FPSWC Guidelines, Policies, and Procedures

It is our hope that the following will provide your family with valuable information about FPSWC — its guidelines, policies and procedures, and expectations.

A Typical Day at FPSWC

(Schedule changes may occur as needed)

6:15 A.M. The day begins with a light breakfast of toast, juice, muffins, cereal, etc.

8:00 A.M. Guests begin work on self-sufficiency goals. This time does not change unless it is the weekend. Family members head off to work, job training programs, school, appointments, and completing housing search.

5:30 p.m. Supper (Volunteers 5-8)

6:30 p.m. Chores, homework, playtime, and other activities.

8:00 p.m. Overnight volunteers arrive.

*Quiet time to wind down with a snack and prepare child for bed.*

8:30 p.m. All children under 12 must be in bed. Parents must stay with their children until they are asleep, and continue to check on them during the evening. During the summer bedtime for children over five (5) years is extended to 9:00 P.M.

9:30 p.m. All children 12 and over must be in bed.

11:00 p.m. Lights out and televisions off.

Curfew for parents and children to return to Grace House is 8:00 p.m. Families must return to Grace House in time to ensure children are in bed by 8:30 p.m. bedtime.

Volunteers provide oversight of Grace House in the evenings and on weekends. This is a program that they support and run on the evenings and weekends. Remember volunteers are giving their time to you, to make sure you are sheltered. Please be respectful and courteous to them.

Weekend/Overnight Policy for Grace House Resident Families

We encourage resident families of FPSWC to maintain positive relationships with family and friends. In the past, resident families were not permitted to stay outside of Grace House. We have modified that policy as detailed below. This policy is subject to change and may be modified at any time.

In order to ensure that volunteers are fully aware of which families are in the house at any time, we ask that the following guidelines be followed:

All requests by resident families to leave Grace House overnight on the weekends must be approved by the director or case manager one week in advance.
Families must return to Grace House by the established bedtime for the children on Sunday.
Any request to extend time away from the house will only be approved if there is an emergency, and must be made to the director or on-call staff.
Absence from Grace House without prior approval will be considered abandonment of placement with FPSWC and will result in termination.

This policy is in place to ensure the safety and security of resident families at Grace House and may be modified at any time or with any family member.

FPSWC House Rules for Resident Families

There are no visitors allowed in the house.
There is no smoking in the house.
Chores must be completed by 9:00 p.m.
Families may not change rooms without permission from FPSWC staff.
No eating or drinking in the living room. Keep all food and beverages in the kitchen and dining room.
Guests must be within eyesight of their children at all times.
Volunteers are never left alone with children.
No profanity or racial slurs.
No alcohol is permitted on property.
Families must be at Grace House for dinner, unless previous arrangements have been made
Only “G” or “PG” movies and television shows are permitted before 8:30 p.m. No rated “R” movies are permitted at Grace House.
Bedtimes

8:30 p.m. for kids under 12
9:30 p.m. for kids over 12
Televisions off and everyone upstairs by 11:00 p.m.

Alcohol & Drug Policy

This is an alcohol and drug free program. Absolutely no alcohol, drugs, and/or drug paraphernalia is allowed on any property associated with the FPSWC program. If alcohol, drugs, and/or drug paraphernalia is found in your possession at anytime during your stay it will result in immediate termination.

In the event that a staff member or host volunteer believes that a resident is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the program director will be contacted immediately.

Visitors

There are no visitors allowed in the house, except for support professionals. Please check in with FPSWC staff before making appointments to meet with anyone at Grace House.

Your Room

Room assignments are made by FPSWC staff. At no time may a resident change rooms without permission from FPSWC staff.

Everyone will be assigned chores according to room number. You are required to make sure your chores are done nightly so we may live in a clean and pleasant environment.

Chores

In order to make your family’s stay comfortable for everyone, your family is expected to share in the housekeeping responsibilities at Grace House. Everyone helps to keep the common areas clean. This includes:

After eating, clear table and wash dishes
Lunch/snack preparation and clean up
Picking up toys
After breakfast cleanup
Stripping beds on the designated day to wash the sheets.

All chores assigned to you must be completed in a timely fashion and done daily.

