Strafford Avenue Independent Living Program Council on Accreditation Nationally Certified 2004-2008 www.coanet.org Phone: 207.369.9230 Fax: 207.364.9217 Mailing Address: Strafford Avenue Independent Living Program Rumford Group Homes, Inc. 160 Lincoln Ave. Rumford, ME 04276

STRAFFORD AVENUE INDEPENDENT LIVING (S.A.I.L.)

The Strafford Avenue House is a program offered by the Rumford Group Homes, Inc. It is
designed to serve coed homeless youth who are 18-22 years of age.

The purpose of the program is to transition a client who has successfully completed a Semi-Independent living or structured group home program to a more independent living arrangement that requires less supervision.

The goal is for the client to complete his/her education while continuing to learn independent living skills, ie., cooking, banking, group living with roommates, job search, resume writing, driver's education, etc.

Rules/Expectations:

1. No drugs or alcohol.
2. Continue education.
3. No overnight guests without permission.
4. Actively working.
5. Continue mental health counseling, if necessary.

Food:
We do not provide food for the residents. It is the residents responsibility to pay for their own food through their money earned or they can apply for food stamps. (The SAIL coordinator will assist in applying for food stamps if necessary).

Furnishings:
The house has basic furnishings including a stove and refrigerator, TV, bed, bureaus, living and dining room furniture.

Utilities:
Included are heat, hot water, electricity, maintenance, taxes, water, sewer and insurance.

Supervision/Administration:
The Rumford Group Homes, Inc., will provide the program supervision and administrative staff. Random check-ins by the Independent Living Coordinator or other group home staff at various hours, including evenings and weekends, will also take place.

The independent living coordinator will meet weekly with all residents to assess the progress they are making in living independently.

PROCEDURES FOR ADMISSIONS AND DISCHARGES

Candidates for the Rumford Group Home, Inc. Strafford Independent Living Program must meet the following requirements to be considered for placement:

1. Intake Criteria
   1. Must possess a sincere willingness to participate in the Strattford Independent Living Program.
   2. Must be between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two years old.
   3. Must be in the custody of the Department of Human Services or the Department of Corrections, or voluntary placement by a legal guardian. (Parent)
   4. Must have skills in conflict management, appropriate self-expression, peer interactions, and appropriate social skills as determined by staff members of the Rumford Group Homes, Inc.
   5. Must be able to attend school either day or night classes, or attend vocational training or post secondary school.
   6. Candidate must be in generally good health, and must be determined that placement would benefit candidate.
   7. Religion, race, sexual orientation or color is not a determining factor.
   8. Must secure employment 20 - 40 hours per week, depending on educational program.
2. Intake Procedures:
   1. The Department of Human Services, the Department of Corrections and Homeless Youth Outreach are notified weekly of openings.
   2. Interviews are scheduled for potential residents following a screening phone call with the candidate's social worker, probation officer. Homeless Youth Outreach worker or parent.
   3. An intake form is mailed to the social worker, probation officer, Homeless Youth Outreach worker or parent and is to be referred prior to the personal interview.
   4. Interview and initial visit is conducted with candidate, social worker or probation officer of candidate, the SAIL Coordinator and the Program Director present, and held at the Rumford Group Home, Inc.
   5. A determination is made based on information provided by all parties regarding candidate's desire to participate in the program, suitability, long-term goal of placement, and commitment of the placement agency.
   6. Candidate receives an extensive tour of the facility.
   7. Candidate is either accepted, or is refused based on the agency's admission criteria or the candidate's inappropriateness of placement.
   8. Candidate has a Client Intake Procedure checklist completed upon arrival along with personal belongings inventory.
3. Criteria for discharge is discussed with all residents upon arrival including an unplanned
   discharge (see Discharge Policy below).
   Criteria for Discharge:
   1. Inability to adhere to the program.
   2. Constant disruption to program.
   3. Physical assault on staff members or other residents.
   4. Use of drugs or alcohol.
   5. Extensive intentional property damage.
4. Discharges - Phase II are of two general types. A planned discharge occurs when the SAIL Coordinator, the placing agency all agree on the discharge and have advanced-planned its components. This can occur when a client has successfully completed the program or, in the absence of this, a shared belief that the client has drawn all the benefit available from the program and needs some other placement option. An unplanned discharge occurs when either the SAIL or the placing agency decides to end the client's placement in the absence of either of the above conditions. We discourage this type of discharge, as it is potentially damaging to the client and adversely affects the client's potential to benefit from future interventions. From the SAIL's perspective, an unplanned discharge would only occur under extreme circumstances, i.e., client runs away and cannot be found/refuses to return; client is assaultive to others, sets a fire, etc. Even under these circumstances, the SAIL Coordinator will make every effort to work cooperatively with the placing agency.