THE RESIDENT HANDBOOK​

The Harmony House Foundation has established a design for sober living that helps the Resident gradually integrate back into society while they find their footing in recovery. The guidelines and requirements at The Harmony House Foundation are designed to help people create structure in their lives and meet the day-to-day expectations that society places upon them. As the Resident progresses through the phases more self-accountability and responsibility are expected from them. Long-term sobriety consists of balancing the everyday demands of society as well as maintaining inner peace. An amazing benefit of sober living is that it keeps the Resident plugged into the recovery scene while they are learning to balance these elements. This sense of structure and purpose is imperative to the overall well-being of the new Resident, and it increases their chances of long-term sobriety. Sober living does more than encourage addiction treatment and sobriety, it’s an environment that foster’s self-discovery and the chance to rekindle your passion for life.  Our goal is to help the Resident create sustained harmony between the external and internal worlds they live in as they move forward on their journey into their new life of independence and recovery.


Purpose of the Resident Handbook:
    The Resident Handbook states all the rules, requirements, and policies for the residents of The Harmony House Foundation. The purpose of this Resident Handbook is to establish the various provisions dealing with the living arrangements between each of the Residents, in all the sober living homes located in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania (the “Home”). 
Definitions of Terms:
Executive Director: refers to the chief executive officer of The Harmony House Foundation. They are responsible for overseeing the administration, programs and strategic plan of the organization. Other key duties include fundraising, marketing, and community outreach. The Executive Director will act as a proxy for the House Manager in the event they are unable to be reached.
House Manager: the person responsible for the day to day operations of the “Home”. The House Manager is who the Resident must contact for any “Home” issues as well as for overnights and special exception requests. The House Manager is responsible for collecting rent, issuing fines, chore checks, and any other misc. duties regarding the daily responsibilities of the Residents. They are responsible for upholding The Harmony House Foundation’s policies and procedures as well as conducting and/or delegating drug tests.
Senior Resident: refers to any Resident that has obtained Phase IV status at The Harmony House Foundation. They are responsible for creating the chore list and checking on the daily cleanliness of their “Home”. The Senior Resident is trained in administering drug tests and can be asked by the Executive Director and/or House Manager to conduct one at any time. They are also responsible for holding the other Residents in the house accountable for curfew. The Residents should notify the Senior Resident if they will be late for curfew. 
Resident: refers to the person residing in the “Home” on Phase I-Phase III. They are responsible for their “Home” chore, rent, meeting attendance, program of recovery, becoming familiar with and adhering to all the Harmony House regulations, requirements, policies, and procedures outlined in the Resident Handbook.

Resident Phases
Phases I-IV are developed to ease the Resident into independent living and recovery. As the Resident progresses more freedom is experienced, and the Resident must apply previously learned skills to the newly added pressure of self-accountability. Each Phase has unique requirements that slowly adds more self-accountability to the Resident. Peer support offered by the Executive Director, House Manager, volunteers,  and Senior Resident as well as the other Residents residing in the “Home” can help guide them to better decision making and tools for emotional sobriety. The Phases are designed so that the Resident can navigate them at their own pace, so there is no time cap. The Residents are evaluated by our team at the end of each month to determine if the requirements have been met and whether or not to move the Resident to the next appropriate Phase. If the team feels the Resident is becoming complacent in their process of recovery, we will encourage the Resident to become more proactive and set goals that may inspire the Resident to continue growing in a positive direction. The concept is to learn how to maintain balance and peace throughout the Phase transitions; Better preparing the Resident for independent living and sustained long-term sobriety.

Phase I
Phase I starts the day you move into the “Home”. Phase I is considered a probationary period. Generally, Residents are on Phase I for 60 days however the time frame varies depending on the rate of the Resident’s progress. Phase I is the beginning of your journey in recovery and independent living. Self-care is something we often neglected and is the central focus of Phase I. There are often many things we let fall to the wayside while we were in active addiction that we start to address in early recovery. Completing the goals listed below start to build a new foundation for your life.(All Residents are evaluated at the end of each month).*Residents who are placed on contract during their residency will remain on Phase I until all contract obligations have been met to the team’s satisfaction.
  1. No sleep overs or sleeping out are permitted while on Phase I. If there is an emergency with family or out of the area court proceedings the House Manager must be notified within 72hrs of the date. Exceptions are made for holidays, birthdays, and special events with a 72 hour notice with contact information such as name, address and phone number of a contact. (Children of the Resident are permitted to stay at the home during Phase I for no more than 2 days with House Manager’s approval).
  2. Curfew Sunday-Thursday is 10pm & Friday-Saturday 11pm. Residents can work as late as they need to however notify the House Manager of schedule updates at the house meeting and continue to communicate when you get home. The Resident must notify the designated Senior Resident of the “Home” and send a message in the “Home”’s group text that they are home before curfew. If you are planning on attending a meeting or engaged in an activity that is later than curfew the House Manager must be notified via text in group chat. It is the Residents responsibility to keep an open line of communication!
  3. Attend every weekly house meeting with the House Manager. The weekly house meeting is when rent is collected, receipts issued, chore inspection is conducted, house maintenance issues are addressed, and all internal house concerns are addressed. (The only reasons to be absent from the weekly house meeting are if there is a conflict with your work schedule or family emergency; You must notify the House Manager within 72 hours). The house meeting is held at your place of residence.
  4. Have full time employment (If the Resident is financially independent, they must volunteer a minimum of 3 days per week and/or attend educational programs/classes; Refer to the work/volunteer section for requirements). 
  5.  Residents must be current on their security deposit & rent.
  6. All Residents must contribute to the slush fund. The slush fund is a general weekly fund to pay for basic household needs such as cleaning products, garbage bags, and toilet paper.
  7. All Residents are expected to do their daily chore that is assigned to them.
  8. Residents must participate in their aftercare that they were discharged with from their treatment facility, probation/parole, and/or set up by themselves. This includes but is not limited to: Drug & Alcohol counseling, mental health counseling(individual and/or group therapy), all medical appointments.
  9. Residents must comply with all legal obligations. If you are transferring supervision, this must be done prior to moving on to Phase II. Residents are responsible for informing the house manager of any changes in their supervision
  10. Residents must secure 2 forms of identification.
  11. Residents must certify in administering Narcan via a website provided to you by a team member.
  12. Create a gmail account.
  13. All Residents must obtain a loadable cash card or bank debit card & create a cash app account. The Harmony House Foundation prefers electronic payment for rent to keep an invoice log of all financial transactions. Securing a card will also help serve you in the future with other financial obligations such as paying fines and other debts.
  14. All Residents are required to purchase a medical lock box. Even if you are not currently on medication you are required to purchase a medical lock box, in the event you have an emergency or get a prescription for an illness.
  15. Follow all the rules & regulations outlined in the Harmony House Foundation’s Handbook.
  16. Whether you belong to a 12-step fellowship or an alternative program for your recovery you are required to do the following or its equivalent:
  • Attend 5 meetings a week
  • Join a HomeGroup (or equivalent)
  • Obtain a sponsor (or equivalent)


