AMETHYST HOUSE
RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM
COMMUNITY AGREEMENTS

We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, handicap, creed, ethnicity, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation.

  1. ALCOHOL, MOOD ALTERING DRUGS, AND CHEMICALS ARE PROHIBITED

    1. Use of alcohol, mood altering drugs or chemicals by residents can result in immediate discharge.
    2. The court, probation, treatment providers, will be notified of the violation as needed.
    3. Visitors who bring in alcohol, mood altering drugs or chemicals to Amethyst House will be banned.
    4. Drug and/or alcohol screens may be taken at any time. Cost for test is the resident's responsibility.
    5. Random house searches will be done to eliminate contraband. Residents are not always present for the searches.

  2. CONFIDENTIALITY
    1. Residents must observe confidentiality of names or stories related to other residents.
    2. It is the residents' responsibility to inform their visitors about confidentiality.
    3. All employees and volunteers shall abide by Federal Rule 42 CFR, part 2. Title rule is printed in the Federal Register, Volume 52 - Number 110. A copy is on file in the staff office.

  3. EMPLOYMENT
    1. All residents are required to make a consistent effort to find and maintain employment.
    2. Employment at establishments that serve alcohol is not permitted.
    3. Residents are prohibited from selling blood or plasma.
    4. Residents are expected to have a goal of being employed within two weeks of admission
    5. Residents will remain on Orientation until employed. (See Orientation Agreement).
    6. Residents may not quit a job until they have obtained another one
    7. If a resident is on disability, she/he is expected to obtain volunteer work of at least 20 hours/week or comparable rehabilitation activity. Resident will remain on Orientation until this is arranged.
    8. Employment schedules must coordinate with scheduled treatment sessions and required Amethyst House activities.
    9. Curfew hours of 10:30pm Sunday thru Thursday and 12:00 Friday and Saturday must be observed.
    10. Residents are required to have full time employment 32 to 50 hours a week.

  4. PROGRAM PARTICIPATION FEES / TREATMENT FEES
    1. Residents are expected to maintain financial responsibly
    2. If program participation fees are past due, the resident and case manager will develop a budget and be placed on a Financial Contract.
    3. Falling behind more than one month's program participation fees can result in immediate discharge.
    4. Residents are required to give 24 hours notice if they must cancel a treatment session.
    5. Residents will be charged a fee for any absence without prior approval.
    6. Residents are not admitted to the treatment session if he/she arrives later than 10 minutes.
    7. Residents are expected to have a ZERO balance when discharged from Amethyst.

  5. PROGRAM / TREATMENT PARTICIPATION
    1. Residents are required to attend House Meetings weekly on Thursday.
    2. Residents are required to attend 4 AA and/or NA meetings each week.
    3. If unemployed, residents are required to attend a 12-Step meeting daily.
    4. All residents are required to obtain a sponsor within two weeks of admission and maintain a relationship with a sponsor during residency at Amethyst House. The sponsor must have minimum of two years continuous sobriety.
    5. Resident and a member of the treatment team will develop an individualized Treatment Plan.
    6. Residents will meet weekly with a case manager to review the activity log and progress toward treatment goals
    7. The Treatment Plan consists of: A Problem List, Goals, Interventions, and Outcomes with target dates.
    8. Residents are required to be out of bed by wake-up time: Mon.-Fri. 8:00am, Sat.-Sun. 9:30am.

  6. PHYSICAL BOUNDARIES
    1. New residents remain on Amethyst House property for the first twenty-four (24) hours.
    2. Residents follow Orientation Phase criteria upon admission: they must limit unnecessary outside activities, attend all appointments and meetings and begin a job search.
    3. Residents are not permitted to change beds or rooms without staff permission.
    4. Residents must always use the sign-out / sign-in sheet when leaving/ returning to the property.
    5. Be respectful of Amethyst property ie: not lie down on the couches or put feet on the furniture.
    6. Residents are prohibited from entering another resident's room without him/her present.
    7. Bars, taverns, lounges, and nightclubs are off limits for any reason.

  7. CURFEW
    1. All residents are required to be in the house by curfew and remain on the property until 5:00am.
    2. Curfew hours are 10:30 PM Sunday through Thursday and 12:00 midnight Friday and Saturday.
    3. Exceptions to curfew for special events, holidays, etc. need Treatment team approval

  8. THERAPEUTIC PASS
    1. All pass requests are subject to Treatment team approval.
    2. 24-hour passes may be requested after 30 days of residency. Weekend pass requests are to be turned in by noon on Wednesday.
    3. Residents' rooms must be clean and housekeeping chores completed before leaving on pass. Chore exchange forms need to be completed at the time of request.
    4. Residents must be employed and balance due, under one month's program fee amount before passes will be considered.

  9. RELATIONSHIPS
    1. Residents are encouraged to avoid initiating new intimate relationships while at Amethyst House.
    2. Couples therapy is available for residents who are currently involved in a relationship
    3. Intimate, physical and/or sexual behavior is not permitted on the Amethyst House premises.
    4. Romantic or sexual involvement with other residents of Amethyst House is not permitted.

