! This handbook will provide you with information that we hope will make your membership at __________ helpful and fulfilling.

___________ (referred to as the Recovery Center from this point forward) is committed to serving area adults with mental illness in either acquiring or rebuilding social skills and providing educational classes necessary for successful inclusion in the community while continuing your recovery journey. The Recovery Center provides the opportunity to participate in a variety of social activities each month, either free of charge or at a minimal cost.

Mission Statement The Recovery Center is committed to delivering recovery-based services that promote feelings of self-worth, self-respect, independence, choice, and hope to people with mental health challenges, enabling them to live meaningful lives in the communities of their choice while striving to achieve their full potential.

Beliefs and Principals The Recovery Center is anchored by the belief that recovery is possible.

While the recovery process is unique for every individual when dealing with mental health challenges, there are some guiding principles that can help an individual’s recovery journey go more smoothly, for the recovery process is never-ending. These guiding principles are general, but when applied to the individual in their own unique way, they can help advance their recovery. When using these principles, it is important to make them as personal to the individual as possible.

The Recovery Center integrates SAMSHA’s 10 Guiding Principles of Recovery throughout the Recovery Center’s environment.

They are:

Last Updated: 2.17.2021 *Self-Direction *Strengths-Based *Person-Centered *Peer Support *Empowerment *Respect *Holistic *Responsibility *Non-Linear *Hope

Along with these 10 guiding principles, the Recovery Center believes in the holistic needs of members by emphasizing four major dimensions that support a life in recovery.

They are:

*Health *Home *Community *Purpose These are addressed by educational programming; weekly Peer Support and Recovery Education groups, guest speakers, conferences, and social/recreational programming both in and out of the center. Thus, fostering recovery skills, developing support networks, improving daily living and social interaction skills, and developing and engaging in recreational outlets.

The Recovery Center also believes that

· Access to the Recovery Center’s services should be easy.

· Members should be active participants in program planning for the Recovery Center and in the development of their own recovery goals.

· Independent functioning and community integration are important to a member’s recovery.

· Continuity and coordination of care within the community are vital. The Recovery Center coordinates with all sectors of the community; public and private psychiatric, state rehabilitation, and business sectors.

· Outreach should be an integral part of the Recovery Center.

· Individual members’ needs and recovery goals should determine the intensity and pattern of the Recovery Center’s involvement.

· The Recovery Center is designed to respond to the needs of its members, not to those of its staff nor the service system in which it operates.

Membership Criteria To become a member, you must complete a membership application form (see Attachment 1A). There are minimal membership criteria:

· 18 years of age at the time of application

· Self-identified as having a mental illness

You do not need to be a client of the Regional Human Service Center to be a member.

Membership at the Recovery Center is without time limit and services are available for as long as needed.

We request that you update your membership record and any applicable releases of information regularly and especially when information changes.

Members make choices about their level of participation, both in terms of time spent at the Recovery Center, as well as their activity level while in attendance.

The Recovery Center does not discriminate against persons because of race, color, sex, age, disability, national origin, religion, political beliefs, or status with respect to marriage or public assistance.

Center Orientation

· Applications are given to any person expressing interest in becoming a member of the Recovery Center. If the individual meets the eligibility requirements, they are given a tour and an orientation packet which includes:

· Member Handbook

· Current calendar and newsletter

· Resource sheet that identifies services in the area, including local food programs sheet

· List of Recovery Centers across the state

Hours of Operation and Staffing The Recovery Center must be open a minimum of forty hours per week; this may include some evening and weekend hours based on member preference. The hours of operation for the Recovery Center are determined with member participation during member meetings. See Attachment 2A for current hours of operation. Hours of Operation will be discussed and amended, as needed, by the members at least twice a year during member meetings.

The Recovery Center will employ a full time Recovery Center Director, a Recovery Coordinator (minimum 20 hours per week), and other part time staff sufficient to provide necessary services. The Recovery Coordinator is required to be certified as a Peer Specialist through a certified training program; this certification will be verified by the local Human Service Center (HSC). Additional employment and personnel policies are available upon request.