Phase II
 Phase II starts after you have completed all the requirements for Phase I. As Residents progress through recovery we start to take a deeper look at the essentials for living an independent lifestyle. Phase II Residents focus on taking care of these essential independent living skills and learning how to balance those demands with self-care and recovery.(All Residents are evaluated at the end of each month).
  1. Residents on Phase II can sleep out 2 nights a week with a 24 hour notice. If there is an emergency with family or out of the area court proceedings the House Manager must be notified as soon as possible and provided the necessary contact information. (Children of the Resident are permitted to stay at the home during Phase II for no more than 3 days with House Manager’s approval).
  2. Curfew Sunday-Thursday is 11pm & Friday-Saturday 12am. Residents can work as late as they need to however notify the House Manager of schedule updates at the house meeting and continue to communicate when you get home. The Resident must notify the designated Senior Resident of the “Home” and send a message in the “Home”’s group text that they are home before curfew. If you are planning on attending a meeting or engaged in an activity that is later than curfew the House Manager must be notified via text in group chat. It is the Residents responsibility to keep an open line of communication!
  3. Attend every weekly house meeting with the House Manager. The weekly house meeting is when rent is collected, receipts issued, chore inspection is conducted, house maintenance issues are addressed, and all internal house concerns are addressed. (The only reasons to be absent from the weekly house meeting are if there is a conflict with your work schedule or family emergency; You must notify the House Manager within 72 hours). The house meeting is held at your place of residence.
  4. Have full time employment (If the Resident is financially independent, they must volunteer a minimum of 3 days per week and/or attend educational programs/classes; Refer to the work/volunteer section for requirements). 
  5.  Residents must be current on their rent.
  6. All Residents must contribute to the slush fund. The slush fund is a general weekly fund to pay for basic household needs such as cleaning products, garbage bags, and toilet paper.
  7. All Residents are expected to do their daily chore that is assigned to them.
  8. Residents must participate in their aftercare that they were discharged with from their treatment facility, probation/parole, and/or set up by themselves. This includes but is not limited to: Drug & Alcohol counseling, mental health counseling(individual and/or group therapy), all medical appointments.
  9. Residents must comply with all legal obligations. Residents are responsible for informing the house manager of any changes in their supervision.
  10. Residents must open a bank account. If you have any issues with opening a bank account one of the team members can refer you to several banks that grant the opportunity for second chance accounts.
  11. Residents are to create a budget that includes paying off back debt and/or fines.
  12. Residents on Phase II should be financially fully self-supporting..
  13. All Residents are to get a physical done via a primary care physician or at a local free clinic. As we progress through recovery our body undergoes a lot of changes and we should be incorporating self-care into our lifestyle.
  14. All Residents are to create a list of coping skills to aid in emotion regulation. Emotional sobriety is one of the most challenging aspects of early recovery. We often make emotional, impulsive decisions and in recovery we learn to ground and to wait for clarity before acting. A team member will explain in detail what this list looks like, how to create the list, and how to apply it to your daily life as a means to help you achieve emotional sobriety.
  15. Follow all the rules & regulations outlined in the Harmony House Foundation’s Handbook.
  16. Whether you belong to a 12-step fellowship or an alternative program for your recovery you are required to do the following or its equivalent:
  • Attend 4 meetings a week
  • Attend Home Group Business Meeting (or equivalent)
  • Started Step Work (Steps 1-4)

Phase III
Phase III starts after you have completed all the requirements for Phase II. Phase III Residents are growing in their recovery. After some time creating a foundation, balancing life’s obligations and recovery, we begin to look at how to instill altruism into our everyday life. As we continue our  journey through self discovery, emotional sobriety, and learning to manage all of life’s challenges we start to examine our relationships to those around us. In addiction we tend to be disconnected from how we impact others with our selfish actions and demands. Now we are finally ready to make some changes as we start to work with others, to help our community, we are  making profound changes on how we interact with the world around us. Remember this is a spiritual as well as an altruistic program!(All Residents are evaluated at the end of each month).
  1. Residents on Phase III can sleep out 3 nights a week with a 12 hour notice. If there is an emergency with family or out of the area court proceedings the House Manager must be notified as soon as possible and provided the necessary contact information. (Children of the Resident are permitted to stay at the home during Phase III for no more than 3 days with House Manager’s approval).
  2. Curfew Sunday-Thursday is 12am & Friday-Saturday 1am. Residents can work as late as they need to however notify the House Manager of schedule updates at the house meeting and continue to communicate when you get home. The Resident must notify the designated Senior Resident of the “Home” and send a message in the “Home”’s group text that they are home before curfew. If you are planning on attending a meeting or engaged in an activity that is later than curfew the House Manager must be notified via text in group chat. It is the Residents responsibility to keep an open line of communication!
  3. Attend every weekly house meeting with the House Manager. The weekly house meeting is when rent is collected, receipts issued, chore inspection is conducted, house maintenance issues are addressed, and all internal house concerns are addressed. (The only reasons to be absent from the weekly house meeting are if there is a conflict with your work schedule or family emergency; You must notify the House Manager within 72 hours). The house meeting is held at your place of residence.
  4. Have full time employment (If the Resident is financially independent, they must volunteer a minimum of 3 days per week and/or attend educational programs/classes; Refer to the work/volunteer section for requirements). 
  5.  Residents must be current on their rent.
  6. All Residents must contribute to the slush fund. The slush fund is a general weekly fund to pay for basic household needs such as cleaning products, garbage bags, and toilet paper.
  7. All Residents are expected to do their daily chore that is assigned to them.
  8. Residents must participate in their aftercare that they were discharged with from their treatment facility, probation/parole, and/or set up by themselves. This includes but is not limited to: Drug & Alcohol counseling, mental health counseling(individual and/or group therapy), all medical appointments. Please notify the House Manager if you have completed any aftercare.
  9. Residents must comply with all legal obligations. Residents are responsible for informing the house manager of any changes in their supervision.
  10. Residents will review and amend their initial budgets to reflect any changes that may have occurred.
  11. Residents will amend their coping skills list to reflect any new, healthy habits they may have adapted.
  12. Phase III Residents are progressing in recovery and are beginning to exercise the act of helping others, therefore when new Residents arrive at the “Home” you welcome them and introduce them to people in your support group.
  13. All Residents on Phase III are required to create a resume or update a preexisting one. It is recommended you make your resume on google documents since it is a cloud it will save online so it is never lost and you will easily have access to it at any time. A team member will schedule a day and time to sit down and go over what a resume looks like and help you to create a new one. If the Resident has a CRS they can create one with their CRS instead of a team member if they choose. Please bring the completed resume to a house meeting so the house manager can review it and make copies for you.
  14. All Residents on Phase III are required to volunteer twice at a local soup kitchen, food bank, homeless shelter or a similar cause. Since we are learning about selfless service to others it’s important we give back to the community we reside in.
  15. Follow all the rules & regulations outlined in the Harmony House Foundation’s Handbook.
  16. Whether you belong to a 12-step fellowship or an alternative program for your recovery you are required to do the following or its equivalent:
  • Attend 3 meetings a week
  • Commitment at Home Group (or equivalent)
  • Finish Step Work (Steps 5-12)

