T1908- Attachment 2-Resident Handbook Sep2018.docx

2011Revised 1 September 2018 Resident Handbook Veteran’s Haven

NJ Department of Military and Veteran’s Affairs-Division of Veteran’s Services.

Post Office Box 80 301 Spring Garden Rd Winslow, NJ 08095

State of New Jersey

DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

VETERANS HAVEN SOUTH

P.O. BOX 80, 301 SPRING GARDEN ROAD

WINSLOW, NEW JERSEY 08095-0080

Philip D. Murphy Governor Commander-in-Chief Sheila Oliver Lieutenant Governor

Jemal J. Beale Brigadier General The Adjutant General

1 September 2018

INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM

TO: All Residents at Veteran’s Haven South

FROM: Superintendent

SUBJECT: Resident’s Handbook

Welcome to Veteran’s Haven South (VHS). This handbook has been developed to make your transition easier while in this program. It contains basic guidelines to assist you in your daily activities during your stay at the facility. It is the responsibility of each resident to abide by these rules as a condition of continued participation in this program. There are chores, details, meetings, fire drills, policies and procedures that you are expected to follow and participate in during your stay.

Our mission is to improve the quality of life for all Veterans that come through our doors. We have assembled a dedicated team of professionals to assist in preparing you for independent living in the community. It is important to remember that this is not a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program; rather we are a vocational program where you are expected to return to work and/or find alternative income sources, and move towards finding permanent housing in a reasonable time frame.

While we aim to make your stay here as comfortable as possible, the most important ingredient to your success in your transition is YOU! Keep in mind why you are here and what you need to do in order to move forward.

Make the most of the opportunities you are given. If you should have any questions or concerns while you are here feel free to talk with any staff member. We welcome your suggestions.

Welcome and Wish You Success!

Veteran’s Transitional Housing Program Resident Handbook

General Information

A. Orientation:

Upon admission to the Veteran’s Transitional Housing Program, hereafter known as Veteran’s Haven South, you will begin an orientation period. The orientation period will typically last seven (7) days or until all requirements are completed. The treatment team may recommend an extended orientation period on a case by case basis to the Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent. The purpose of this orientation phase is for:

1. Evaluation by the treatment team

2. Completing required medical, physiological and vocational testing.

3. Getting acquainted with the area

4. Getting acquainted with the program and staff.

Your priority and focus during the orientation period is to complete all requirements as outlined by the treatment team. During this orientation period you will be required to meet with each treatment team member and administration. Before being released from orientation, the resident must have completed all required testing, evaluations, classes/groups and chores as directed.

While on orientation you are not authorized to leave the facility grounds without approval. There may be exceptions, such as work, training, medical and legal appointments, emergencies or other justifiable situations. Passes may be granted with the recommendation of the treatment team and approval of the Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent.

At the end of the orientation period the resident will meet with the treatment team and form an agreed upon treatment plan detailing specific goals and how to achieve those goals. Once treatment plan is completed and the resident has fulfilled all orientation obligations, they will be officially released from orientation.

B. Treatment

Our number one priority is to enable each Veteran to successfully meet their established goals and transition to permanent housing. We are here as a team to assist you in every way possible. With that being said, we are not here to “do it” for you. That is your responsibility. The staff we have assembled will help you in every way they can, but will insist that you do the work, and you must be accountable for yourself.

1. Orientation Phase- All residents that come to the facility are placed on orientation. This allows for the creation of your treatment plan, and familiarization with the rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the facility

2. Treatment Plan Review- Treatment plans which include addiction, employment, sustainable income, financial, medical, and psycho-social aspects, are reviewed every 90 days with each resident and their case manager. Residents that are found to be in compliance with their treatment plan will have their plan amended to document progress and establish new goals. Residents found to be non-compliant with any aspect of their treatment plan will be advised of their deficiencies and develop an adjusted plan as required. This may include the resident being placed on a contract, which will stipulate a specific goal, and compliance date. Failure to meet the compliance date may result in discharge from the facility.

3. Full time Work- All residents able to work are expected to be employed full time within 90 days after coming off orientation. Full time is considered 35 hours per week or more. Working “under the table” is not considered employment and is not allowed. Failure to get employment, or failure to adequately seek employment as determined by the treatment team, may result in you being placed on contract. Your case managers, and the vocational counselors are here to assist you in finding employment, they are not here to find work for you. That is your responsibility.

4. Disability Compensation- Residents unable to work due to a disability, will be directed to pursue all disability income sources they may qualify for. Treatment team and Veteran Service Officers will assist and provide guidance as required.

5. Fulltime School- At the next semester’s start, residents attending school full time must be enrolled in school. Full time is considered 12 credits per semester. Technical schools also satisfy the school criteria.

