1. All residents are required to make a therapeutic contribution of $70.00 per week, beginning upon admission. The purpose of this therapeutic contribution is to assess the level of commitment to the Wells House and the process of recovery. Unless already employed upon admission, residents are required to seek employment immediately. Residents are also required to apply for temporary emergency housing and medical assistance (TEMHA) at the Department of Social Services. Any funds received from these agencies do not cover your therapeutic donation. If a resident fails to meet this financial obligation, discharge may result.

2. All residents are required to have employment within two weeks of admission to the Wells House. Residents attending school full time and those having disabilities have limited exceptions. Community service hours can be assigned pending employment. Should you become unemployed while at the Wells House you are required to immediately seek re-employment, this requires actively seeking employment on a daily basis. Verification of this job search will be required. Once employed (or receiving cash benefits), clients are required to open a special client account at Waypoint Bank and to save 25% of their net income. Clients are required to present their pay stub and monthly bank statement to staff for verification.

3. The use of alcohol and/or drugs is prohibited. Residents may not be associated with anyone who uses drugs or alcohol. All residents will be required to sign a consent form allowing any staff member to do random observed urine drug testing, as well as spot observed urine testing when warranted. If the resident is unable to produce a sample immediately upon request, he is required to remain inside the building until a sample is obtained. If the resident leaves the premises before a urine sample is given, the resident will be discharged. Failure to produce a sample will result in a behavioral positive and discharge will occur.

4. While you are here, you will be assigned work therapy (chores). Chores are to be completed everyday. You are expected to complete your assignments by 10:30 pm daily. The only exception is if the house manager approves an alternate schedule. Consequences of non-completion of tasks are intended to be therapeutic rather than punitive. Failure to complete chores at the appropriate times will result in additional chores or loss of pass privileges. Chores will be checked on a daily basis.

5. Curfew is as follows: 10:00 p.m. Exceptions to this rule are only through the staff’s prior approval, e.g., candlelight meetings. Violation of this policy can result in additional chores and/or discharge.

6. All new residents will be placed on a one-month trial basis to evaluate the individual’s motivation for sobriety.

7. All residents are required to attend two AA/NA meetings per day if not working (including while on pass), one meeting per day if working. Failure to attend is grounds for discharge. Documentation may be required.

8. Medications, prescription or nonprescription, will be monitored by the Wells House staff. Failure to take medication as prescribed, misuse or abuse of medications will be grounds for punishment or discharge. Residents are NOT allowed to use or possess nonprescription drugs or toiletries that contain alcohol or mind/mood-altering ingredients.

9. All residents must obtain a male sponsor within two (2) weeks and maintain contact with their sponsor on a daily basis throughout their stay at the Wells House. Consent forms allowing staff to contact your sponsor must be signed once a sponsor has been obtained. Clients are required to have joined a home group within one month and to have volunteered for a service position in that home group.

10. Every resident must attend all scheduled in-house meetings: Sunday, 6:00 p.m., Monday, 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, 6:00 p.m., Thursday, 6:00 p.m. It is required that residents adjust their schedule accordingly to allow for attendance at these groups.

11. The Wells House will not be responsible for personal articles belonging to residents. Therefore, it is suggested that residents assume responsibility for caring and protecting items of value.

12. Staff has access to all areas of the house at all times. Staff will conduct room searches, as it is deemed necessary.

13. Clients that are not already in an established interpersonal relationship (married, engaged, male or female partnership, etc.) upon admission are not allowed to enter one while a resident of the Wells House. Clients are specifically forbidden from having any contact other than casual with clients or staff of the “W” House while a resident of the Wells House. Violation of this policy will result in consequences, up to and including irregular discharge.

14. VISITING HOURS: Only immediate family or sponsors are allowed. Visitors are expected to adhere to rules and regulations of the house. Visits must be therapeutically conducive to recovery. There are no visiting hours after 7:30 p.m. No visitors are permitted above or below the first floor.

15. All residents are to be out of bed, showered, clothed and beds made by 8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday. Breakfast must be eaten by 8 a.m. weekdays. Any sleeping during the day without prior staff approval will result in consequences.

16. Physical aggression, violence or verbal threats will not be permitted and will result in immediate discharge! NO exceptions to this rule. Restitution for any destruction of property is required or charges will be filed.

17. There is no smoking or use of other tobacco products inside the house. Smoking or other use of tobacco is only allowed outside. Anyone caught smoking inside the house will be immediately discharged.

18. Disrespect of any staff members will not be tolerated and will result in consequences, continuation is subject to dismissal.

19. Disrespect of any resident will not be tolerated, if personality issues arise and discussion fails to resolve these issues, bring the situation to the attention of staff. Yelling, screaming, cursing another resident will result in consequences.

20. Lights out by 11:30 p.m. All electronic devices must be turned off. Sleeping will be exclusively in bedrooms, and not on downstairs furniture as not to disrupt household functioning. Doors locked at 11:00 p.m.; no smoking after this time.

21. TV viewing is permitted from 4 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. There will be no television or radio during 12-step or group meetings. Weekends and holidays: hours subject to staff on-duty. Programming allowed: news, sports, movies, learning channels, religious programs, documentaries, etc. Programming NOT allowed: sexually explicit, drug/alcohol oriented, music channels, etc. Staff has the discretion of taking away TV privileges from residents if they deem it necessary.

22. The use of personal television sets, beepers and telephones (including cellular, etc.) are not permitted – on or off premises.

23. After the initial two- (2) week period, residents may be eligible for a day pass, and after 30 days residents may be eligible for weekend passes. Requests are to be submitted in writing to their counselor no later than Tuesday, 4:00 p.m. for that week. If passes are not submitted in advance, the pass will not be granted. Passes are granted / denied at the discretion of Wells House staff. PASSES ARE A PRIVILEGE. Approved passes will become invalid in the event that a resident returns from pass for any reason other than pre-approved circumstances. If an unapproved day or weekend pass is taken it will result in immediate discharge from the Wells House.

24. All personal belongings will be kept in each resident's room. Lending personal belongings to other residents is not allowed. Do not lend or borrow money from other residents. Gambling is not permitted.

25. All residents will maintain personal hygiene by brushing teeth and bathing daily.

26. All residents will wash their own clothes, towels and bedclothes as necessary. A laundry schedule is posted on the bulletin board. Residents must wash on their assigned days only. Exceptions must be cleared by staff. Clothes washing and drying times for residents are from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

27. Radios or tape players are permitted with the use of headphones only. The volume should not be so loud that it can be heard by others. The use of radios/tape players are not permitted after lights out. Failure to abide by this may result in loss of privileges.

Last revised: February 20, 2003