Phase IV
Duration of Phase IV is indefinite provided you continue to follow all the regulations and policies in The Harmony House Foundation’s Resident Handbook. Residents on Phase IV are considered Senior Residents and are viewed as a leader in the “Home”. All Phase IV Residents will be trained to administer drug tests and have several In-House responsibilities that help teach communication and accountability. The goal is to teach the Senior Resident effective leadership skills, develop meaningful interpersonal relationships, and practice spiritual principles in all of our affairs. Congratulations!!! You are a great demonstration that sustained recovery is possible!
  1. Residents on Phase II can sleep out 5 nights a week with a 6 hour notice as well as have a guest sleep over 3 nights a week. If there is an emergency with family or out of the area court proceedings the House Manager must be notified as soon as possible and provided the necessary contact information.
  2. Curfew Sunday-Thursday is 1am & Friday-Saturday 2am. Residents can work as late as they need to however notify the House Manager of schedule updates at the house meeting and continue to communicate when you get home. The Resident must notify the designated Senior Resident of the “Home” and send a message in the “Home”’s group text that they are home before curfew. If you are planning on attending a meeting or engaged in an activity that is later than curfew the House Manager must be notified via text in group chat. It is the Residents responsibility to keep an open line of communication!
  3. Attend every weekly house meeting with the House Manager. The weekly house meeting is when rent is collected, receipts issued, chore inspection is conducted, house maintenance issues are addressed, and all internal house concerns are addressed. (The only reasons to be absent from the weekly house meeting are if there is a conflict with your work schedule or family emergency; You must notify the House Manager within 72 hours). The house meeting is held at your place of residence.
  4. Have full time employment (If the Resident is financially independent, they must volunteer a minimum of 3 days per week and/or attend educational programs/classes; Refer to the work/volunteer section for requirements). 
  5.  Residents must be current on their rent.
  6. All Residents must contribute to the slush fund. The slush fund is a general weekly fund to pay for basic household needs such as cleaning products, garbage bags, and toilet paper.
  7. All Residents are expected to do their daily chore that is assigned to them.
  8. Residents must participate in their aftercare that they were discharged with from their treatment facility, probation/parole, and/or set up by themselves. This includes but is not limited to: Drug & Alcohol counseling, mental health counseling(individual and/or group therapy), all medical appointments. Please notify the House Manager if you have completed any aftercare.
  9. Residents must comply with all legal obligations. Residents are responsible for informing the house manager of any changes in their supervision.
  10. Senior Residents will take an online course for drug screening, be provided with several drug tests for on the spot testing per request by a team member.
  11. Phase IV Residents help new Residents get to meetings. Some Senior Residents may not have a car yet, understandably so, however introducing new Residents to sober support, accompanying them to their first several meetings, and providing meeting information are all ways we can give back and help a new Resident feel welcomed.
  12. Residents will amend their coping skills list to reflect any new, healthy habits they may have adapted.
  13. Senior Residents will conduct a nightly head count to assure everybody arrived home safely and by curfew.
  14. Senior Residents are responsible for holding a weekly slush meeting before the weekly house meeting. At this meeting slush funds will be collected for household needs and a chores list will be created by the Senior Resident for the “Home”.
  15. Follow all the rules & regulations outlined in the Harmony House Foundation’s Handbook.
  16. Whether you belong to a 12-step fellowship or an alternative program for your recovery you are required to do the following or its equivalent:
  • Attend 2 meetings a week
  • Chair a Home Group Meeting
  • Sponsor people (Senior Residents are sober support for those at their location however they cannot sponsor any new Residents that live with them due to conflict of interest)

GUESTS & OVERNIGHTS

The entire goal of sober living is to learn how to maintain recovery and become a functional member of your community. Spending time with friends and family provides a few different benefits to our Residents. First, they offer social support. This is the kind of support is provided to people entering a sober lifestyle by peers, family, or work colleagues; it can make a difference for those who feel isolated because they realize they can reach out to others within their group for help whenever they need it. It’s hard to figure out how to handle every situation on your own, and the advice and suggestions offered by your family/support group will be a key element in your recovery. 
Emotional support is another benefit you can receive from your support group and family. When you’re going through so many changes in your life, it may feel like your emotions are all over. Fortunately, the friends you make can help you by talking with you and helping you to work through your current problems, so you can become more balanced and settle into a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle. Emotional support is indispensable in recovery and a very effective, healthy coping skill.
Something else you might be looking for is feedback. When you are a part of a peer support group, feedback is readily available about how you handle situations and to move forward in a healthy fashion. Your peer support group will also be able to observe your behavior and activities, and they may be able to help you recognize negative behaviors and unhealthy coping skills before they begin to impact you, with your relationships and the overall quality of your life. You may be able to catch relapses before they happen thanks to the support network you make. Remember relapse happens in three stages: Emotional, mental and then finally physical.
Enjoying recreation time with friends and family is an integral part of recovery as well. As we grow in recovery, we begin to reconnect with all the activities we once enjoyed or discover new ones along the way. It’s important to make time with friends and family and just learn to relax and enjoy life once again.


GUEST DAY VISITS:
Each Resident is permitted to have guests over to the “Home” regardless of the Resident’s phase, however Phase I-III Resident’s are only permitted to have their children as an overnight guest.  Residents are responsible for their guests’ behavior. Residents are also responsible to make sure all the requirements and policies outlined in the Resident Handbook are adhered to. Failure to follow the guest requirements and policies will result in the Resident being fined, placed on a behavioral contract and/or immediate termination of residency. The consequence depends on the severity of the situation. Safety for the other Residents and surrounding community must always come first!
The following are the guidelines for having guests over the “Home”:

  1. Guests’ hours at the “Home”:
  • Sunday-Thursday 6am-10pm
  • Friday-Saturday 6am-12am
  1. If a guest will be at the “Home” before or after the scheduled times, the House Manager must be notified.
  2. Each Resident agrees to not bring guests into the Home that is, or suspected of, using. All guests are subject to random drug tests while visiting the “Home”. The Resident is financially responsible for all tests given to their guests.
  3. No one is permitted in the “Home” who has a warrant out for their arrest, is a violent criminal, is convicted of a sexual offense, etc. 
  4. Every Resident in the “Home” shall have an obligation to tell the House Manager of any prior behavior issues of a potential guest, so that the House Manager can determine if the proposed guest is suitable to be invited to visit the Home.
  5. Each Resident agrees to clean up after their own guest.
GUESTS OVERNIGHT VISITS:
Residents are responsible for all their guests’ behavior and will be held accountable. All guests must respect the policies in the Resident Handbook. If a Resident fails to adhere to the policies they will be fined, placed on a behavioral contract and/or residency will be terminated. The consequence depends on the severity of the situation. Safety for the other Residents and surrounding community must always come first!
  1. Phase I-II Residents are not permitted to have any overnight guests. The only exceptions to this rule are children and family. Residents on Phase I-III must notify the House Manager 1 week prior to the potential opportunity for an overnight visit with their children. The House Manager may approve appropriate overnight visits however they reserve the right to use their discretion to deny them if they feel it may hinder or infringe on the Resident’s transition into the “Home”, may endanger the safety of the Resident, and/or disrupt their recovery.
  2. If a Resident is in Phase III and has met all the requirements before and is prepared to move onto Phase IV, the House Manager may permit overnights upon request.
  3.  Residents on Phase IV are permitted to have overnight guests stay over 3 nights a week, with the House Manager’s approval.
  4. All Residents must be current on rent to have any overnight guests.
  5. All guests are subject to random drug tests while at the “Home”. The Resident is financially responsible for all tests given to their guests.
RESIDENT OVERNIGHT VISITS:
Residents must notify the House Manager of any overnight visits they may be doing. Residents are expected to be where they stated they will be staying.Contact information is to be provided to the house manager such as: name, location, and phone number.  Residents are expected to be transparent in all their affairs; if there is any level of dishonesty in their transgressions with the House Manager they will be fined, placed on a behavioral contract and/or residency will be terminated. 
  1. Phase I Residents are only permitted overnights regarding court proceedings and family emergencies. 
  • The House Manager must be notified immediately for family emergency issues. 
  • The House Manager must be notified with a 72 hours’ notice for court proceedings. 
  • Paperwork must be provided at the following house meeting to the House Manager. Failure to produce paperwork will be considered a violation of the guidelines and is taken seriously. In recovery we must be accountable for our actions and we strive to alleviate any suspicion our behavior may create. 
  • The Resident is financially responsible for all tests given for staying out for consecutive nights. 
  1. Phase II Residents are permitted to stay out 2 nights per week. The House Manager must be notified 24 hours in advance. If the Resident decides to stay out for 2 consecutive nights, with the approval of the House Manager, they must provide a drug test upon their return to the “Home”.
  2. Phase III Residents are permitted to stay out 3 nights per week. The House Manager must be notified 12 hours in advance. If the Resident chooses to stay out for 2 or more consecutive nights, with the approval of the House Manager, they must provide a drug test upon their return to the “Home”.
  3. Phase IV Residents are permitted to stay out 5 nights per week. The House Manager must be notified 6 hours in advance. If the Resident chooses to stay out for 2 or more consecutive nights, with the approval of the House Manager, they must provide a drug test upon their return to the “Home”. 
  4. The Resident is financially responsible for all tests given for staying out for consecutive nights. 
  5. All Residents must be current on rent to exercise their overnight privileges.