6. Work / School- Residents can also satisfy the work/school criteria by working part time and going to school part time. In order to do this the resident must be working at least 18 hours per week, and taking 6 credits per semester. Residents utilizing GI Bill and receiving a housing allowance, also satisfy school/income requirement.

7. Case management- You are required to meet with your case manager weekly. They will work with you and around any work/school schedule you may have in order to facilitate a meeting. You are encouraged to meet with them as often as you need in order to better facilitate the implementation of your treatment plan.

8. Meeting sheets- These sheets are required to be turned in to your counselor weekly. The amount of meetings and type of meetings will vary based on your treatment plan.

9. Job Search Forms- These forms are required to be turned in weekly by residents that are unemployed and able to work. The amount of forms required for each resident will vary depending on your treatment plan. At least half of the job search forms you turn in, must be, in-person attempts. The forms must be completely filled out and include the name and phone number of the contact person you spoke to when inquiring about a job.

C. Addictions policy

Veteran’s Haven South is a drug and alcohol free program. There are several methods we employ to ensure compliance with this standard:

1. Breathalyzer testing- All residents are subject to breathalyzer testing immediately upon their return to the facility. Regardless of the duration of their absence and regardless if they were with staff or not, testing will be conducted on all residents returning to the facility, as they return. Any time a resident signs out and leaves the facility, even if a resident is on pass, but spends the pass in the building, they are subject to testing. Any resident that tests positive for alcohol may be discharged from the program as per the involuntary discharge policy. Residents refusing to take a breathalyzer test may be discharged from the program in accordance with involuntary discharge procedures. Any staff member that has reason to believe that a resident may be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage can request a breathalyzer test from that resident through the shift supervisor. Failure to comply may result in the resident’s involuntary discharge. Any resident in possession of alcoholic beverages may be discharged IAW involuntary discharge procedure.

2. Drug Testing- All residents of the facility are subject to drug testing. Drug testing can be scheduled or random.

3. Drug testing will be done with an in-house drug testing kit, or Resident may be sent to the VAMC for follow-up testing if required.

4. All residents when first entering the facility for admission will be tested for drugs and alcohol.

5. All residents will submit to random testing for drugs and /or alcohol when asked by any staff member of the facility.

6. All residents returning to the facility from being signed out on work, pass, store run etc…are subject to testing for drugs and/or alcohol.

7. Residents who refuse to submit to a drug and or alcohol test may be discharged from the facility in accordance with the involuntary discharge procedures.

8. Residents who cannot provide a specimen for a drug or alcohol test will follow these guidelines:

a. Resident will be informed you have 2 hours to submit a sample for testing to staff. Failure to submit a sample within 2 hours may result in discharge in accordance with the involuntary discharge procedure. During the 2 hour window, the resident will remain in the front lobby, in view of the staff at all times.

b. An incident report will be prepared, noting the date, time, resident name and situation.

c. The resident will be monitored at all times, and ingest nothing more than water. soda, coffee or tea.

d. Resident may be sent to the VAMC for follow-up testing if required.

9. Gambling addiction is a progressive disease that devastates the gambler. Gambling can be an illness as much as alcohol or drug addiction. Residents with a known gambling habit or suspected habit will be required to attend Gamblers Anonymous meetings as determined by the treatment team.

10. All residents are required to attend the specified number of AA, NA or GA meetings as determined by the treatment team and the residents TPR. Failure to do so is a violation of the treatment plan and subjects the individual to discharge from the facility.

11. Residents must report all prescribed narcotic pain relief drugs to the treatment team nurse. Nurse will monitor your prescriptions and can valid any positive drug test that may occur.

D. Social Conduct

1. Residents are expected to behave in an orderly manner with other residents, staff, and visitors.

2. Residents will not display pornographic material anywhere in the building. This includes viewing pornographic, material except in the privacy of the resident’s room.

3. Residents will refrain from raucous behavior or disturbances which may be annoyances to others.

4. Televisions and radios must be played softly so as not to be heard outside of the residents room. Residents with hearing loss may be required to purchase and use ear phones.

5. While residents of the facility, residents are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner while out of the facility on trips, job search, pass or any other reason.

6. Residents will not possess any weapons while a resident of the facility. This includes knives, firearms, fireworks, or any other type of instrument that may cause injury or damage to persons or property. This applies to all visitors. Any weapons violation will result in discharge. Residents requiring a knife, box cutter, etc. for work purposes may request an exception to policy and will ensure item is maintained in a secure manner.

7. The use of profanity is highly discouraged, but is prohibited in the presence of staff and visitors. Likewise, it is not acceptable for staff or visitors to use profanity in the presence of residents. Any violations should be immediately reported up the chain of command.

