1. Program Fee: The program fee is $650 per month. Payment of the program fee is due by the 5th of the month. After the 5th, there is a late fee of $5 per day.
Any failure by participant to pay fees when due, or failure to comply with any other of the conditions of this agreement allows Blue Water Retreat to immediately void this agreement. Any infraction of the program rules may result in the immediate termination of the program agreement and expulsion from the house, and forfeiture of any program fees.
Any failure by participant to pay fees when due, or failure to comply with any other of the conditions of this agreement allows Blue Water Retreat to immediately void this agreement. Any infraction of the program rules may result in the immediate termination of the program agreement and expulsion from the house, and forfeiture of any program fees.
A 30-day written notice to vacate is required from participant.
2. Sobriety Deposit: Participant will be required to pay a $500 sobriety and damage deposit. Sobriety deposits will be returned to participant upon successful completion of the program.
Participants that violate sobriety rules will forfeit their sobriety deposits and may be subject to expulsion from the house.
3. Curfew: All participants who are working will be expected to return to the house by 10:00 p.m. every night. Participants need specific permission to leave any earlier than 5:00 am or work later than 10:00 p.m. Curfews are designed to help our participants change behaviors and learn new skills.
4. Medication: Our sober house does not dispense medication. Our policy prohibits taking mood-altering medications including but not limited to; scheduled drugs, controlled substances, or narcotic medications; however, we understand that circumstances may arise that require such medications. Should this occur, participants may be discharged with a full explanation to any supervisory agency. Any participant sharing or receiving medication will be terminated without question. All medications are subject to accountability check(s) by staff or managers. Participants that are found to be abusing medications such as, ingesting dosages other than what is written on the prescription label will be discharged. New prescribed medications must be disclosed to the manager immediately.
5. Drug and Alcohol Use: Participation is made available on the strict understanding that the house is to be, at all times, drug, and alcohol free. If a participant uses any illicit drug, consumes alcohol, or ingests prohibited prescription drugs, the participant will be discharged immediately from the program. In addition, guests or visitors of a participant who are under the influence of any type of mind-altering substances are not permitted, at any time, in the house or on the grounds. Protecting and/or knowing a fellow participant is drinking or using may be cause for immediate dismissal. Reporting all suspicions to the manager is an expectation of every participant. Clients can be asked to perform a drug screen/toxicology test or breathalyzed at any time for any reason.
6. House Liability: Blue Water Retreat is not liable for any personal property during or after the participant's discharge from the house. Blue Water Retreat will dispose of all personal property 60 days after discharge. Blue Water Retreat assumes no responsibility for the personal property of the participant.
7. Payment Plans: Payment plans will be written for all participants that are $200.00 or more in arrears in program fees/rent. They will be written by the Finance Manager and client together. Once the participant agrees to plan and signs the document, the document will be enforced. Participants in arrears will be required to provide all pay stubs from their employer.
8. No loud music: Only headphone type radios allowed. Loud and excessive noise disturbs other participants and will not be tolerated. The TV s will only be played at reasonable volume levels and violation of these rules will be considered disruptive behavior.
9. Without manager’s written permission, no participant will: install paneling, flooring, built in decorations, partitions or railings. Drill or attach anything to the floors, walls, or ceiling of the house, bring in any dish washing, heating, ventilating, air conditioning units, or any water filled furniture. All personal property not belonging to Blue Water Retreat is subject to insurance at participant's expense; hang any shades, blinds and/or window guards in or outside of the premises, Permit the accumulation of garbage or recycle in the facility or move any furniture unless for cleaning purposes.
10. Visitation: No visitors are allowed, except for same sex sponsors/spiritual advisors. Opposite sex visitors and others are only allowed at the property if they are family members and for a maximum of one hour (subject to manager approval). Supervised children are allowed on site for no more than 6 hours and may be asked to leave if there are reports of disruption(s). Covid policies for visitation are under Blue Water Retreat’s discretion.
11. Intimidation and/or violence: Any open or subtle hints of intimidation, violence or profanity towards participants or staff are grounds for immediate termination.
12. No smoking in the house: Smoking in designated areas only, must be 10 feet away from any structure.
13. No sexual activity: Not on the property.
14. Housekeeping: Each participant is responsible for washing dishes immediately after eating. Sleeping areas are to be clean at all times. Participants are responsible for cleaning all community living areas. Participant will keep the premises clean at all times, and upon termination will leave the premises in as good of a condition. All participants are assigned and will perform weekly house chores.
15. Excessive Utilities: Be aware of abusing free utilities. Turn off all lights in rooms not being used. Washers and dryers are available for your use on designated days. Blue Water Retreat will pay all water, gas, heat, light, local telephone service, cable, and power to the house. The last person out of the house should turn off all lights. Participants are not allowed to have hot plates, heaters, air conditioners, microwaves, small appliances, or large appliances in participant rooms without manager approval.
16.Out of Bounds: Participants may not enter another person's room. Participant may only enter the bedroom they are assigned.
17. No Food Areas: Food will be eaten in the dining and living area only. No food in bedrooms.
18. Passes: Participant shall be eligible to apply for an overnight off campus stay after 90 days. Participant must be in good standing and must be actively working to have this privilege considered. No longer than 72 hours, or to be congruent through the Sunday House Meeting.
