A New Life Adult Community Placement Residence
Therapeutics Group Home Level II
GOSL, Inc. A New Life Adult Community Placement Residence operates 24 hours a day to total 365 days per year. The administrative office hours are Monday thru Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm. Intakes for prospective placement shall be by appointment only.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Since 2002, the philosophy of Grace of Serenity Living, Inc. has been to provide a range of therapeutic residential and outpatient services to children and youth. In 2009, the agency started the work of establishing a residential facility for adults Women, offering a stable living environment in which they will receive assistance with developing and enhancing independent living skills, activities of daily living, personal symptom management, and community reintegration. We utilize the best clinical practices to assist in fostering independence and developing productivity among otherwise vulnerable members of our communities.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND MODEL
Grace of Serenity Living, Inc. is a residential community placement that was founded in 2002 with the mission of fostering independence and producing productive members of society for adults who have been affected by various life-challenges: severe mental illness, incarceration and release, substance abuse issues, homelessness, and other barriers that influence a person’s level of functioning. The adult residential program is designed to meet the developing needs of females between the ages of 18 and 40. GOSL, Inc. ‘A New Life’ Adult Community Placement operates 24 hours a day, 7 days each week. The administrative office hours are Monday thru Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm. Intakes for prospective placement are accomplished by appointment only.
The Program Director or Designee (the management team) shall determine the admission or re-admission of each consumer to the facility. Once a consumer is accepted, GOSL, Inc. ‘A New Life’ Adult Community Placement will follow the standard of care as set forth by this program description. GOSL, Inc. ‘A New Life’ Adult Community Placement shall provide a safe, clean, and sober environment. This includes, but is not limited to, providing healthy meals, assistance with self-management of medical and psychotropic prescribed medications, selective transportation, and continuous communication with case management to assist with the coordination of care and services stated in the treatment plan.
GOSL, Inc. ‘A New Life’ Adult Community Placement will provide quality treatment services in a residential setting. The residence does not provide services in a secure facility. The client to staff ratio is as follows:
Day/Evening/Awake Hours 1 staff member to 5 residents
Night Shift/Sleeping Hours 1 staff member to 10 residents
Consumer funds will be managed by the consumer, payee, or guardian as determined appropriate by the assigned case management team members. Consumers are responsible for maintaining their own funds. The residence is not responsible for managing consumer funds. The agency will maintain a Consumer Personal Funds policy outlining purpose and procedures.
Description of Services Provided
Assistance in the Self-Administration of Medication
In order to assure that all resident-consumers self-administer their own medications in a consistent and timely manner, direct care staff will be trained to assist consumers with self-administration of medication. Staff will also receive training to ensure correct documentation of all medications taken by the consumer.
Independent Living Skills Training
Direct line staff will be responsible for assisting consumers daily with independent living skills training. Groups will be facilitated to address the needs of participants according to their stated treatment goals. Individual services will address issues best handled individually.
Goal
To identify the strengths and challenges of each resident-consumer and implement daily activities and weekly groups to assist with enhancing life skills. Each consumer shall also be responsible for identifying areas where they can improve; and shall be assisted to develop a plan to achieve those goals for improvement.
Specific Groups
The Program Director or Designee shall be trained to facilitate and teach each level of specialized group. The resident-consumer is required to attend all groups, and participate in treatment stated in their individual treatment plan. The content of the groups shall include but not be limited to:
• Personal Hygiene / Grooming
• Household Maintenance
• Meal Preparation
• Budgeting
• Appropriate Social Interaction
• Community Reintegration
• Vocational Guidance
Emergency Safety Response (ESR)
In the event of an anticipated behavior that creates a substantial and imminent risk in which a resident-consumer may inflict injury on herself or on others, the appropriate authorities will be contacted utilizing 911 Emergency Response. The residence will maintain an ESR policy outlining the purpose and procedures. This policy will be accessible to all working staff.
Counseling Services Provided
The referring agency will be responsible for securing and funding individual counseling as determined necessary by the assigned clinical team. Groups will be facilitated on site to assist with symptom management, utilizing coping skills, self-esteem building, and communication skills development. Groups shall be facilitated twice a week and will be conducted for at least one hour each.