8. Fraternization:

a. Physical or intimate relations between staff and residents are prohibited. Fraternization between staff and residents may result in the immediate removal of the resident from this facility. Fraternization is defined as but is not limited to, sexual contact between staff and resident, social contact between staff and resident other than that scheduled by the facility and questions of a sexual or personal nature.

b. Any type of financial transaction between staff and employees is prohibited. This is further defined as the borrowing or lending of monies, regardless of amounts, buying or the lending, or selling of any goods, i.e. food, electronics, vehicles, movies..etc..

c. Payment for services between staff and residents is prohibited. This is defined as, but is not limited to washing cars, shining shoes, working around staff members’ homes etc…

d. The selling, loaning or giving of items between staff and residents is forbidden. This includes but is not limited to food, electronics, cell phones, automobiles, movies, CD’s etc…

9. Appropriate attire is to be worn at all times while moving around the facility. Residents are not to go to and from the latrine for example, naked or in a bath towel. Residents are not to walk around the facility in pajamas. Clothing that has inappropriate logo’s or offensive pictures, symbols, sayings or can in any way be construed as offensive are not authorized to be worn. Residents are not to move around the facility in any state of undress or in bare feet.

E. Resident’s Rights

Each resident is entitled to the following:

1. To participate in the planning of his/her own treatment plan.

2. To be free from physical and mental abuse.

3. To manage his/her own finances or have the responsibility delegated to an assigned guardian with power or attorney.

4. To live in a safe, decent and clean conditions in a facility that does not admit more residents than it can safely accommodate.

5. To be treated with courtesy, consideration and respect.

6. To wear his or her own clothing.

7. To keep his or her personal property, unless this would be unsafe, impractical, or an infringement on the rights of other residents. The facility will take precautions to ensure that the residents’ personal possessions can be secured from theft or loss.

8. To have physical privacy. The resident will be allowed to maintain the privacy of his or her own body, Residents may visit with their spouse or significant other in their rooms. Visits will not interfere with residents programs and services. Spouses, significant others or visitors suspected of bringing contraband into the facility will be evicted and denied further access to Veteran’s Haven.

9. To confidential treatment of information about the resident. Information in the resident’s records shall not be released to anyone outside or inside the facility unless there is a need to know, and without the residents approval.

10. To have access to a telephone without anyone deliberately listening to their conversation.

11. To be responsible for their own wakeup.

12. To attend outside religious services at his/her own expense.

13. To participate in meals, recreation, and social activities without being subjected to discrimination based on age, race, religion, sex, nationality or disability.

14. To discharge him/herself from the facility at any time by presenting a release signed by the resident.

15. To retain and exercise all the constitutional, civil, and legal rights to which the resident is entitled by law. The facility will encourage and help each resident to exercise these rights.

16. To register to vote.

17. To voice complaints and concerns without fear of threat or punishment. Each resident is entitled to present his or her grievances to the facility administrator and staff, to government agencies or others without fear or interference, discharge or reprisal.

18. To be informed of all rules and regulations, policies and procedures of the facility, as it pertains to the resident and his/her stay at the facility.

F. Contact information:

1. Mailing address- Your mailing address while at Veteran’s Haven South will be:

(YOUR NAME)

With the exception of Sundays and holidays, mail is picked up daily from the Winslow post office at approximately 12:45 pm. Once back at the facility mail is sorted and placed in the resident mail boxes.

Outgoing mail is collected in the front office in a mail box that is taken to the post office every time mail is picked up. Residents must supply their own postage for mail.

2. Telephone

Personal phone calls are only authorized on a front office line in case of emergency. There is a 3 minute time limit on any call received for a resident on one of the front office lines.

Residents are authorized to possess cell phones while staying at the facility. The responsibility of personal cell phones is with the resident, not the facility.

3. Computer usage- Every resident is furnished with an email address and access to a computer and the internet while residing at Veteran’s Haven South. The usage of that email address, computer and internet is a privilege, not a right. Prior to using the state computer system, every resident must read, understand and sign for a copy of the department’s computer use agreement. Violation of any terms or conditions of the computer use agreements may result in the user’s account getting suspended, or deleted. The department’s computer use agreement is located in Appendix B of this manual.

G. Identification:

Upon admission to Veteran’s Haven South, every veteran will be issued a photo identification card. This identification card must be carried at all times.

H. Key Control:

Residents will be issued a key to their individual room as well as a key FOB. The key will allow the resident access to their room only. The FOB will allow residents access to the facility from the front or rear doors during normal hours. It is the residents responsibility to lock his/her door whenever they are not in their rooms. Veteran’s Haven South takes no responsibility for lost or stolen items of residents, regardless of whether the room was locked or not.

The front and rear doors of the facility will be locked daily from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am. Residents FOB’s will not open any outside doors between these hours. To gain entry during this time, residents must ring the doorbell located on the outside front entrance. A member of the RLS staff or another resident will let you in. The front entrance is the only entrance to the building after 11:00pm.