  10. CONSIDERATION OF SELF AND OTHERS
    1. Rooms should be organized, clean, neat, dusted and vacuumed at least once a week.
    2. Dress appropriately. Clothing with violent, sexual or using themes are not permitted
    3. Residents are expected to shower daily and wear clean clothes.
    4. Express feelings appropriately. Do not fight, wrestle, throw objects, yell, slam doors, etc.
    5. Verbal abuse will not be tolerated. Physical aggression can result in immediate discharge.
    6. Be respectful of others and limit profanity. Prejudicial language or jokes will not be tolerated.
    7. Sexually provocative magazines, videos, paraphernalia, posters etc. are prohibited
    8. Be respectful of all Amethyst House neighbors.
    9. Weapons of any kind are prohibited. This includes knives, guns, bows, martial arts equipment, etc.

  11. VISITORS
    1. Visiting hours: Monday-Friday: NOON to 7:00PM, Saturdays and Sundays: 10AM to 7PM.
    2. Visitors must sign in and out.
    3. Visitors are not permitted in the bedrooms or upstairs
    4. Sponsors may visit at Amethyst House any time. Please respect the privacy of other residents.
    5. Residents who leave unsuccessfully or who are discharged due to rule violations are not permitted to return to visit without prior staff approval.
    6. Amethyst House staff reserve the right to ask any visitor to leave at any time at staff's discretion.

  12. TELEPHONE
    1. Resident's pay phone number: Women - (812) 330-0218 and Men - (812) 331-9909
    2. Please keep phone calls to a reasonable length.
    3. The resident's phone should be answered with "Hello". Do not say, "Amethyst".
    4. A minimum of information is given to callers so that each other's confidentiality is guarded.

  13. MEDICATIONS
    1. Residents are required to have a 30-day supply of medication at admission. All prescribed medications will be kept in the business office in a locked cabinet.
    2. Residents are responsible for contacting staff when medication is due.
    3. Use of over-the-counter medications must be reported to staff.
    4. Keeping prescriptions up to date and obtaining refills is the resident's responsibility.

  14. HOUSEKEEPING
    1. Each resident will be responsible for keeping her/his living area clean.
    2. Do not leave personal electrical appliances turned on or plugged in.
    3. Beds should be made daily and bedding changed once a week.
    4. No toiletries, towels, or personal items are to be left in the bathrooms.
    5. Chores are assigned weekly. Each resident is expected to rotate through all chores.
    6. Before leaving the program residents must clean her/his bedroom area.
    7. Residents must take all personal possessions upon discharge.
    8. Items left for more than 48 hours may be disposed of.

  15. COMMUNICATION
    1. Communicate directly with others.
    2. Unresolved issues in the house need to be brought up at House Meeting.
    3. Complaints, inability to resolve conflict or grievances should be referred first to the person you have the complaint with. If problem is not resolved discuss this with the case manager. If still unable to resolve issue you can inform the Administrative staff by verbal or written communication.
    4. Grievance policy and forms are available from the staff office as needed.
    5. Check-ins during House Meeting is a time to share highlights of the week, both positive and negative, and to get feedback and support.

  16. TELEVISION
    1. TV and VCR operate by majority rule of residents present.
    2. TV and VCR remain off from: 8:00AM to 4PM Monday-Friday 8:00Am to NOON on weekends.
    3. X-rated movies are not permitted. All videos are subject to staff approval.

  17. NOISE
    1. Please keep TV, music, radio, and voices at reasonable volumes during the day.
    2. Residents should respect roommates who are sleeping; music, radio, etc. in bedrooms are not permitted after10:00PM or before 8:00AM.

  18. SMOKING * Violation of the smoking policy is grounds for immediate termination
    1. Smoking is not permitted in any Amethyst House facility.
    2. Smoking is permitted outside on porches and other designated areas.
    3. Do not stand in an outside doorway and smoke.
    4. Do not throw cigarette butts anywhere on the property.
    5. Smoking is not permitted on the parking lot of the Administrative office

  19. MAIL
    1. Residents mail will be distributed to the respective mailboxes.
    2. When a resident moves out, the mail will be returned to sender.

  20. GAMBLING is prohibited. This includes any form or lottery, cards, bingo, etc.

  21. CHILDREN: See case-manager for specific requirements for child visitation

  22. VEHICLE
    1. Residents must have prior staff approval before having a vehicle at Amethyst House.
    2. Residents must provide a valid driver's license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance.
    3. Non-operational cars must be removed from the premises within 14 days.

  23. FURTHER INFORMATION
    1. Residents do not enable negative behavior. If a resident believes another resident is under the influence of mood altering substances, a staff person must be contacted immediately. It is everyoneÕs responsibility to keep the house safe.
    2. Residents' ideas and suggestions are valued. Amethyst encourages residents to make suggestions in writing in order to communicate feedback.
      Failure to comply with any community agreement may result in discharge

  24. FOLLOW UP
    1. Following successful program completion, Amethyst House offers continued case management services, and other outpatient services as needed.
    2. Residents who remain in the Bloomington area are encouraged to continue participating in Amethyst weekly AA and House meetings. This provides the opportunity for them to share their experience, strength and hope with the people following in their footsteps.
    3. Amethyst alumni are one of the best resources Amethyst has for carrying the recovery message to others. Check for dates of the Alumni monthly meeting
    4. Amethyst House includes a one-year follow-up that consists of a questionnaire, mailed periodically. Former residents are encouraged to take the time to complete and return them; feedback helps Amethyst continue to improve services.

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Copyright: Amethyst House

E-mail: amethyst@bloomington.in.us
(812) 336-3570

Last Updated: Wednesday, October 26, 2005