Member Rights and Responsibilities All members have the responsibility to participate in the maintenance, upkeep, planning, programming, and implementation of services at the Recovery Center; as well as being active participants in their own recovery. Each member’s participation makes a difference in the success of the program.

Membership of the Recovery Center gives members the right to:

· be treated with dignity and respect,

· a humane environment that affords reasonable protection from harm and appropriate privacy to members and their personal needs,

· be involved with all policy formation, program planning, day-to-day operations, and staffing patterns,

· access, participate, and volunteer in all activities and programs of the Recovery Center,

· confidentiality,

· not be discriminated against, and

· file complaints, without being coerced, intimidated or retaliated against.

And the responsibility to:

· sign in time you visit the center,

· treat others with dignity and respect,

· follow all Recovery Center rules and policies,

· maintain appropriate hygiene and attire,

· contribute their talents, opinions, ideas, and grievances,

· help in the general upkeep of the facility and equipment, and

· stay at home when they are sick.

Violation of membership rules may lead to a temporary suspension of membership based on severity. All suspensions of membership will be documented on an Incident Report and follow Incident Reporting procedures.

Center-Specific Rules are posted on the bulletin board and can also be found in Attachment 3A. These rules are formulated by members and reviewed at least once a year at a Member Meeting. All meetings are documented, including a compilation of member comments and votes. Documentation is maintained by the Recovery Center and is open for review.

Member Meetings The Recovery Center holds monthly membership meetings where all members are encouraged to help assist in researching any areas of interest that are generated at the meeting, reviewing policies and procedures, and is a vehicle to bring concerns and issues to discuss. All meetings are documented, including a compilation of member comments and votes. Documentation is maintained by the Recovery Center and is open for review.

The calendar and newsletters are made available to members and other community agencies either by mail, email, or picking them up.

Community events are also shared through the Recovery Center’s bulletin board, featuring other Recovery Center and agency calendars.

Calendar and Newsletter The Recovery Center develops a monthly calendar based on member input at the Membership Meetings. The monthly calendar is available 10 days prior to the start of the new month. The Recovery Center newsletter provides a voice for members, as well as for people in the community, to share information on upcoming activities, views, artwork, poetry, and other items which are of interest and value.

Peer Support and Recovery Education Groups The Recovery Center provides, at a minimum, one weekly formal Peer Support group, as well as one weekly Recovery Education group. Mutual support and peer-to-peer support is encouraged. Monies are set aside for recovery-related training materials/books to be used in the provision of services, as well as staff/member training. Documentation of attendance and summary of group topic/discussion for all groups is maintained by the Recovery Center and is open for review.

Social, Recreational, and Educational Activities The Recovery Center provides educational, social, recreational, and community opportunities. At least one structured activity will be provided by the Recovery Center daily. These activities form a permanent system of community support that assist members with building a meaningful life in their community, while working on their recovery goals. All activities and attendance are documented. Documentation is maintained by the Recovery Center and is open for review.

The Recovery Center provides computers, email, and internet access for both member and staff use. The Recovery Center also maintains a social media marketing presence (for example, Facebook) where members can view notifications of upcoming activities or cancellations.

Transportation The Recovery Center may, at times, provide its members with rides to and from scheduled center-sponsored community activities. Members must be physically able to get in and out of the vehicle. If not capable, members will need to seek other modes of transportation to participate in the community activity.

All individuals must wear properly fastened safety belts whenever transportation is provided by the Recovery Center. All State Vehicles are tobacco-free (This includes smoking, vaping or chewing tobacco products).

Meals and/or Food Distribution The Recovery Center may, at times, offer meals and/or food distribution. See Attachment 4A for current mealtimes and food distribution dates and details.

Health and Safety Information As a contracted entity of the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, the Recovery Center is committed to providing a safe environment and workplace for members and staff. All DHS facilities, contract facilities, and properties are weapons-free, including administrative offices and State Fleet Vehicles. Members, staff, and visitors may not bring guns, knives, pepper spray, Tasers or other weapons into any location, with the exception of Law Enforcement. Anyone who brings a weapon into a location will be asked to remove them to their personal vehicle or residence.