Regardless of the time of day, doors to the facility are never to be “propped” open, regardless of the reason. This is a key controlled facility which must remain secure at all times. Any time a resident leaves the facility, he/she should have their keys with them so they can regain entrance. Residents caught propping the door open may lose their key privileges.

Residents that lose their keys and require replacements will be charged the cost of the key that is being replaced.

I. Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided for each resident in the kitchen and are served at the following times:

1. Concerns regarding meals should be relayed to the shift supervisor.

2. Dishes, cups/mugs, flatware, salt and pepper shakers, sugar containers, utensils (other than plastic), are not to be removed from the kitchen for any reason. If a resident wishes to take food to their room, they must do so in their own Tupperware containers. Styrofoam lunch trays are not provided for this purpose.

3. Special dietary needs must be approved by the nurse, and backed up with the appropriate medical documentation. The kitchen at Ancora does its best to meet the special dietary needs of any resident that has one.

4. No food is to be brought into the computer lab or recreation rooms.

5. The kitchen will be closed for one hour after each meal for the purpose of cleaning. This is so the kitchen can be cleaned and prepped for the next meal.

6. Residents that are signed out of the facility for work, school or job hunting, can have the meal they will not be present for saved for them in a Styrofoam lunch container. Residents must annotate on the sign out sheet at the time of sign out which meal they want saved. This meal will be prepared by staff and saved for 24 hours in the kitchen refrigerator. After 24 hours the meal will be discarded. Residents that sign up for a saved meal, but return during the actual meal, will be removed from the saved meal list.

7. No resident is authorized to serve themselves or others from the steam table. Only staff members of the facility are authorized to serve meals and prepare food trays. All staff that are serving food are required to wear a hair net on their head that encases all of their hair within it. They are also required to wear gloves and an apron as they serve.

8. The weekly menu is posted each week in the kitchen.

9. Appropriate attire is to be worn at all times during meals.

10. Use of the microwaves located in the kitchen is authorized for all residents. Please clean any mess that you may leave in either microwave, prior to leaving the kitchen. You must stay with the microwave while it is cooking/heating to avoid melting, burning, or any other damage that may ruin the machine and or set off the fire alarm.

J. Laundry

Laundry machines are provided on all three floors so that residents can wash personal clothing. The assumption is made that every resident that comes through these doors knows how to use the laundry machines. If you do not, the responsibility is on you to seek assistance from the staff in order to safely operate the machinery and to avoid damaging it. Instructions for the machines are posted in each laundry room. Several things to remember when using the laundry rooms:

1. You are to clean up your mess after you are done using the machines. This includes:

a. Checking the machines to ensure no pens, change, lighters or loose objects are in them

b. Cleaning out the lint traps from each dryer after use.

c. Disposing of your trash.

d. Making sure the lights are out when you leave the laundry room.

2. Personal laundry will be done weekly. Rooms that have an excess of dirty clothes being stock piled will be referred to the case manager.

3. Wash your bed sheets once a week with your personal laundry. You will only get one set of sheets during your stay at this facility. The onus is on you to keep them clean. A resident may at any time, purchase sheets for themselves out of their own pocket.

4. Adding of any detergents or softeners is neither necessary, nor permitted, in the A wing laundry rooms as those machines are auto-dispensing.

5. Laundry rooms may be used 24/7. Residents must be courteous to their peers in reference to the noise levels when using the laundry rooms at any given time.

K. Transportation

A. Personal Vehicles- Residents are permitted to maintain personal vehicles on State property. In order for the vehicle to be parked on state property, it must be registered with the state and insured. A copy of the registration and insurance card must be forwarded to the Assistant Superintendent and will be kept on file in the office.

1) All resident vehicles must have passed NJ state inspection and be road worthy. If the vehicle’s inspection, registration or insurance lapse, the vehicle must be removed from state property within 48 hours.

2) In the case of a snow emergency, parking may be relegated to the street until the parking lot is cleared. Residents are responsible for clearing their own vehicle off after a snow emergency.

3) Residents on orientation are not permitted to leave the facility in their vehicle during their blackout period without permission from the Superintendent.

All personal vehicles that are parked on state property can be subjected to searches by the Superintendent at any time. Failure to allow search can and will be cause for discharge.

B. Facility vehicles Veteran’s Haven South maintains a fleet of vehicles to use in the implementation of the facility mission. These vehicles are used at the discretion of administration. Facility vehicles are used for the following purposes:

1. To transport residents to and from approved VA medical appointments. Transportation times however, will vary according to the best needs of the facility, and may have you arriving for your appointment several hours early if there are residents that have appointments before yours.

2. To transport residents to NA/AA meetings, according to the established meeting schedule and location.

3. Bus stop runs- Bus stops are currently located at the Waterford WAWA, and at the Avandale transportation hub. Runs to the bus stop leave the facility according to the established run schedule. Residents must sign up for the bus stop run at least 15 minutes prior to the run they are requesting. Residents must also sign out in the sign out log, even if they are returning on the same van.