Smoking

Smoking in the house is not permitted. There is a designated area outside to smoke. Smoking in any other area used will be grounds for termination. There is a can filled with sand behind the building for cigarette disposal. Please do not throw cigarettes on the ground.

Case Management

Each family is expected to meet with the FPSWC staff at a schedule time. At this time you will formulate a plan to address the immediate and long-term goals of the family. You will also need to present results of your job search and savings receipts.
Family members are not working towards self-sufficiency is cause for termination.

Curfew

Curfew at Grace House is 8:00 p.m. for all family members. Requests to arrive at Grace House after the 8:00 p.m. curfew are subject to approval by FPSWC staff.

Weekend/Overnight Policy

We encourage you to maintain connections with friends and family. If you will be away during the weekend overnight, you will need approval one week in advance from FPSWC staff.

Health & Safety

Emergencies
In a medical emergency, call 911 immediately. In case of an emergency where the parents or legal guardians are unable to care for their children, the Department of Children & Families will be contacted immediately.

Family Health

Each family member is expected to have a primary care physician and to have had a physical within the past year. All children must be up to date with immunizations. If you need a primary care physician or your children need immunizations, the case manager will assist you.

Medications

For the safety of all residents, we asked that you store all prescribed and OTC medication in a safe place and out of children’s reach. All narcotics and controlled substances MUST be stored in the case manager’s office.

Universal Precautions

Precautions will be taken to ensure the safety of you and your family during the stay in the program. A first aid kit and latex gloves are available at Grace House and Day Center for resident families, volunteers, and staff.

Residents are responsible for the proper disposal of diapers and any object contaminated with blood, vomit, feces, or urine. By taking universal precautions you can fight the spread of communicable diseases.

Mail & Phone Numbers

You may use the following address for mailing purposes :

Your Name
11 Sayles St.
Southbridge, MA 01550

*Phone numbers at Grace House*
Guest line: 508-764-4358
Office line: 508-764-4357

Please complete a change of address form, available at the post office. Ask staff for a label to put on the mailbox or the post office will not deliver it. Mail will be in a cubical or mailbox for you. When you leave the program, remember to fill out a change of address form at the post office or your mail will be returned to the sender.

Meals

Meals are provided through the generosity of volunteers. All family members are expected to attend dinner Monday-Friday at 5:00 p.m. Missing dinner at Grace House is reason for termination from the program.

Volunteers will do their best to provide a menu that includes a variety of items weekly that are both nutritious and healthy.
At no time is food of any kind allowed in any other area but the kitchen and dining area.

If you are not going to be at the house for dinner, please let the FPSWC staff know at least 24 hours in advance.

You are welcome to store food you purchase for your family in the cabinets provided. Please label all food you purchase and dispose of your refrigerated food in a timely manner.

Money Management

Since you will have few expenses while you are a resident of Grace House, this is a good time to save money towards relocating and paying off any debts you may have that would damper relocation plans, such as outstanding utility bills.

During your stay each family must save 75% of their income. The case manager will assist you in setting up your budget. If you have a need, and find yourself without money do not ask other residents or volunteers. Discuss this with the case manager to see if arrangements can be made to help you.

Parenting

Your children are your responsibility and must be supervised by you at all times. If you need to step out of the house, go upstairs, or run an errand, please ask another resident to watch your child or take him/her with you. Children are not appropriate babysitters for other children, including siblings. It only takes a moment for a child to be hurt, ingest something unhealthy, slip away from Grace House, or break something.

Program staff or volunteers cannot be left to supervise your children at anytime. While children are participating in any house activities, a parent must be present at all times. You are responsible to ensure your children adhere to the program guidelines. Encouraging and/or tolerating children to hit other children is unacceptable.

Discipline

SIHN promotes healthy parenting. We do not tolerate abuse in any way. Below is a list of behaviors that are unacceptable:

Physical abuse: striking, spanking, shaking, and slapping are all considered forms of physical abuse.
Verbal abuse: humiliating, degrading, or threatening are all considered forms of verbal abuse.

Sexual abuse: inappropriate touch, or verbal exchange are considered sexual abuse.
Mental abuse: shamming, withholding love, and cruelty are considered mental abuse

Neglect: withholding food, water, basic care, etc are considered neglect.