RESIDENT CONTRACTS
Residents face many challenges in early recovery. There are a lot of expectations and responsibilities that overwhelm us, and we don’t quite have the necessary tools for handling those situations quite yet. As we are learning to develop new, healthy behaviors we will often be confronted with areas we struggle in. At the Harmony House Foundation, we understand not all Residents are as far along in recovery as others and with that bumps in the road will occur. If a Resident is having difficulty with behavioral issues, relapse, self-care, and financial responsibility we offer the Resident the option of going on contract. Residents are only afforded this opportunity if there is a low risk factor for the safety of the Resident, the surrounding community, and their fellow Residents in the “Home”. After consulting with all the Residents in the “Home” they are living in, the Executive Director and House Manager will decide whether a contract or immediate termination of residency is appropriate. Therefore, keep in mind not every Resident is extended the courtesy of a contract. If the Resident is offered the 2nd chance contract the House Manager will go over all the requirements with them as well as with the Senior Resident. The Executive Director will personalize each contract to fit the needs of the Resident. However, there is a standard outline for each contract that are listed below:
  1. Residents are put back on Phase I (Probationary Period) for the duration of contract.
  2. Duration of all contracts (apart from the financial contract) are for at least 60 days.
  3. Residents must communicate daily with the House manager.
  4. Residents must attend all the suggested resources agreed to on the contract and provide paperwork to the House Manager at the weekly house meeting.
  5. Residents must sign releases for all outside resources they are attending so the House Manager may verify attendance.
  6. If a Resident violates any of the requirements of the contract and/or the Resident Handbook, their residency will be immediately terminated
  7. Residents placed on a Relapse Prevention contract will have a detailed discussion with the Executive Director regarding requirements and expectations at the Introduction class of the Relapse Prevention course. Relapse Prevention’s weekly paperwork and assignments are shared online via Google Drive. The meeting time and location will be posted in the Relapse Prevention group chat weekly.
When a Resident successfully completes their contract requirements, they will receive feedback on their progress or lack thereof from the other Residents at the “Home” which they are residing. Peer support is indispensable in recovery, they often can see negative behaviors we are blind to and can offer invaluable feedback to help us grow in our recovery and possibly save our life. If the Executive Director, House Manager, and the Residents of your “Home” are satisfied with your participation and progress you will have completed your contract, your probationary period will be concluded, and you move onto Phase II.

Policy Concerning Use of Drugs & Alcohol
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
– Mahatma Gandhi
While living at the “Home”, each of the Residents are expected to remain clean and sober at all times and shall refrain from the use of alcohol, illegal drugs, any mood or mind-altering chemicals and/or prescription drugs for which they do not have a valid prescription. Any violation of this rule can result in immediate termination of the Resident’s tenancy. If a Resident has relapsed the following procedure will take place:
  1. First and foremost, the Resident must immediately go to the local hospital for a medical & mental health assessment. *Only under extenuating circumstances will there be an exception to this regulation which will be decided by the Executive Director.
  • A release must be signed for the House Manager to speak with medical personnel as well as crisis workers.
  • The Resident must agree to the treatment recommendations provided by the professionals at the hospital. (If inpatient treatment is what they are suggesting, the Resident must go to the level of care that is recommended).
  • Prior to discharge and/or returning to the “Home”, the House Manager must speak with the professional in charge of the Resident’s care to confirm they are medically cleared to return as well as the aftercare recommendations. 
  • The House Manager will consult with all Residents of the “Home” to make sure they feel safe with the above-mentioned Resident returning as well as any cares and concerns they may have. The feedback from the other Residents in the “Home” is considered invaluable and will be integrated into the relapse prevention contract.
  • The House Manager will inform all the Residents of the aftercare plan in place as well as the requirements of the relapse prevention contract and help guide the Residents in fostering a healthy supportive environment for the returning Resident. 
  • The returning Resident will be placed on a relapse prevention contract, will be placed on Phase I for the duration of the contract, attend the weekly relapse prevention course, and must attend all aftercare.
  • If the returning Resident violates the relapse prevention contract and/or does not adhere to the Phase I requirements, at any point, their residency at the “Home” will be terminated. 
  1. The House Manager reserves the right to use discretion in matters of safety. If at any point, the House Manager believes there is a high-risk factor for safety regarding the surrounding community, the “Home”, Residents, or the Resident whom relapsed, the House Manager will immediately terminate their residency. The Resident will have 2 hours to obtain all their belongings and secure somewhere to go.
  2. If the Harmony House Foundation feels the Resident is a danger to themselves or others a 302 warrant will be filed immediately.

OVERDOSE & NARCAN POLICY
Although the Harmony House Foundation has strict policies about maintaining a drug free lifestyle, we understand anything is a possibility. So, in the event a Resident has overdosed in the “Home”, Narcan is located in every house in a designated medicine cabinet. All New Residents are mandated to watch a video on how to administer Narcan and receive a certification. The following is an outline how to handle this emergency situation:
  1. Call 911 immediately
  2. Go to the medicine cabinet and take out the Narcan
  3. Administer rescue breaths & Narcan as follows:
    1. Do rescue breathing for a few quick breaths if the person is not breathing.
    2. Peel back the package to remove the device. Hold the device with your thumb on the bottom of the plunger and 2 fingers on the nozzle.
    3. Place and hold the tip of the nozzle in either nostril until your fingers touch the bottom of the Resident's nose.
    4. Press the plunger firmly to release the dose into the Resident's nose.
    5. If there is no breathing or breathing continues to be shallow, continue to perform rescue breathing for them while waiting for the naloxone to take effect.
    6. If there is no change in 3-5 minutes, administer another dose of naloxone and continue to breathe for them. If the second dose of naloxone does not revive them, something else is wrong—either it has been too long and the heart has already stopped, there are no opioids in their system, or the opioids are unusually strong and require more naloxone (can happen with Fentanyl, for example).
  4. Continue rescue breathing until paramedics arrive, an overdose occurs when the respiratory system cannot function. The person is essentially drowning, even though a person may appear to no longer be alive their other organs may still be functioning, your breaths may be what saves their life.
  5. After the paramedics arrive and the Resident is under the care of professional medical personnel, notify the Executive Director and House Manager immediately.

DRUG TESTING
Certain agencies (drug courts, probation/parole departments, children services, etc.) require an advanced program of drug testing, which includes buprenorphine (suboxone) testing. We do supply a comprehensive random urine drug testing program which covers various widely abused drugs (16-panel drug test).
  • Each Resident agrees that, at the request of the Executive Director, House Manager, team member, and/or Senior Resident, they shall be subject to a random drug test.
  • Each Resident agrees, at date of move-in, they are consenting to a random drug testing, refusal at any point during the Residents stay at the “Home” will be considered a positive urine and their residency will be immediately terminated.
  • Any Resident staying out on an overnight and/or extended overnight visit will be responsible for the expense of a drug test upon their return.
  • If there are any suspicions of drug/alcohol use that needs lab confirmation, the Resident is expected to pay all lab costs.
  • Any violation of this rule will result in immediate termination of residency.
  • There is a 2-hour limit to produce a urine sample. If a Resident cannot comply with the 2-hour regulation, then a doctor’s note must be provided, or it is considered a positive test result.
  • Any Resident that appears to be visibly intoxicated by the Executive Director and/or House Manager will have their residency terminated. Unfortunately, not everything can be tested immediately, and some drugs simply cannot be tested (example: synthetics) and we must use our discretion to provide safety to all parties involved. The Resident will be escorted to the local crisis center.