4. Outside events- The vehicles are often used for outside events that are set up for the residents. These events include but are not limited to, parties, fishing trips, sporting events etc… There is also a van available to the treatment team, which will be used for job fairs and other treatment oriented functions.

5. Meal pickup- Meals are picked up three times a day from the Ancora hospital by a staff member and the residents assigned to the kitchen chore.

6. If at any time s staff member asks you to vacate the vehicle before departure you must abide.

Any other use of the state vehicles must be approved by the Superintendent or his designee. Vehicles are not used to transport residents to their jobs, or on pass. The vehicles are not authorized to make “pit” stops along the way from one authorized destination to another.

Non residents or visitors are not authorized to ride in the state vehicles unless authorized in advance by the Superintendent or his designee. At no time will a resident be authorized to operate a state vehicle. As in all state vehicles, smoking is prohibited and seat belts must be worn at all times.

L. Computer Lab

The computer lab is a privilege to those living in the facility.

Computer Lab Rules

1. No food.

2. No raucous behavior.

3. No malicious destruction of facility property.

4. Follow all components of the Computer Resources Acceptable Use Policy Agreement.

i. User account will not be created until the Computer Resources Acceptable Use Policy Agreement is signed.

ii. Computer Resources Acceptable Use Policy Agreement is given at the time of in-take for review and signature.

iii. Failure to sign or adhere to the policy will be cause for the revocation of computer privileges.

5. No printing in excess. Only school and/or work related documents are acceptable.

Failure to abide may cause for printing privileges to cease for everyone.

6. VHS is not responsible for items left behind in the computer lab.

7. Any electronic documents or files are not to be stored on the hard drives of any computer.

8. Computers are not to be moved to other work areas by the residents.

9. You are not authorized to fix the computers or the printer. If you encounter an issue with a VHS computer, you must immediately notify the Records Clerk

10. You are not authorized to unplug network wires from computers.

11. You are not authorized to plug personal devices such as phones, computers laptops or tablets to VHS desktop computers or network connections. Flash drives are the only authorized devices to be plugged into VHS computers.

M. Signing in/out

Accountability of residents at all times is a top priority. Residents are required to sign in and out every time they leave the facility on the resident sign in/out log. The sign in/out log is located by the front office. Regardless of the duration of the trip, every resident needs to sign out even if they leave with a staff member on a state vehicle. Residents that are on pass, but choose to spend their pass time in the building, must still sign in and out of the building even if they are signed out on pass in the pass book. When signing in or out residents need to legibly print their name and room number, the date, time of sign out or in, and destination, i.e.…work, school, pass, DMV etc. Residents are not permitted to sign another resident in or out. Residents wanting to have a meal saved for them for the upcoming lunch or dinner that will not be present for that meal can also check off to have the meal saved for them. The staff will save a meal for 24 hours.

Repeated failure to sign in or out as instructed could result in expulsion from the facility.

N. Curfew

Due to the nature of this facility, and the security requirements it is necessary to have a curfew in place that all residents must abide by. All residents, regardless of what phase they are in, will abide by the curfews for the facility. Curfew times have been established as:

Sunday through Thursday – 11:00pm Friday and Saturday – 1:00am

1. Residents may not leave the facility after the set curfew times through 7:00am. Those who leave at these times will be considered AWOL unless there was a preapproved adjustment.

2. Residents that will arrive past curfew have the responsibility of calling the facility and reporting their intentions. Residents out past curfew without permission will be considered AWOL, regardless of whether or not the facility was notified of the late return. A call to the facility does not constitute permission to be late; it merely serves as notice that you will be late.

3. Residents that work or attend school in the evenings will have their curfew adjusted accordingly by request. It is your responsibility to submit work and school schedules to your case manager.

4. Residents that are listed as AWOL will be given a urinalysis and a breathalyzer immediately upon return to the facility.

5. A third instance of being AWOL will result in discharge from the facility.

6. Residents who are AWOL for 48 hours will be automatically discharged from the facility.

O. Pass

Residents are eligible for an overnight pass upon completion of their orientation phase and after a case conference with the facilities treatment team.