Physical, verbal and/or emotional abuse is not permitted. If you are having a difficult time with your child, please speak with the program director or case manager and not the volunteers. The appropriate steps will be taken to help you resolve this situation. The program staff are mandated reporters and a 51A child abuse and neglect report will be filed with the Department of Children & Families if signs of abuse occur.

Personal Belongings

Storage space is limited due to lack of space. We ask that your belongings be kept to a minimum. We are unable to store furniture, televisions, and large bulky items.

Residents’ personal belongings must be removed from Grace House within 72 hours of leaving the program. Items not claimed will be disposed of. FPSWC is not responsible for lost or stolen belongings.

Telephones

You may use the telephones at Grace House. Please keep phone use to a minimum.

Termination

Termination from the program is at the discretion of the program director, and can happen at any time if guidelines are not followed.

Resident families are expected to be considerate of others, courteous and non-judgmental. Staff, volunteers or guests will not tolerate abusive behavior, including verbal abuse, such as racial, sexist and/or ethnic slurs and jokes.

Transportation

Massachusetts has a seat belt law and requires everyone be restrained in a moving vehicle. Please be respectful of this when in the cars of FPSWC staff or volunteers.

*Finally we hope you enjoy your stay at Grace House*

Family Promise of Southern Worcester County (FPSWC )
Resident Families Guidelines Agreement

Please read this agreement and sign below. By signing this document, you agree to the guidelines of the organization and understand that if they are not followed, it will be terms for dismissal from the program.

As a resident family at FPSWC , staying at Grace House I, __________________ understand and agree to follow the following set of guidelines:

I understand that my family and I are guests at FPSWC and that this housing is provided through the generosity of volunteers from local churches and community organizations. With that understanding, I will treat other residents, volunteer hosts, and staff with courtesy and respect.
In order to move closer to stable housing, I will seek financial assistance and/or employment on a daily basis when staying with FPSWC . I will meet regularly with my FPSWC case manager and will produce documentation of this progress.
I understand that I must save my money in order to secure permanent housing. Therefore, I agree to save 75% of money I earn or receive through benefits. This will be deposited into a bank account or the FPSWC safety deposit box through my case manager. I will show proof of this savings to my case manager when we meet.
I understand that good personal hygiene is essential for me, my family, and the health of others in the program. I will shower/bathe daily.
I understand FPSWC is a drug-free and alcohol-free environment, with a zero tolerance policy. I will remain substance free while in the program. I understand that any abuse of alcohol, drugs or abuse of any prescription medication will result in immediate termination from the program.
I understand that, for the safety of all resident families, volunteer hosts, and staff, no weapons or things that can be used as weapons are permitted into the property of the Day Center or Grace House.
I understand there is no smoking permitted in any FPSWC building. If anyone is found smoking in an area not designated for that purpose it will result in dismissal from the program. Smoking is permitted in designated areas outside of Grace House only, and not permitted on the property at the Day Center.
I understand that for the safety of all guests and their children, all over-the-counter and prescription medications will be stored out of reach of children and all narcotics must be stored in volunteer room.
Although this is a stressful time for my family, I will work to provide a nurturing environment for my children. I will not leave them unattended at any time and I will discipline my children with patience and understanding. I understand that FPSWC will not tolerate any abuse or neglect of children, and that any instance of abuse or neglect, as defined by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, will be reported to the Department of Children and Families immediately.
I understand that FPSWC staff and the hosts are not responsible for any lost or stolen property. Also, that there is limited storage space at the program for my belongings and I will keep my belongings to what is essential.
I understand that, for the safety of all resident families, volunteer hosts, and staff, any resident with a contagious disease or illness must leave Grace House until they are no longer contagious. Other housing arrangements will be made by the program director.
I understand, for the safety of resident families and volunteer hosts that no visitors are allowed at Grace House. Only those listed on my intake form may stay with me. I also understand that I may have visitors at the Day Center.
I understand that there is limited storage space at the FPSWC . When I decide to leave the program I will take all of my belongings with me. Any items left after my departure will be discarded after 72 hours.
To respect the time and generosity of the host volunteers, I will not ask them to donate to or participate in any fundraiser I am involved with. This includes, Avon, school fundraisers, etc.

I understand that FPSWC provides short-term housing. As long as guidelines are met, I can remain with the program until I find permanent housing.

Resident Signature____________________________________ Date____________