Great Expectations Home Guidelines
Our Purpose: Great Expectations Home is made possible through God’s love to help meet your physical, emotional and spiritual needs. We firmly believe that only Jesus Christ can make a true and lasting difference in your life. We will do what we can to help you establish order in your life. It is our hope that when you leave here, you will leave with God, into a permanent and positive living situation. We pray that your stay here will be a stepping stone toward accomplishing your goals.
How GE Operates :
Great Expectations is a safe home. We will respect your privacy and ask that you do the same for each resident. You will be responsible for obeying the following guidelines. Please read this document carefully and return it completed to the office. You will be given a copy for reference in the future.
Initial here___________
There is a seven-day probation period extended for each new participant. If, in our opinion, your stay has been disruptive, due to failure to follow the guidelines, you will then be choosing not to be part of the family at Great Expectations Home.
Initial here___________
While we may provide a home for you, it is important that you understand that you do not have the right to the exclusive use of any area or room in the house. You are also advised that due to the nature of the home (it being a ministry), Great Expectations Home is not subject to the Washington State Landlord Tenant Act.
Initial here__________
Your personal discipline and responsibility is important. We expect Great Expectations to run smoothly and we do enforce the guidelines. Residents who do not live within the guidelines are issued a written warning. If attitudes or actions have not changed by the third warning, residents are by their own actions choosing not to stay at Great Expectations. The staff can ask a resident to leave prior to the third warning if the situation requires immediate attention.
Initial here__________
You will be required to pay $______per month for room and board. This is an amount that will be set by the case manager, and will take into account your personal financial situation. It will be pro-rated when you come in, and then due on the first of the month. If you choose to leave before the end of the month, you will forfeit the balance of your rent for that month. There is an additional $50.00 due each month for any children you have living with you here at the house.
Initial here_____________
You will be allowed to reside at “Great Expectations” for up to nine months after your baby is born. There will be a possible extension of three months if needed. Your rent will increase by $50.00 each month, after the nine month time period is completed.
Initial here_____________
If you plan an adoption, you will be given six-eight additional weeks to stay at “Great Expectations”. We will work with you on finding additional housing if needed.
Initial here_____________
Overnights away from the home will not exceed two nights a week, and will not be allowed without staff approval 24 hours in advance.
Initial here_____________
Cause for Immediate Removal:
• Physical or verbal abuse
• Possession of illegal drugs or alcohol; intoxication or being “high”. We reserve the right to search your belongings or room should we suspect you are using drugs. We also reserve the right to at any time do a pregnancy or drug test.
• Theft or vandalism
• Smoking
• Curfew violation or staying out all night without previous approval.
• Non payment of rent
When your stay with us ends, it is your responsibility to take all belongings at the time you move out. Great Expectations will not be responsible for anything left behind. Personal items left will be stored for two weeks and then removed.
Initial here______________
Daily Schedule:
During your stay at Great Expectations, it is important that you maintain a daily schedule. You will be expected to comply with your program set up by the staff at Great Expectations.
Initial here_______________
Church Attendance:
Church attendance is strongly encouraged, please give us the name of the church you will be attending when you move in. We can help with recommendations.
Phone Uses:
Telephone use is a privilege and not to be considered routine. Do not answer the phone in the house unless you are prepared to take a written message (pen & paper). Please do not answer the phone in the office unless you have been asked to do so by a staff member. Please limit your calls to 10 minutes. If you are on the house phone, and another call is coming in, please answer it and take a written message. You must purchase a phone card to be able to make long distance calls. Check the board beside the phone for any messages that were taken while you were out.
Initial here_______________
Chores and Laundry:
You will be assigned weekly chores that will benefit the house. You will also have a laundry day (or two) assigned to you. Please remove your clothes from the laundry room by 10:00p.m. on your assigned day. We ask that you do your part to keep the house clean and tidy.
Initial here__________
Classes or Bible studies
You may be required to attend certain classes we offer here at GE or any others we feel vital to your program.
Initial here¬¬___________
School and Job:
You will be expected either to be attending some type of schooling or find employment that follows your “Personal Program”. We can help you with online learning or information on class schedules at the local community colleges.
Initial here____________
Curfew:
Everyone must be in bed by 11:00p.m. The doors to the house will be locked at 10:00p.m. on weeknights and 10:30p.m. on the weekends for the sake of safety. If you are going to be away for the night, that will be by prior arrangement.
Initial here_______________
Counseling:
We will expect you to develop and maintain an active daily schedule while you are here. We will work with you to develop goals in the areas of housing, finances, employment and/or schooling. There will be a weekly meeting with the case manager set up by Great Expectations. You also may be required to speak with a counselor on a weekly basis if it is part of your program.
Initial here__________________
Residential Rooms:
1. Please do not trade or move furniture.
2. Rooms are expected to be clean and in order.
3. Rooms are assigned and may not be changed without permission.
4. Rooms may be changed for any reason by a staff member
5. Residents are discouraged from borrowing or loaning personal items.
We will not tolerate any negligence or careless destruction of Great Expectations property . Any obvious damage to the home could result in removal/payment of damages.
Initial here________
PERSONAL
Cleanliness: Personal hygiene is a must. Please keep yourself clean. If you need any personal items please let the staff know. Appropriate clothing is required at all times. There will be absolutely no walking around in your underwear. Please be dressed by 10 a.m.
Initial here_______________
Supply Area: Please ask if you need something from the supply area. We have some baby things and personal items that can be used. We usually have diapers/formula and wipes which you can buy at ½ price. Please do not just help yourself or we will run out of things quickly.
Initial here_______________
Illness: Inform the staff if you have any communicable diseases or body pests. This information will be kept confidential but it is for everyone’s protection.
Initial here__________________
Smoking: Absolutely no smoking. We do hope that you will want to give up smoking for the sake of your child.
Initial here__________________
Theft and Missing Items: We will not be responsible for stolen or lost articles. If you have valuables, please keep them in a safe place or take them with you when you leave the house.
Initial here________________
Visitation and Dating: No male friends are allowed in the house. Do not give Great Expectations phone number out to ANY male friends. Please inform the staff of any visitation restrictions or restraining orders.
We require you to refrain from dating while living at Great Expectations, in order to focus on issues in your life.
Initial here_____________
Medications: It is your responsibility to administer any medication as directed by your physician. The home will not be held liable for your failure to follow directions. Keep your medications safe. Please keep your file up to date with any medication changes
Initial here______________
Change of Address: Please notify all individuals or agencies of your change of address when moving in or out of this home. We will not be responsible for your mail once you have moved.
Initial here______________
Entertainment:
Television time is at the discretion of the staff and is a privilege. It may be taken away at any time. Radios must be played quietly enough so as not to disturb other residents. Music in the bedrooms must be kept low so as not to disturb anyone. No violent, sexually explicit, satanic, or perverted literature, TV or music.
Initial here__________________