Pass procedure and rules are as follows:

a. Passes typically are from Friday 8:00am (depending on work/school status of the resident) to Sunday 11:00pm.

b. Residents may request an earlier sign out time due to work/school schedules, but it must be requested in advance and approved by the Superintendent or designee.

c. Residents that work during normal pass hours, may request alternate days off for a pass.

d. One pass per week is allowed for each resident. Exceptions for more than one pass per week must be approved by the Superintendent or designee.

e. Pass request forms are available from the front office and must be completed and turned in to the Staff Supervisor no later than 12:00 noon on Tuesday for the current pass week and will be reviewed by 12:00 noon Thursday of the pass week.

f. Approval of passes is based upon the completion of chores and submission of meeting slips.

g. Passes will only be approved by the Staff Supervisor, Assistant Superintendent or Superintendent, and will be signed and placed in the pass book on Friday morning.

h. Passes that are disapproved will be returned to the Veteran by Thursday with justification.

i. Residents returning from pass are subject to breathalyzer and/or urinalysis testing.

j. Pass is a privilege, and may be revoked or forfeited at any time by the Superintendent or his designee for abuse of the pass system, or violations of house rules, regulations, policies or procedures.

k. Pass requests longer than 3 days will be processed through the Residents case manager for the Superintendent or designee approval in advance of the date requested. (Copy will be provided to GPD Liaison, Administrative Assistant and Record Keeping for census and billing)

DAY PASS (Orientation Phase):

Residents still in the orientation phase will require a day pass signed by their Case Manager or the Treatment Team Supervisor, and approved by the Assistant Superintendent or Superintendent, to leave the facility for work, school, appointments or other justified reasons.

Pass will be completed 24 hours in advance for non-emergent situations.

P. Absent Without Leave (AWOL)

Residents that fail to return from pass on the designated return date and time, leave the facility without approval or notice will be placed in an Absent Status.

Residents that are absent for 24 hours will be placed in an AWOL Status and processed for discharge within 48 hours.

Per VA guidelines, if a resident is voluntarily absent for a period of two weeks or more, they will be discharged from the GPD program.

Q. Visitors

All visitors will sign in and out in the visitor log book at the front office when arriving and when departing the facility.

Visiting hours are set so as not to hamper any resident from doing his or her best to comply with their goals or those of other residents:

Those residents that work swing shifts may have their visiting hours adjusted. Prior arrangements must be made through the Assistant Superintendent or Superintendent, who in turn will notify the human services staff of any arrangements made. In no case will visitors be allowed to stay overnight.

All visitors will respect the rights, privacy, and property of other residents, employees and the State of New Jersey.

As this is an alcohol and drug free program, all visitors must abide by the rules of the program. If a visitor is intoxicated or appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, staff will evict the visitor from the building.

Visitors must sign in and out for themselves. Residents and/or staff are not authorized to sign a visitor in or out.

All visitors must enter and exit the facility through the front door. Residents are not permitted to bring visitors into the facility through the back doors. Visitors are not permitted to spend the night.

R. Rent

All residents that are working or receiving money from any source are required to pay rent monthly.

Residents will pay 30% of their adjusted net income, less any court ordered fines, payments or other mandatory financial obligations, and less $200 deduction for personal needs. The rent amount for any resident will not exceed $300.00 per month.

At the time of admission and on the fifth day of each month thereafter, the computation of the monthly rent fee is calculated with the resident. The calculation shall be determined by review of all pay stubs, award letters from the U.S. Dept of VA, and the social security administration. Income from all sources is to be disclosed and used in the calculations.

Pay stubs will be turned in to the appropriate case manager weekly, bi-weekly or monthly depending on pay days.

Payment of the monthly rent fee is due the 5th business day of each month.

The only acceptable form of payment for rent is a money order for the total amount due, made payable to “The State of NJ.” The resident should also put his/her name and room number on the money order. Receipts will be issued for each payment made. It is the resident’s responsibility to maintain all records of payments made. No other form of payment is accepted.

Failure to pay rent due in a timely manner will lead to the following actions:

1. 10 days late: Written notice

2. 20 days late: Verbal counseling with Superintendent/Asst. Superintendent

3. 30 days late: Lose of Pass privileges

4. 60 days late: Written notification of discharge issued

5. 90 days late: Discharge from the facility for non-compliance

At the time of discharge, there will not be any reimbursement to the resident for any pre-paid rental fees.

S. Financial responsibilities of residents

Residents are responsible for all financial obligations he/she incurs for services not provided by the program. This includes, but is not limited to:

1. Transportation costs

2. Health care costs, to include;

a. Medical appointments

b. Hospitalization

c. Co-pays and deductibles

3. Specialized services, programs, treatments or training

4. Adaptive equipment

5. Diagnostic services

6. Legal services

7. Any other outside services as requested by the resident

The Veterans Haven program shall not be responsible for any debts incurred by a Resident.

All personal property of the resident is the responsibility of the resident. The facility shall not be responsible and shall not reimburse a resident for loss or damage or personal items.