MEDICATIONS
General Information:
  1. All medications to be taken by each Resident (prescription and over-the-counter medications) must be pre-approved by the House Manager. This includes but is not limited to pre-workout supplements, thrive, melatonin, etc.
  2. All medications must be kept in a lock box and must not be in plain view. Recovery is about learning the importance of self-care. It is imperative we are responsible for all our medications. Lock boxes are available for under $10 at many local retail stores. If a Resident cannot find an affordable lock box, one will be provided to them at the cost of $10. Resident’s ideally should acquire a lock box prior to moving into the “Home”. If this is not an option for the Resident due to finances, they will have 2 weeks to obtain one. If the Resident fails to get a lock box, they will be fined and/or placed on a self-care contract.
  3. All medications are subject to be counted at random times to ensure they are being taken as prescribed. Residents refusing to have their medications counted by the House Manager will have their residency terminated immediately. If a Resident’s medication count is off, they will be placed on a contract and/or residency will be terminated. 
  4. You cannot bring any medications into the “Home” that is considered a narcotic, without prior approval of the House Manager.
  • The Resident should notify all medical professionals treating them that they are in recovery.
  • The Resident must have a release signed for the Executive Director and House Manager to speak with the attending doctor.
  • The prescription must have a duration of time listed for the medication to be used. PRN’s (take as needed) are rarely accepted, they must have a discard date on the label of the prescription bottle.
  • The Resident must keep the medication in a lock box.
  1. The House Manager must be notified of all medication changes. 
  2. If you have any insurance issues, difficulty in obtaining necessary medications (medical & psychiatric), please notify the House Manager immediately. It is integral to your recovery that you practice healthy medical and mental health hygiene. The House Manager can be a great resource to help guide you in the right direction when discrepancies occur. It is best you notify the House Manager as quickly as possible when you become aware of any potential issues with refilling/obtaining your medications.

GABAPENTIN POLICY & PROCEDURES:
Gabapentin is used to treat a large range of issues from anxiety, chronic pain, seizures, etc. Unfortunately, it is often misused and abused. The Harmony House Foundation does not discriminate against Residents who are prescribed gabapentin. However, there are very strict regulations for those Residents who are currently taking it under medical supervision to avoid any potential misuse and/or abuse. If you are prescribed gabapentin while you are at the “Home” you will be required to do the following:
  1. Monthly lab reports are required to monitor gabapentin levels. The House Manager must have a letter from the prescribing doctor stating the appropriate lab levels for the dose that is prescribed.
 
  • The Resident can go to their doctor and have lab work requested and go to the facility of their choosing to have the lab work done. This is often covered by insurance. The Resident must provide the lab results to the House Manager within 1 weeks’ time of the lab work.
  • The Harmony House Foundation can send urine tests out at the expense of the Resident approximately $30/lab test. A receipt of all lab test costs will be provided to the Resident for their records.

MEDICALLY ASSISTED THERAPY (MAT) POLICY & PROCEDURES:
The Harmony House Foundation supports individuals that are currently receiving medically assisted therapy. Any Resident entertaining the idea of MAT who is not currently on medications must discuss their decision with the Executive Director and House Manager. The Residents that are currently on MAT must adhere to the following procedures: 
  1. If a Resident is on methadone, a copy of their drug screening must be provided weekly as well as a release must be signed for the Executive Director and House Manager
 
  1. If a Resident is on suboxone or Subutex  ( or any variety of these medications) they will have their medication counted weekly, Phase I Residents will have their medications counted several times a week.
  2. Residents on  Vivatrol (or any variant of this medication) must inform the House Manager of their decision to stop treatment.
  3. Any Resident on Medical Marijuana must adhere to the following:
    • Must have the Executive Director and/or House Manager on their card as a caretaker.
    • Can only obtain their medication after the Executive Director and/or House Manager have spoken with the dispensary the Resident is choosing to use.
    • Must provide a copy of the prescription and their medical marijuana card to the House Manager
    • Must keep their medication in a lock box and use only as prescribed
    • No vaporizing is permitted at any “Home”
    • The only permitted forms of consumption are:
      1. Pills
      2. Liquids/Tinctures
      3. Topicals
      4. Patches
  • The following forms of consumption are NOT permitted: (Unless the Executive Director speaks with the prescribing doctor and there are extenuating circumstances)
    1. Extracts (shatter, wax, oil, budder, resin)
    2. Flower
Residents who decide to start transition off of any MAT must notify the House Manager immediately. Tapering off any narcotic can be a huge struggle and is considered high risk for relapse. The Harmony House Foundation would like to see every Resident be successful on their journey to recovery and feels some safety precautions would serve as added support during this challenging time. 
  1. Any Resident tapering will have to attend additional MAT support groups located at New Roots Recovery Support Center located at 121 Water St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 (if alternative agencies have the same services available that you would rather attend please notify the House Manager). 
  2. The Resident would be required to follow all procedures and protocol as prescribed by the medical doctor and agency overseeing their treatment. 
  3. The House Manager is to have a copy of the taper schedule with the projected stop date documented.
  4. The Resident is to schedule and attend a doctor’s appointment with their PCP to obtain comfort medication to help them manage any withdrawal symptoms they may experience. Often with long-acting opiates the withdrawal process is delayed because of the half life of the medication and may come out of nowhere. It is in the Resident’s best interest to have comfort medication readily available at the “Home” in case this occurs. If the medication isn’t needed, it can easily be taken to a local pharmacy and disposed of.
  5. The first week of absence from the Resident’s MAT medication they are to schedule an appointment with a local mental health agency if they have a co-occurring mental health disorder.
  6. Once the Resident is completely off the medication a doctor’s discontinued note needs to be given to the House Manager. 
  7.  Residents will be escorted by the House Manager to a local pharmacy to dispose of any “left-over” medication.
  8. One week after the Resident is completely off their MAT medication, they are to provide a negative drug test to confirm they are no longer using the medication. If the drug test is positive it is considered a relapse.

HOSPITAL VISITS
Residents may encounter medical emergencies while living at the “Home”. The following guidelines are the procedure if you find yourself going to the emergency room and/or being admitted to the hospital.
  1. The House Manager must be notified immediately of any emergency room visits and/or hospital admissions. The House Manager will notify the emergency contact listed on your application to inform the party of your circumstances.
  2. The Resident is to sign a release for the Executive Director and House Manager to speak with the medical staff attending the Resident.
  3. It is imperative to have open communication with all medical staff. The Resident is strongly encouraged to inform the medical staff that they are in recovery. The medical professionals overseeing the Resident’s care must be able to effectively treat the Resident and all information must be available for them to do this. If they believe no alternative is available and an addictive medicine is the only way to treat the Resident, the Resident is encouraged to follow their medical advice. (Refer to medication section for procedure & policy).
  4. The Resident must notify their CRS, sponsor and support group of their current circumstance. (or the equivalent if you’re are attending an alternate program)