Admitting / Re-Admitting Consumer
The residence will review each referral. Admission and re-admission will be determined on a case-by-case basis. The consumer is enrolled in or eligible to be enrolled in a behavioral health system, through the Regional Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA) or is a member of the community at-large seeking any service offered through our agency. The residence shall comply with the guidelines of the RBHA or Tribal RBHA, its requests, and its expectations, as communicated by contracts. This agency shall cooperate with the annual or scheduled review of the consumer’s case and shall comply with and support the plan of the identified consumers. General admission is determined by, but not limited to the following criteria:
• Behavioral health disorder
• Need for further comprehensive assessment or evaluation
• History of repeated or chronic behavioral health related hospitalizations
• History of serious, violent behavior or self-harm: not currently violently acting out
Client / Consumer Waiting List
If the residence does not have the space to accommodate a potential, appropriate consumer; she shall be placed on a waiting list. This list shall be reviewed daily and the Program Director or Designee shall notify the referring provider of any changes that may have occurred. Consumers shall be accepted in the order they are listed on the waiting list.
Referring Client / Consumer to another Agency
The residence will not be responsible for referring participants to another agency. If the facility cannot meet the needs of an active participant, the clinical team will discuss discharge, and the assigned case management staff will be responsible for securing appropriate placement.
Consumer Discharge
A consumer shall only be discharged, if directed by the clinical team. The discharge documents must be available within fifteen (15) days of the date the consumer shall be discharged. The discharge information shall include but not be limited to:
• Consumer’s personal information
• Person to whom client is being discharged
• Actual dates of plan and discharge from the facility
• Summary of services provided
• Current list of medications with information on purpose and possible interactions
• Summary of progress toward the consumer’s service plan goals
• Recommendations for providers that may assist the consumer with obtaining services
• Completed discharge summary that identifies the persons or providers responsible for follow-up services
• In the event of an unplanned discharge, a summary describing the circumstances surrounding the consumer’s departure
Any consumer who is a danger to others (other residents and employees) and to themselves may be asked to leave the program (INVOLUNTARY DISCHARGE). The determination shall come after the conclusion of an evaluation by a medical/psychiatric expert, a representative from the RBHA, or a licensed or certified mental health expert. Persons removed by law enforcement officer(s) may also be subject to INVOLUNTARY DISCHARGE.
Persons removed by the law enforcement may also be subject to INVOLUNTARY DISCHARGE.
This agency shall not admit a consumer who has a history of being a sexual offender or perpetrator as defined by DES or other mental health experts.
Consumers needing active rehabilitation services for substance abuse may be admitted, if rehabilitation services are in place, or are scheduled to begin, to address this treatment barrier. This agency is neither currently licensed for, nor is it able to provide treatment for substance abuse. This agency shall not allow the consumers to use substances such as alcohol (regardless of the age of the resident-consumer) or illegal/illicit chemicals. Consumers discovered using alcohol and/or illegal substances shall be reviewed with possible removal from this program.
Consumer Transfer to another Agency
If services provided do not meet the needs of the consumer, the Program Director or Designee will work with the case manager, and/or clinical team to access appropriate services. After completing a discharge summary, a written record will be forwarded to the agency when the consumer is transferred.
Declining Services / Treatment
Potential consumers may be declined for admission for the following:
• They do not meet program eligibility criteria
• The residence does not have the capacity to provide the services required by the consumer
• The consumer or guardian refuses the services
Consumer at all times; maintain a professional and trained presence at all times; and shall be continually trained and supervised to maintain excellent program standards. Staff members are trained to avoid the use of any form of physical punishment, abusive language, or any other form of non-standard disciplinary methods.
Upon admission of a consumer to the facility, the staff shall review all admission information, and interview the new consumer to determine and assist with their needs.
All staff shall be educated on the cultural differences of the consumers by the Program Director or Designee to maintain the highest level of care.