T. Resident rooms

Residents are provided basic room furnishings by the facility. These furnishings are the property of the State of New Jersey and are not to be removed, defaced, or broken. The residents’ room will be inventoried upon your admission to this facility, and it will also be inventoried upon your discharge from the facility. Periodically, throughout your stay, the room will be inspected by a member of the human services staff. Room inspections will be conducted at a minimum, twice monthly, but may be inspected at any time by a member of the human services staff. The human services staff is not authorized to go into your drawers, closets or through your belongings. Their inspection is for overall cleanliness, and room inventory. The Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, or Staff Supervisor are authorized to inspect and check all areas and objects in your room as a health and welfare measure, as well as inspecting for contraband or other prohibited items. These health and welfare inspections can occur at any time. All residents that live in Veteran’s Haven understand and agree that:

1. Room cleanliness and order are the responsibility of the resident. The facility will supply all of the necessary supplies to ensure the room can be cleaned. The responsibility for cleaning is on the resident. Cleaning supplies are to be returned to the RLS staff when finished cleaning rooms, or completing chores.

2. Residents that fail room inspection are subject to punitive actions to include removal from double rooms, forfeiture of pass privileges, and or discharge from the facility.

3. Hoarding is defined as “the accumulation” of materials and goods for preservation, future use.” Residents that are believed to be hoarding will be given the opportunity to “trim down” the excess. Failure to abide by this directive could result in discharge from the facility.

4. No changes are to be made to any room without the approval of the Superintendent or his designee. This includes but is not limited to painting, carpeting, shelving, lighting, plumbing or attaching anything to any wall, drilling holes or any other structural change.

5. Refrigerators are present in each room and are the property of the State of New Jersey – they are not to be removed, given to another resident, defaced, or broken. It must be kept clean and neat at all times, otherwise it will be removed from your room.

6. Residents are not authorized to keep appliances of any kind, except for small refrigerators, in their rooms. This includes but is not limited to, coffee makers, microwave ovens, hot plates, electric frying pans, electric can openers, toaster ovens etc. If appliances are found in your room they will be confiscated and returned upon your discharge from the facility.

7. Extension cords and outlet multipliers are not authorized for use. The only cord permitted in any resident room is a power strip or surge protector. Any other cord or multiplier will be confiscated as they violate state fire safety codes.

8. Perishable food (food meant to be stored cold), cannot be kept in the resident room unless it is stored in a refrigerator. Non perishable food, cookies, crackers, chips etc…must be stored in air tight containers. It is your responsibility to purchase your own containers.

9. The smoke detectors in each room are for your safety. They are not to be tampered with or removed. If the low battery signal begins to “chirp”, you should see the RLS staff in the front office and they will provide you with a replacement battery. The doors to the resident rooms should not be obstructed at any time for any reason. This includes hanging curtains, flags or any other obstruction from the door or frame. In the B and C wing double rooms, neither door may be obstructed from the inside.

10. TV/radio/music volume should be kept low enough so that it cannot be heard outside of the room. Residents that have hearing issues may be required to purchase headphones, so as not to disturb other residents in the facility.

11. Air conditioners, lights, TV’s, radios, computers should not be left on when you are not in your room. When you leave your room, these items should be powered down so as to conserve electricity.

12. The furniture that is supplied to your room is to remain in your room. You are not authorized to remove furniture for any reason. When you sign in to your room, all furniture is inventoried, and it will also be inventoried when you leave. You may, with the permission of the Assistant Superintendent or Superintendent add furniture to your room. Furniture or electronics found in the room without permission will be removed.

13. Each resident is given a key to their room. You should carry your key on you at all times. Do not leave your room unlocked. This facility, department, or the state is not responsible for the theft of your belongings because you failed to secure your room. Do not leave your door open for anyone, or lend anyone your key. If you lose your key the cost of a replacement key is $7.00. The replacement of the key FOB is $10.00.

Disciplinary Action:

1. Residents who fail to complete their chores or fail a room inspection must have a meeting with their assigned case manager that same week to address the concern and to devise a plan to remedy the situation.

2. Repeated room inspection failures may result in a behavioral contract and associated disciplinary actions, which will be issued by the Staff Supervisor and signed by administration. Copies of the contract will be distributed to the assigned case manager, veteran, and administration.

U. Smoking

All state facilities, by law, are smoke free. There is no smoking at any time in this facility or its’ vehicles. Smoking is only authorized in designated smoking areas. Any resident found to be in violation of the smoking policy will be given one written warning. The next violation will result in discharge from the facility for non compliance.

1. Smoking is only authorized in designated smoking areas.

2. Lighters, matches, cigarettes, embers, and other combustible materials will not be thrown into wastebaskets. These items must be disposed of in the receptacles provided at the designated smoking areas.

3. Cigarette butts, cigar ends, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco is not to be thrown on the grounds, in the flower beds or any other area other than the approved disposal containers.

4. As currently constructed, the only 2 smoking areas at the facility are the gazebo in front of the facility, and the C-wing patio at the rear of the facility. Future smoking areas may be added or changed at the discretion of management.