MENTAL HEALTH HYGIENE
Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to her or his community. Therefore, if you don’t have a healthy mental state it will be hard for you to live your life to the fullest extent. 
There’s clearly a connection between substance abuse and mental health disorders, and any number of combinations can develop, each with its own set of unique causes and symptoms, as well as its own appropriate intervention and  treatment methods.
By far the most common issue connecting mental illness and substance abuse is the intention of patients to medicate the mental health symptoms that they find disruptive or uncomfortable by using alcohol and drugs.
Unfortunately, drugs and alcohol often do little to address the underlying mental health symptoms and ultimately create a whole new batch of problems for the patient while also increasing the severity of the original mental health symptom or symptoms.
Often, certain drugs can create problems that trigger mental health symptoms. In other cases, substances can create mental health symptoms like paranoia, delusions or depression while the person is under the influence of the drug. When these symptoms last after the drugs wear off, then it can indicate a co-occurring mental health disorder.
Whether you are experiencing poor mental health (depression, anxiety, mood swings, etc.) from a pre-existing mental health illness or from P.A.W.S. related symptoms, it is imperative to your recovery to practice good mental health hygiene. While at The Harmony House Foundation you will be expected to:
  1. Attend all scheduled appointments with your mental health professionals (Psychiatrists, therapists, case managers, etc.) A copy of your aftercare plan is to be provided to the House Manager at the first house meeting you attend. If no aftercare plan was developed, please inform the House Manager of any pre-existing mental health diagnosis and/or P.A.W.S symptoms you may be experiencing. The House Manager can provide you with information about local community resources available, so you can receive proper care to help manage your symptoms. These resources can be found on the community board located in each “Home” as well.
  2. Take all psychiatric medication as prescribed. Residents cannot decide for themselves they no longer need their medications on their own. They must consult with their doctor and amend their corresponding treatment plan to reflect any medication changed/discontinued. Some medications require you to slowly taper down to avoid withdrawal symptoms and must be done under strict medical supervision. The House Manager must be notified of all medication changes and/or amended treatment plans.
  3. Residents are responsible for timely medication refills. If there are any discrepancies with obtaining a refill, the Resident should notify the House Manager immediately. There are many resources available in the community to help with medications refills and/or insurance discrepancies that the House Manager can help guide you towards to prevent a delay/lapse in medication doses.
  4. All medications must be kept in a lock box. At any time, the House Manager can conduct an inventory of the Resident’s medication. The Resident is solely responsible to be proactive in securing and storing all medications properly. (Refer to medication section for procedure & policy).
When we are free of depression, anxiety, excessive stress and worry, addictions, and/or other psychological problems, we are more able to live our lives to the fullest. Peace of mind is a natural condition and is available to everyone.
Mental health strengthens and supports our ability to:
  • have healthy relationships
  • make good life choices
  • maintain physical health and well-being
  • handle the natural ups and downs of life
  • discover and grow toward our potential
If any Resident is struggling with any mental health issues and/or symptoms, please notify a Senior Resident or the House Manager. If there any questions, concerns, or further help is needed please contact the Executive Director. If any Resident is feeling suicidal or is experiencing an immediate crisis, please call 1-855-616-1489 or 911 for help.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
SOBRIETY CONTRACT:
The Sobriety Contract is designed to help the Resident in several ways. First it helps the Resident commit to sober living for 90 days to help develop as many recovery and independent living skills as possible. Second it encourages the Resident to responsibly manage and plan for moving into a fully independent environment and gradually transition back into society. In addiction we often act on impulse, usually dictated by our emotions. In recovery we are striving for emotional sobriety, we counter this impulsive behavior by learning to pause.; So, we can make clear, responsible decisions not ones governed by states of emotional intoxication. 
The following outlines the sobriety contract:
  1. Residents commit to a minimum of 90 days at the “Home”.
  2. If a Resident is asked to leave due to violating the guidelines in The Harmony House Foundation’s “Resident Handbook”, they forfeit their deposit, regardless of the duration at the “Home”.
  3. If a Resident successfully completes a 90 day stay at the “Home” and is transitioning into an independent living environment:
  • Residents must give no less than a 2 week notice to the House Manager.
  • Residents must be current on rent.
  • Resident does not pay rent for the last 2 weeks they are living in the
 “Home”. Security deposit is given back in time not in monetary currency, this is for safety reasons.
  • Residents will continue to follow all the guidelines in The Harmony House Foundation’s “Resident Handbook”.

DEPOSIT:
The House Manager will further explain the sobriety contract, deposit, and rent procedures if needed and provide a receipt upon payment. The deposit covers the following:
  1. 1st week’s rent 
  • Each Resident pays the 1st week’s rent prior to moving into the “Home”. The 1st week’s rent is self-explanatory and goes towards the first week of the Resident’s rent (rent is collected on a weekly basis at the mandatory house meeting with the House Manager). Rent is always collected ahead of time. Depending on what day of the week you move in, you may be expected to pay rent at your first house meeting. Rent is always collected for the upcoming week. 
  • If you are securing a bed at the “Home” in advance, you will be responsible to pay the rent to cover holding the bed (unless an agreement has been established with the House Manager). Example: Resident is in a treatment center for 3 more weeks but wishes to secure a bed, they will be responsible to pay rent for the 3 weeks the bed is being held.
  1. Last 2 weeks’ rent 
  • If the Resident has met all the requirements outlined in the Sobriety Contract, the remainder of the deposit pays for the last 2 weeks of their stay at the “Home”.  Therefore, the Resident is given time to move the amount of money given for the deposit. We do not give cash deposits back for safety reasons.(Refer to Sobriety contract for a further explanation).
RENT:
  1. Rent is collected weekly at the house meeting by the House Manager. We prefer electronic payment via Cash App. Please send your payments to $HarmonyHouseRent. We understand most people do not have a card or a cash app account upon arrival, we will help you reach this goal the first month of your residency. A receipt is provided for every financial transaction. (All transactions are kept in an online chart and are shown to the Resident each house meeting. All master receipts are kept on file until the Resident moves out and can be viewed upon request).
  2. If a Resident is paying monthly or biweekly it must be in advance for the upcoming weeks.
  3.  Residents are generally not permitted to fall behind more than 2 weeks; their residency will be terminated, and their deposit will be used to cover the weeks they did not pay. If the House Manager decides to make a payment arrangement with the Resident in default, they will be put on a financial contract which will outline the payment arrangement and they will be placed back on Phase I until all contract requirements have been met.
  4. Any Resident that is not current on rent cannot stay out for overnight visits nor have sleepovers at the “Home” regardless of their Phase. 
  5. If a Resident is excused from the house meeting (per House Manager), they are to have the Senior Resident of their “Home” count their money in their presence, the money is then secured in an envelope marked with the name, date, location, and amount. The Senior Resident and the requesting Resident are to notify the House Manager via group chat that the money has been counted, the amount counted and secured in the safe to avoid any potential discrepancies. If the Resident has set up a Cash App account the rent should be sent directly to $HarmonyHouseRent the morning of the house meeting.

EXTRA LIVING EXPENSES:
  1. Air conditioners are an additional $25.00/month, you are expected to pay at the beginning of the month. 
  • If you have an air conditioner, fan, T.V., radio etc. in your room you must turn off all electronic equipment when you are not home. If you leave any electronic equipment on while you are not home, you will be fined.
  1. If you violate any of the requirements in the Resident Handbook, you may potentially be fined. (Curfew, mandated meetings, chore requirements, etc.) The following chart is an outline of what the expense is per offense. 
1st Offense
$10.00
2nd Offense
$20.00
3rd Offense
$30.00
4th Offense
$40.00
5th Offense
$50.00 
Resident is placed on behavioral contract

  1. All Residents contribute to general household products. Such as toilet paper, cleaning products, garbage stickers, and misc. supplies needed for the upkeep of the household as well as the community as a whole. Each resident is expected to pay $5.00/week towards the house fund to maintain these necessary supplies.
  • Senior Residents are to hold a brief meeting before the scheduled weekly house meeting. At that time the Senior Resident will do the chore list, review supplies needed for the house, and collect money. Senior Residents can delegate errand running if they are unable to purchase the house supplies themselves. All Residents are expected to turn in receipts to the Senior Resident, who then in turn brings them to the house meeting for the House Manager.
  • Ideally the house should communicate with each other and independently be self-sustaining, without oversight from the House Manager.
  1. All Residents are responsible for drug tests given to them for consecutive overnight stays and/or guests. Residents are also responsible for the lab fees of drug tests sent out for laboratory testing upon request by the Executive Director and House Manager. The following are the fees:
Drug Test
$10.00
Misc. Dipsticks
$10.00
Gabapentin Lab Fees
$30.00
Misc. Lab Fees
Varies depending on what is being tested, House Manager will 
provide a printout of costs to the Resident for payment