Receiving and Refunding Fees
Payment arrangements or service authorizations have been made through the service coordinator(s) of the individual in the referring system, or directly by the consumer. If for legitimate reason, funds should need to be refunded to the paying source, the agency will do so within 30 business days. The agency will keep a record of any such fee transaction in the individual consumer’s record. All refunds are paid within 30 business days in the form of company check.
GOSL, Inc. F.N.L. Adult Community Placement Residence After-Care Services
This agency shall provide limited aftercare services for the consumer’s use to ease transition into independent living. Prior to a planned discharge of the consumer, the Program Director or Designee shall assess the needs of the consumer to facilitate successful transition into the new placement.
Continuity of Services
This agency is committed to encouraging the “Continuity of Services” for the consumers. The continuity of services is vital in facilitating the stabilization of the consumer, and the maintenance of the recovery status of the individual.
Program Goals:
The overarching goal of the program is to work collaboratively with the placing agency, the resident client, and their significant others to provide appropriate services to enhance client independence and to help each resident to become a more productive member of their communities. Each resident shall be required to maintain sobriety, participate in individual programming, and take medication as prescribed. The treatment facilitated shall be directly related to treatment goals stated in each individual treatment plan.
Another important goal of the program is to assist the resident-consumer to obtain the skills necessary to live independently in her community. These goals shall be accomplished by continual planned interactions with each resident, communication with assigned case management staff, coordination meetings (‘staffing’), and the application of appropriate clinical recommendations given by staff within and without the residence.
Staff:The team is made up of the Administrator, Program Director, and direct line staff. All staff facilitating treatment shall be qualified to provide the consumers with quality care and services.
Facilitator Evaluation: Direct line staff that facilitates treatment shall be evaluated by both management and participants through observation and survey.
Consumer Evaluation: All consumers shall complete an evaluation every ninety days and upon discharge from the residence. The evaluation shall be reviewed by the Administrator or Designee to assess for recommendations for improvement in the program.
Outcome: ‘A New Life’ Adult Community Placement shall provide a safe and sober environment to foster independence in each resident-consumer.
Evaluation: The residence uses a model of “Continuous Improvement” via feedback by the resident-consumers, staff, and the continued training provided for the employees. Adjustments are made by the Program Director and the professional management team to ensure the changes are sound, and in the best interest of the consumers. The consumer shall complete a survey at the time of discharge.
Consumer's Needs to be met by the Agency
Health Needs: Health needs are identified during the physical examination conducted prior to admission or one done after the consumer has been admitted. The agency shall assist the consumer with the needed medication or health program as ordered by the health care professional.
Hair and Skin Needs: The consumer’s needs shall be assessed by the designated staff member for possible hair or skin care needs. Recommendations for outside services shall be discussed with the consumer’s case manager. If outside appointments are needed, consumers shall be taken to all appointments within reason.
Dietary Needs: The agency shall have a licensed nutritionist or dietician to assist in the menu planning. Then menus shall be prepared at least seven days in advance. Consumers that need special diets shall be accommodated to the extent the agency can reasonably and prudently accommodate the individual.
Religious Needs: The agency shall assist the consumer’s in meeting their religious needs so as not to interfere with the treatment plan or scheduled activities.
Cultural Needs: This agency shall use and develop community resources to encourage and assist the consumer in attending cultural events, appropriate groups, educational programs, and to continue interaction with other members of their community to promote self esteem and ethnic pride.
Gender Specific Needs: This agency shall provide, supervise, and instruct all consumers on a one to one basis focusing on healthy and appropriate skin, body, and personal hygiene needs.
Annual Evaluation: The Program Director or Designee shall evaluate the areas of cultural diversity and gender sensitivity or other areas that may need a plan of improvement.
Written Policies: This agency shall have written policies and procedures to assist all staff members to maintain a professional and safe environment for the consumer.
Non-English speaking Consumers: This agency shall make every possible effort to employ or contract a staff to provide services for non-English speaking consumers.
Wheelchair Access: GOSL, Inc. A New Life Adult Community Placement Residence premises are not equipped to house consumers with mobility impairment, sensory impairment, or other physical disabilities. GOSL, Inc. A New Life Adult Community Placement Residence does however offer handicapped parking and access for family, visitors, and guests.