Phases

Phase One

During Phase One each client will be individually assessed and a personal goal plan will be designed to fit the needs of each client. Each client will be expected to remain in the home for the first 30 days, being in the company of an approved escort for outings. Approved escorts could be a staff member, an approved volunteer, an approved family member or an approved resident. At the end of each 30-day period, the client will be reassessed and allowed more freedom. No client will be rushed but each client will be expected to progress at her own pace while focusing on physical needs of safety and security, self-esteem needs, and self-actualization needs. This phase is intended to prepare our guests for their journey into recovery.

Phases two, three and four are designed as an individual treatment plan.

Phase Two
Phase two will mark the beginning of social and economic skills needed to maintain recovery. Each woman will be expected to attend to her personal goal plan, pay her fees, and remain committed to her recovery. A buddy system will be implemented for added support when entering the outside community. Employment will be limited to no more than 30 hours during this phase of the program to ensure counseling and education is not neglected. Money management will be addressed and a budget review will be done weekly. At this phase, a sponsor and a home group will be in place and the client will be expected to be active within the AA/NA/CA community. This phase may be as long as 3-6 months but no less than 3 months.

Phase Three

indicates the foundation for recovery is growing firm and full time employment is a necessity, as each woman will need to build a fund to be applied to her future housing. During this phase each woman will have much more freedom in making personal decisions and more freedom away from the home. She will be expected to be a role model for newcomers.

Phase Four

During phase four the women who have successfully completed the first three phases and are living on their own will be returning to the home for peer counseling and volunteer work. The length of this phase will not be predetermined but will be determined according to the individual process.

Admission Criteria

1. Residents must be homeless and have substance abuse problems.
2. The client must be seeking admission without persuasion or coercion and be willing to sign a contract and/or treatment plan to participate in all four phases.
3. Physician verifies that the client meets the diagnostic criteria as defined in the DSM IV, for alcohol/drug dependence and/or abuse.
4. ASI and medical examination indicate that the client is medically appropriate and stable. If a medical condition exists, proper action will be taken to assist the client.
5. Client is ambulatory or there are no medical complications that would hamper the client’s ability to participate in the program.
6. The client is coherent, rational and oriented in all spheres.
7. The client has the social skills to obtain a support system or to become involved in a self-help fellowship.
8. The client is willing to sign payment plan.

Note:

Board Members and their families will be given referrals and will not be eligible to participate in residency at Paula’s House as this would be a conflict of interest.

In 2006:

Women Empowering Women, Inc., was fortunate enough to receive a grant from the Housing of Urban Development and hope to expand enough to have more homes for women and eventually provide services to women with their children.