It is prohibited to use, manufacture, solicit, trade, and/or offer for sale alcohol, illegal drugs, unauthorized prescription medication, or intoxicants on or in the property of the Recovery Center.

In the event of an emergency safety protocols and procedures will be followed as directed.

It is the policy of the Recovery Center to utilize Therapeutic Response Intervention to de-escalate a member. Recovery Centers do not utilize physical or chemical restraints and/or seclusion measures during stages of challenging behavior.

Guests Member guests are welcome at the Recovery Center. Guests must arrive and leave with the member with whom they arrived. Members are responsible to ensure guests are aware of the Center’s rules and guidelines. If the guests are under 18 years of age, the member must be with them at all times. Guests may be asked to leave if they violate rules or guidelines.

Tobacco Policy The Recovery Center is tobacco-free. This includes chewing tobacco and vaping. The use of any tobacco or nicotine products must be off property. Please be respectful and dispose of your cigarette, chew, or litter in the garbage and not on the property.

Nicotine replacement therapy (patches, lozenges, gum, etc.) and counseling resources are not available at the Recovery Center, but staff can assist you with accessing community resources that are known to be available.

Service Animals As a contracted entity of the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, the Recovery Center is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities in fulfilling its responsibilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Persons with disabilities may be accompanied by working service animals in the Recovery Centers consistent with the provisions of the state policy. Review the state policy for further information or request information from the Recovery Center Director.

Incident Reports Staff will fill out an Incident Report when a member is asked to leave the Recovery Center or center-sponsored activity due to disruptive behaviors; this includes any temporary suspension of membership. The report will be reviewed by the Recovery Center Director, who will then meet with the member. These reports will be kept in the member’s file and copies will be sent to the Managing Agency and local Human Service Center (if the member is a client of the Human Service Center and there is a Release of Information).

Grievances The Recovery Center is committed to providing quality care and recovery-based services to all individuals. You have the right to be free from discrimination, harm, sexual harassment, sexual abuse and retaliation by other members, staff members, contractors, or volunteers. Individuals have a right to complain and/or grieve services without fear of retaliation or discrimination. You may request a Grievance Form from the staff at the Recovery Center and make attempt to resolve at the lowest possible level. If your complaints or grievances cannot be addressed and satisfactorily resolved with your Recovery Center Director, you have the right to contact its managing agency or the local HSC. Contact information is located on the cover page of this document.

With member-to-member disputes, members are encouraged to settle disputes amongst themselves. When necessary, a formal grievance hearing can be scheduled with the Recovery Center Director.

Evaluation of Programming The Recovery Center is required to conduct an annual state-created consumer satisfaction survey. Results of the satisfaction survey must be submitted to the HSC within the first month of completion. No personal or identifying information is included.

The Recovery Center is required to submit Recovery Center Weekly Statistical Reports to the HSC each Monday. No personal or identifying information is included.

The Recovery Center is required to submit state-created Recovery Center Quarterly Outcome Reports to the HSC on a Quarterly basis by the 15th of each subsequent quarter. No personal or identifying information is included.

The Recovery Center must submit an annual contract compliance report to the HSC providing updates and addressing progress made on each of the activities contained in the contract. The report shall be completed and turned into the HSC by August 1st of each year.

Attachment 1A - Membership Application Form

Attachment 2A- Current Hours of Operation

The Recovery Center must be open a minimum of forty hours per week; this may include some evening and weekend hours based on member preference. The hours of operation for the Recovery Center are determined with member participation during member meetings. These are the current Hours of Operation, as determined by the members.

Sunday:

Monday:

Tuesday:

Wednesday:

Thursday:

Friday:

Saturday:

Attachment 3A - Center-Specific Rules

In this attachment you will find the member-agreed upon rules for the Recovery Center. This may include information related to phone usage, laundry usage, tv/radio usage, game usage, member to member borrowing, sleeping, substance use, public displays of affection, etc.

Attachment 4A - Current mealtimes and food distribution details.

In this attachment, you will find the details related to what food services, if any, are offered by the Recovery Center, and what day/s of the week they are provided. This may include in-person meals, to-go meals, and/or food baskets.

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