5. Cigarettes/cigars are not to be extinguished on the exterior surfaces of the facility.

6. Residents are not authorized to smoke in their rooms.

7. All staff, visitors and guests are expected to abide by the same smoking rules and regulations as residents.

V. Fire Safety Fire safety is the responsibility of everyone that lives and works here. Every resident, upon admission to the facility should make themselves familiar with all fire exits. The fire escape plan is posted in every hallway of the facility, and should be followed should there be a need to evacuate the building. The hard copy of the facilities fire safety rules and regulations are kept in the front office and may be viewed at any time by anyone, as long as they are not removed from the lobby area. Several things to remember for fire safety:

1. You are to follow the instructions from staff should the fire alarm sound.

2. Every resident is required to respond to any fire alarm that sounds in the building regardless of what you are doing, or are in the middle of. If the fire alarm sounds, you are to exit the facility as fast as possible and assemble at one of two rally points:

a. Across the street from the main entrance on the grass.

b. The back of the building at the rear of the parking lot. (If you respond out here, you will then be directed to the main rally point at the front of the building for accountability.)

3. When the alarm sounds you are to exit the building as quickly as possible through the nearest emergency exit.

4. No one will be allowed back into the building until the Supervisor on duty has an accountability of all residents and has been given an all clear by the fire official on site, or the drill has concluded.

5. Emergency fire exits are not to be used for general exit purposes, likewise the two fire towers in the building are only to be used during an actual fire alarm.

6. During an alarm, the elevator will be recalled to the first floor and will not be usable. Do not attempt to use the elevator during a fire alarm!

7. There will be a minimum of one fire drill per month at the facility. The fire drill can occur at any time, and on any day.

8. Any resident found to not be responding to the fire drills will given a written warning for the first infraction. Failure to respond to a second drill may result in discharge from the facility.

W. Chores

Residents are expected to complete their assigned chores during their stay at the facility. Chores can be assigned on a rotating or a consistent basis, depending upon the needs of the veteran and facility. Veterans who are medically unable to complete some or all of a chore will require a doctor’s note stating their limitations and include a time period in which it is in effect.

Chore procedures are as follows:

1. Chores are assigned and overseen by a specific shift supervisor, designated by the assistant superintendent or superintendent. This staff member should oversee scheduling of chores, and will be the primary point of contact for veterans to communicate issues, concerns, or any other matters relating to chores to, and in turn, this staff member will communicate those matters to administration.

2. The chore week begins on Monday and ends on Sunday. Residents must complete their chores on Monday, as well as any three days throughout the week.

3. A chore completion log is maintained at the front office by RLS staff, as well as a copy that is given to veterans for their own records. The procedure is that a veteran will complete their assigned chore and approach the front desk to notify staff. RLS staff will physically inspect a resident’s chore upon notice by the veteran that they have completed it. If the chore has been done to standard, the staff member will sign off on both chore sheets. At no time will staff sign off on a chore that has not been physically inspected.

4. On a case by case basis, the superintendent or assistant superintendent may authorize a pass if a resident has not completed their chores, but will require meeting with the resident or staff to evaluate the situation before approval.

5. Veterans seeking exemption from a chore must speak with the nurse and provide a doctor’s note stating the nature of their limitations and the time period in which it is in effect. The note must be on file with both the nurse as well as the designated shift supervisor in charge of chores.

6. Veterans may choose any time that they wish to complete their chores, so long as it done outside of quiet hours and does not cause any unnecessary issues with daily operations.

7. New chores for the following week are posted on Friday, and the following Monday begins the new chore week.

8. Chore completion logs are considered for the following week’s pass approval, and must include 4 completed and signed days for the chore week.

9. Residents who fail to complete their chores or fail a room inspection must have a meeting with their assigned case manager that same week to address the concern and to devise a plan to remedy the situation.

10. The designated shift supervisor who oversees chores may issue a behavioral contract and associated disciplinary actions after 2 incidents of a resident failing to complete their chore. The contract must be signed by administration, and copies should be distributed to the veteran and their assigned case manager, in addition to being on file with RLS and administration.

X. Weekly Detail

Periodically, and at the discretion of the Administration there will be a weekly detail. Weekly detail is only for residents that are unemployed and/or on orientation. Weekly detail is used to complete tasks or maintenance around the facility that will not get completed during normal maintenance of the facility. Weekly detail will always fall on Tuesdays and/or Fridays. Tuesdays detail will be from 0800-1500, and Fridays detail will be from 0800-1200 in order to accommodate pass requests. Weekly detail, when called, is mandatory for all residents on orientation and or unemployed. Advance notice of 24 hours will be given for any weekly detail call. This notice will be posted on the information board inside the facility. Sign outs for any reason for a resident on orientation or unemployed, will not be authorized during the weekly detail period unless proof of another obligation is provided.

Y. Resident Liaison

The resident population will elect, from amongst themselves, a resident liaison to act as…