FINANCIAL POLICIES:
  1. At any time during your stay at the “Home” you can request to see your personal account records the Executive Director keeps online..All transactions from the entirety of your stay at the Harmony House Foundation are kept on file and are available to you upon request.
  2. At no time will any employee or person(s) representing The Harmony House Foundation directly or indirectly solicit or accept a commission, fee or anything of monetary or material value from Residents, other related individuals, third party entities or referral sources, beyond specified rent and/or additional fees discussed in The Harmony House Foundation’s Resident Handbook at the time of residency.
  3. At no time will any employee or person(s) representing The Harmony House Foundation require a Resident to sign any document for the purpose of relinquishing the Resident’s public assistance benefits, including, but not limited to, medical assistance benefits, cash assistance and snap benefits.

EMPLOYMENT & VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS
Sober Living affords the Residents to experience a peer support environment while they continue to develop independent living skills. Learning to integrate back into the community can be challenging, especially during the early stages of recovery. There is a lot to balance and becoming overwhelmed with past responsibilities resurfacing and current obligations is often something we must learn to cope with if we are to grow in our recovery. This alone can often make a Resident feel self-defeated. However, there are many resources available to help you along your journey. The ultimate goal for each Resident is to be financially fully self-supporting. The following is an outline of what is required of each Resident:
  1. Residents who are financially independent (receiving social security benefits, trust funds, worker’s compensation, etc.) must volunteer a minimum of 3 days a week. The place the Resident is volunteering at must provide a letterhead which has the day and hours volunteered. The Resident must give the House Manager the mandatory paperwork every week at the house meeting. If there are any issues with finding a place to volunteer, please let the House Manager know so they can provide you with community resources.
  2. If a Resident will not be employed while attending classes/educational programs, they must provide a copy of the class credits they are taking as well as provide proof of a source of income to the House Manager at least 2 weeks prior to the start date of the program/school.
  3. Residents who do not fall into the sections listed above, must be employed full time. If at any time a Resident is having difficulty obtaining employment please contact the House Manager. They can provide employment resources as well as suggestions for any questions and/or concerns.
  • The House Manager must be notified of any employment changes not mentioned on your intake. 
  • Any Resident that has decided to switch employers or to leave their present employer, must inform the House Manager at least 2 weeks prior to the change. 
  • All Residents are required to give a 2 weeks’ notice to all employers prior to leaving.
  • Failure to comply with these guidelines will result in a fine, behavioral contract, and/or residency termination. The consequence depends on the severity of the situation.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND POLICIES
CHORE REQUIREMENTS:
Cleaning your home not only improves its cleanliness, it can also boost your mental health. Cleaning can be an outlet for energy and negative emotions too. Removing dust, dirt and clutter from your environment provides you with a cleaner, more comfortable atmosphere so you can feel happier and more relaxed. You're more likely to be able to unwind if you feel like your cleaning 'to-do' list has been ticked off. The state of your environment is generally a reflection of your mental state. There is an undeniable connection between the two.
Each Resident is required to do a proportionate share of the household chores. Similar to the house supplies’ fund, each house is expected to communicate, and the Senior Resident is to assign chores amongst themselves and their fellow Residents. Ideally, each house should be able to perform basic independent living skills with minimum micromanagement in place. The overall health of a “Home” is a direct reflection of the health of its Residents. If Residents are striving to become healthier and continue to enlarge and grow in recovery the House Manager will not need to delegate chores. However, when discrepancies occur the House Manager will assign chores weekly to each Resident. Regardless of the method each “Home” assigns chores, weekly random inspections will be done by the Executive Director, House Manager, volunteers, and Senior Residents. Failure to comply with the chore requirements will result in a fine, behavioral contract and/or residency termination. 
  1. Chores are to be kept on, but assigned chores are to be done daily  and deep cleaned the day of the House Meeting.
  2. Dishes must be cleaned immediately and not left in the sink. Residents must clean up after yourself and/or your guests.
  3. Everything that can be vacuumed must be vacuumed daily. The vacuum must be emptied after each use.
  4. Garbage cans and recycle bins must be kept clean and orderly and taken out weekly.
  5. No debris or litter should be around the outside property. Front & back porches should be clean and orderly. Ashtrays are to be emptied daily.
  6. Absolutely no trash or clothes are to be on the floor of each Resident’s room at any time. Rooms must look neat. Sheets must always be on your bed.
  7. No personal belongings are to be left in the Common Areas. Common Areas include but are not limited to the living room, kitchen, dining room, bathrooms, stairs/hallways, and laundry area. 
  8. Personal hygiene products (soap, shampoo, deodorant, etc.) must be kept in each Resident’s room, not left in shower or bathroom. Bathrooms are small and considered Common Areas. Each Resident should have their own personal container for their own items.
SMOKING AREA:
  1. Each Resident agrees that the inside of the” Home” is completely non-smoking and there are designated smoking areas outside for those who wish to smoke cigarettes. If a Resident is caught smoking in their room they will be fined and after the 5th offense their residency will be terminated. 
  2. Cigarette butts must be picked up and cannot be thrown off the porch. All Residents are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the porch and outside area. Ashtrays are to be emptied daily.
GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICY:
  • It doesn’t matter if you are a first-time Resident at The Harmony House Foundation or an experienced one; the advice we give to our Residents is to be considerate of your neighbors (the people who live upstairs, downstairs, next door, three doors down, etc.). 
  • Living with multiple neighbors is a big adjustment for those who are new to sober living, but it’s a good policy to be on good terms with all or most of the Residents in your community. Think of it as an insurance policy. The peace of mind that comes with knowing people are there for you is priceless.
  • The stress and tension that results from bad neighbor relationships can create an unhappy sober living experience for everyone. No one enjoys receiving dirty looks, snide comments or enduring other passive-aggressive and immature behavior (like blasting loud music intentionally).
  • Be a helpful neighbor and be friendly towards others. You don’t necessarily need to know them well, which can be difficult given today’s busy schedules, but a simple hello or greeting goes a long way. If you see someone who can use a hand offer to help whether it’s carrying groceries, holding open a door or closing a car trunk make yourself available, especially for seniors.
  • Be soft-spoken when entering and exiting. Walking from the parking lot to the front door takes on a new level of consideration when you’re sharing a living space with others. Avoid making undue amounts of noise, such as stomping on stairwells, especially when leaving before sunrise or coming back late at night. Remember, not all Residents work a “9-to-5” job and may be trying to sleep during “regular” daylight hours. Keep the noise at whisper-level in hallways as a courtesy to others. Do your best to keep loud laughter and conversations in check, close doors behind you with ease, and don’t let doors slam shut by themselves.
  • Be considerate of the noise level inside the “Home”. This is one of the most common complaints reported. More noise etiquette is needed if you live above or are connected to another “Home”. Try not to walk around “Homes” with adjoining floors in your shoes (put them on just before leaving the “Home” and remove them upon entering the “Home”). If a neighbor requests that you keep the noise level down, consider that you’d want them to do the same for you.
  • Be cautious with guests. Be aware that reckless behavior or disputes between your guest(s) and neighbors are the Resident’s responsibility. It’s a The Harmony House Foundation’s policy to not allow guests or any person not to be left alone in the “Home”.
    • Avoid loud get-togethers on weeknights.
    • Turn down the tv and music by 10:00 pm. x
EMERGENCY CONTACT POLICY:
All Residents are required to provide the House Manager with an emergency contact during intake.If the Resident would like to change the emergency contact information, they are to submit all changes to the House Manager. The emergency contact may be notified if in the event a Resident is:
  • absent from the “Home” longer than 48 hours and is unable to be contacted
  • admitted into a treatment facility
  • admitted into the hospital/medical emergency
  • residency is terminated
  • has been detained by legal authorities
  • is demonstrating abnormal psychological behavior 
MISC. POLICIES & PROCEDURES:
  1. Each Resident will not do any painting and/or modifications to the “Home” without prior approval from the House Manager.
  2. For the safety of each Resident, the front and back doors are to remain locked at all times and never unattended when open.
  • Resident’s cannot give out their door code to anybody, including current residents.  When a Resident moves out the door code is changed to ensure the safety of the household.
  1. No sexual relations between Residents living in the same “Home”. 
  2. Residents who are on Phase IV are permitted to install door knobs with a lock and key with prior approval from the House Manager. (At the Resident’s expense) 
  • The House Manager must have a copy of the key to the bedroom door the lock is installed on.
  • Bedrooms must remain unlocked whenever any Resident is in the “Home”, this is for safety reasons.
  • Residents are only permitted to lock their rooms when they leave the “Home”.
  1. All shoes must be taken off upon entering the “Home”. A mat or other accommodation will be provided for everyone’s shoes.
  2. The House Manager can conduct random searches of Resident’s rooms and/or belongings
  3. Residents are permitted vehicles from their move in date until the end of their stay at the “Home”. However, Residents with vehicles must park in the areas designated by the House Manager, this includes any guests’ vehicles as well.
  4. Residents are permitted cell phones and must provide the House Manager with their phone numbers for emergencies and house related notifications.
  5. Residents must notify the House Manager of any and all police contact.
  6. If Residents need a letter from the Executive Director or House Manager for any reason (probation/parole, public welfare office, child services, etc.), they must give a 1 week notice and email the Executive Director or House Manager exactly what information is needed. The email will be considered permission to release information to the requesting parties and must state so in the requesting email. All requesting emails are to be sent to: harmonyhouseluzco@gmail.com or shannonluton@harmonyhousefoundation.org.  A hard copy of the letter can be given at the next house meeting upon request otherwise it is the Resident’s responsibility to print out the letter for the party it is being requested for.

