SERENITY HILLS LEVEL SYSTEM

INTRODUCTION

Serenity Hills uses an “accomplishment level system” to help clients earn privileges while at Serenity Hills, including greater independence and freedom while recognizing the relationship between choices and consequences. The main idea behind this accomplishment system is each client will receive increasing levels of freedom as they demonstrate increasing levels of accomplishment and responsibility.

All Serenity Hills clients are expected to follow the program rules, expectations, and conditions of the Level System.

In order to move from one level to the next, clients must meet the criteria outlined below.

TO PROGRESS FROM ONE LEVEL TO THE NEXT

Moving from one level to the next entails a staff meeting and a treatment team decision. Staff will issue opportunity for change (Behavioral Snapshots) and positive spot reports. These along with meeting TX plan objectives and goals will assist the team in deciding if clients are making satisfactory or unsatisfactory progress. Behavioral Snapshots are given when a staff member notices both positive and undesirable behaviors, actions and attitudes of clients.

Positive Behavioral Snapshots are given any time a client demonstrates exceptional behavior, goesabove and beyond in program expectations, demonstrates leadership qualities or takes initiative in the program. Positive Behavioral Snapshots may be used to promote residents through the level system at treatment team discretion.

An Opportunity for Change Report maybe given for the following:

• Not attending daily reading and scheduled activities
• Refusal to attend group counseling session, leaving group early, or coming late
• Disrespect toward staff or other residents
• Failure to seek employment
• Non-compliance with medication
• Failure to participate in a program of recovery
• Failure to maintain financial responsibility
• Uncompleted chores and room responsibilities

Opportunity for Change (OFC) reports may be used to drop a client from one level to another, or impede someone from increasing up a level, at the treatment team’s discretion. They also will affect passes and other privileges. Three OFC’s will result in an unsatisfactory week and loss of privileges. This will include but are not limited to loss of phone, loss of computer privileges, loss of pass requests and loss of other electronic devices.

After two unsatisfactory weeks the resident will be dropped a level and continue to lose other privileges

If a client violates any of the infractions listed below, he/she will automatically move down a level in order to ensure fairness with the other clients and to teach responsibility:

• Use of any mood altering substance other than what is prescribed by a physician
• Any form of violence or threat of violence
• Sexual contact, threat or relations with another client or employee

Clients who choose to engage in any of the above listed behaviors are also subject to discharge from Serenity Hills.

Red Level Requirements (Entry Level)

Client is assigned this level upon entry and will remain on this level for at least 21 days.

He will also need to fulfill the outlined procedures in order to successfully move off this level.

In order to move from one level to the next, clients must meet the criteria outlined below.

   a) Client is required to remain on premises the first 48 hours.

   b) Client will be oriented to SH policies/procedures:

• Levels
• Expectations
• Responsibilities (chores, therapy attendance, seeking employment)

He will also:

   a) Meet with a MH/CD Counselor individually for an updated evaluation within 10 days and design a treatment plan within 30 days.

   b) Meet with Vocational Specialist to schedule an intake at Vocational Rehabilitation Services if appropriate.

   c) Orientation to group choices, therapy services and daily schedule.

   d) Schedule an appointment with psychiatrist or PA if appropriate.

   e) Taking meds as prescribed

   f) Meet with CARE Representative

Privileges:

   a) Use of resident phone 15 minutes daily.

   b) Weekend visits with family members and/or significant others on site if appropriate.

   c) Can attend AA/NA with SH group.

   d) Go off site with Vocational Specialist and staff.

Yellow Level Requirements (typical stay on this level when meeting guidelines no less than 3 months) To obtain this level, client must:

   a) Have been here for at least 21 days

   b) Participated in five hours of group and/or individual therapy sessions weekly

   c) Completed all assigned house chores and community obligations

   d) Be employed, actively seeking employment or have circumstance that is approved by coordinator and counseling staff

   e) Be current with financial arrangements

   f) Have no more than one negative spot report weekly

   g) If not gainfully employed, complete extra household chores as assigned

   h) Be actively participating in program of recovery

Privileges:

   a) All privileges of Red Level

   b) Can attend church and AA meetings

   c) Can participate in social group outings

   d) Can use Internet for 30 minutes per sign up, not to exceed one hour per day

   e) If available, can use video games for one hour per day, 2 on weekends

   f) Can leave on pass for up to four hours

   g) Can order food on weekends if financially responsible

   h) Use of vehicle for employment and passes

   i) Cell phone may be used if employed and/or meeting financial and therapeutic expectations. Cell phone will be turned in if client is not satisfactory in their level

Green Level Requirements:

   a) Have been on yellow level no less than 12 weeks while meeting all guidelines

   b) Proof of meeting financial obligations

   c) Employment

   d) Have positive team report by treatment team, with no more than two OFC's weekly

   e) Actively participating in program of recovery

   f) Have a sponsor in AA or NA

Privileges:

   a) All privileges of Yellow Level

   b) Community passes up to 8 hours and possibility of home passes of up to 24 hours one time monthly

Blue Star Requirements:

   a) Participating in discharge planning.

   b) Have obtained sponsor and have been active with them for at least two months.

   c) Employed for at least two months

   d) Have ongoing positive team report by treatment team

   e) Maintain satisfactory progress for at least 3 months

Privileges:

   a) All privileges of Green Star

   b) Plan for Discharge

HUMAN SERVICE AGENCY/ SERENITY HILLS GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE:

All clients will be informed at the time of admission as to their rights and the procedure to follow if those rights have been violated. The grievance procedure is described on the form entitled “Consumer Rights and Responsibilities” which the client as well as a staff member signs during the intake process. The completed form is filed in the client’s case record. The steps to this procedure are also displayed for public view at the main agency.

If a client, legal guardian, or advocate has concerns about the services provided to them or they believe their rights are being violated, they are urged to:

• Discuss the matter with party(s) and attempt to reach an agreeable solution
• If issue is not resolved, client will contact their counselor or their immediate supervisor and attempt to reach an agreeable solution,
• If issue is not resolved, supervisor will contact Coordinator.
• If satisfaction is not obtained from either the primary counselor supervisor or Coordinator, the grievance will be taken directly to the President/CEO. They are encouraged to contact the President/CEO expressing their concerns.
• Upon notification of the grievance, the President/CEO will do one or more of of the following as appropriate and necessary:
• Review the client’s case record
• Consult with a counselor and/or the counselor’s clinical supervisor or Coordinator
• Consult directly in person or via the telephone with the client who has filed the grievance.
• The President/CEO will provide a written response to the client who has filed the grievance within 14 days outlining the results of the investigation and/or the steps that will be taken to resolve the grievance.
• Clients are also informed they may contact the South Dakota Department of Social Services, Division of Community Behavioral Health, Hillsview Plaza, 521 East Sioux Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501, Phone: (605) 773-5991 or (800) 265-9684.
• The Division of Behavioral Health will respond in writing to the consumer regarding the outcome of their review.