RESIDENT BILL OF RIGHTS
Admission into The Harmony House Foundation does not constitute the surrender of your rights as a human being. The Harmony House Foundation supports and protects the fundamental human, civil, constitutional and statutory rights of each Resident. We want you to be actively involved in your care, and as such, you, as the Resident, and/or your family have the right to: 
  1. Reasonable access to adequate and humane services regardless of your race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, handicap, political views, or financial status. The Harmony House Foundation does not discriminate against Residents on the basis of color, national origin, marital status or sexual preference.
  2. Communication and information regarding your stay at The Harmony House Foundation.
  3. Attention that is considerate and respects your personal value/belief system.
  4. Freedom from censorship of mail or phone calls unless detrimental to your recovery and safety of self or others.
  5. Assurance of health and safety. Emergency medical care will be accessed by using 911. The Harmony House Foundation is not responsible for any medical expenses incurred if medical attention or care is required during stay.
  6. Freedom from requirement to perform tasks that may cause injury or emotional trauma.
  7. Receive the opinion of a consultant, at your own expense
  8. Receive copy of The Resident Handbook with all attachments.
  9. Obtain fee for residency in writing.
  10. Confidentiality and privacy
  11. To express your personal values and belief systems however, these beliefs may not harm others or interfere with The Harmony House Foundation’s program course of action and primary purpose.
  12. Discharge from the program prior to commitment expiration date. Discharge will be done at your own responsibility, risk, cost and forfeiture of any deposits. If at any time you wish to leave, please discuss this decision with the House Manager so we may assist you anyway we can.
  13. Inspect own records/file with proper notice to the House Director.
  14. The right to request the correction of inaccurate, irrelevant, outdated or incomplete information from records.
  15. House Manager may temporarily remove portions of the records prior to inspection by the resident if the House Manager determines that the information may be detrimental if presented to the resident. Reasons for removing sections shall be documented and kept on file.
  16. The right to appeal a decision limited access to records
  17. To submit a grievance or complaint either orally or written through a Grievance procedure.
  18. Be treated with dignity and not be subjected to unusual punishment, humiliation, mental abuse, or punitive interference with the daily functions of living, such as eating and sleeping.
GRIEVANCE AND APPEALS PROCEDURE
  1. Residents are advised that if they have a complaint or grievance that they may appeal any part of their care by submitting it in writing to a Senior Resident of The Harmony House Foundation.
  2. Grievance issues shall include the following:
  • Timeliness of Assessment
  • Denial of Care
  • Length of Stay
  • Appropriateness of Care
  • Resident Abuse/Neglect
  • Cultural Relevance
  1. Level of Appeal
In the event that a Resident does not agree with the recommendation of the Senior Resident he can grieve his decision in writing to The Harmony House Foundation’s House Manager within ten (10) working days. A review meeting will be set up within five (5) working days from receiving a written request from the Resident. This meeting will include the Resident, the Senior Resident, and the House Manager. The case will be reviewed, and the House Manager will determine what, if any, action should be taken. The Resident will be notified of the determination within two (2) working days of this meeting. In the event that the situation is not resolved, the Resident can request a second level appeal at the next appropriate level, which is the Executive Director.
  1. All stages of grievance and appeal should be clearly and thoroughly documented in the Resident’s file.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
SHANNON LUTON
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
570-899-3134
shannonluton@harmonyhousefoundation.org

Resident Handbook Acknowledgement
The signatory of the lease is the individual The Harmony House Foundation, Inc.; for example, The Harmony House Foundation, Inc. - Main Street. The effect of this commitment by the group to the landlord is important because of the nature of The Harmony House Foundation, Inc. and the application of local landlord-tenant laws.
The Harmony House Foundation, Inc. works because an individual resident who returns to using alcohol or drugs–in or outside of the house–must be immediately expelled from the house. If the individual is a signatory to the lease the immediate eviction becomes difficult, if not impossible, because of local landlord-tenant rights. In many jurisdictions it takes up to ninety days to evict a tenant even for non-payment of rent. Since no individual is a signatory to a The Harmony House Foundation, Inc. lease, the relapsing individual who is being evicted has no legal rights to delay his or her departure. There is no way to accomplish this result without the signature on the lease being in the name of the particular The Harmony House Foundation, Inc. group.
I acknowledge that I have received, and read, my own personal copy of The Harmony House Foundation’s Resident’s Handbook.
I understand that it is my responsibility to read and understand the requirements, policies, and procedures included therein, and that my acknowledgement indicates that I agree to abide by the rules and regulations for resident behavior set forth in the Resident Handbook.
I understand that failure to follow the rules and regulations in the Resident Handbook may result in monetary fines and/or termination of my residency at the “Home” I’m residing in. In the event my residency is terminated, I understand that any fees/deposits paid to The Harmony House Foundation will be forfeited.
The parties agree that this agreement may be electronically signed.  The parties agree that the electronic signatures appearing on this agreement are the same as handwritten signatures for the purpose of validity, enforceability, and admissibility.

Name of Resident: 

Date: 
      
 Resident Signature:       


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Signature of Executive Director:    



      
            



















Hours of Operation

We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you are experiencing an emergency please call your local crisis hotline.

Contact Information

SHANNON GROSHEK
PHONE: 570-899-3134
EMAIL: shannonluton@harmonyhousefoundation.org
EMAIL: harmonyhouseluzco@gmail.com
ADDRESS: Locations vary throughout Luzerne County ,PA
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