19. Work: Within 30 days, all participants are required to volunteer, be enrolled in, and attending school, or work at least 20 hours per week.
20. Sleeping: All participants must be awake, dressed, with areas cleaned by 9:00 am on weekdays. Participants will not sleep in the living room. Lights should be out by midnight on weeknights.
21. House Activities: All participants will participate in any house activities, including business meetings, group sessions, and weekly housekeeping duties. Additional activities, such as speaker meetings, occupational groups and/or housing network meetings. Mandatory workdays for all participants may be assigned for cleaning duties each month if the house becomes unsanitary.
22. Mandatory House Meeting Attendance: All participants must attend weekly house meetings. This is an important meeting for all participants to attend, unless prior arrangement with management has been made. If participants are unable to attend, they must call/text to check in with the manager within 24 hours of the house meeting.
23. Sober Support Meeting Attendance: All participants are encouraged to attend three outside published 12 step meetings per week. The meeting attendance slips are to be turned in to the manager prior to weekly house meetings.
24. Loitering: Loitering in cars by visitors and/or participants outside the facility is not permitted at any time and could be construed as mischievous behavior resulting in discharge.
25. Sponsorship: All participants will be required to obtain a 12-step sponsor/mentor within 14 days of program participation. Participant will provide their sponsor name and contact information to Blue Water Retreat.
26. Outpatient Treatment Programs: All participants must attend all court, parole/probation, social services referred treatment plans. Furthermore, clients must follow all discharge recommendations from their treatment programs. Blue Water Retreat may request that participants provide discharge/assessment documentation. Clients enrolled in Outpatient Programs must attend all groups.
27. Dress Code: All participants must be properly attired in the community areas.
28. Pornography: No pornography and sexual aides in the facility.
29. No pets: Participants are not permitted to have any pets on the property. Management and house representatives are permitted to bring and keep dogs on the premises. Reference ‘Hold Harmless Addendum’ for details.
30. Weapons: No weapons of any kind are allowed on property, including but not limited to knifes, guns, tasers, mace, stun guns, etc. If you cannot bring it on an airplane, it cannot be brought into the house. Management reserves the right to classify objects as weapons and remove them from the house. The safety of all participants must be ensured at all times and participants found to be in violation of this clause are subject to immediate expulsion from the house.
Weapons violations are subject to law enforcement reporting.
31. Notice to vacate: A written thirty (30) day notice of intention to discontinue participation is requested from all participants. Failure to provide notice will result in forfeiture of deposit.
32. Grievance: If a participant feels that another participant is not doing their share of the chores, or has any other grievances towards another participant, they may call a meeting with the manager with all participants to discuss the grievance. If a participant’s action or behavior is found unsatisfactory by a majority of the participants at such meeting, the participant will be given the opportunity and reasonable time to change their behavior. If, after two such meetings, the offending participant fails to make the necessary changes, the manager will be advised, and subject to his discretion, may terminate the program agreement. Complaints; ombudsman for mental health and developmental disabilities. Any complaints about a sober home may be made to and reviewed or investigated by the ombudsman for mental health and development disabilities, pursuant to sections 245.91 and 245.94 Subd.4.
33. Vehicles: To operate and/or park a motor vehicle while residing at the facility, a valid driver's license, proof of insurance and registration are required. Copies need to be in file at the main office. The vehicle may be towed at your expense. If you own a vehicle and can't legally drive it, park it elsewhere.
34. Room inspections: Room inspections may be carried out at any time by Management. Staff may search participant rooms at any time.
35. Theft: Any instances of stealing will result in immediate expulsion and be forwarded to police who will make a decision on charges and prosecution. This includes stealing from other peers, taking items from the house/property. i.e. pillows and linens, that are not yours, and taking food with you that is not yours.
36. Bar/Casino Restriction: Clients are not allowed to go to casinos at any time or for any reason. Clients are not allowed to go to a bar unless it is also an eating establishment, and they are there to eat a meal.
37. Reporting Income: If a client is being funded by the Housing Support Fund (GRH), and you are working, said client has 10 days from the day of receiving income by law to report any income to their financial worker at the county. This pertains to people working for cash or check, as well as people receiving a paycheck from a company. If the client does not report their income, they are subject to discharge and staff will report them to their financial worker.
38. Transportation: Clients are highly recommended to provide their own transportation. Blue Water Retreat will assist clients with transportation needs, but cannot guarantee availability of transportation. Please contact management in advance to discuss transportation needs.
39. House Security and Surveillance: Common areas and exterior of the house are under 24-hour surveillance. Tampering with and/or disabling of cameras are not permitted. Violation of this clause will result in immediate discharge from the program and loss of sobriety deposit.
40. Move-In Limit of Personal Property: Personal Property must be limited in size to TWO 27-gallon Totes. Any additional personal items must be stored off property.
41. Consequences: The staff of Blue Water Retreat reserves the right to enforce the following consequences for infractions of any, or all, of the above house policies. The consequences may include extra chores, behavioral contract, restriction to the house, no passes, loss of sobriety deposit or discharge from the program.
Bill of rights.
An individual living in a sober home has the right to:
(1) have access to an environment that supports recovery;
(2) have access to an environment that is safe and free from alcohol and other illicit drugs or substances;
(3) be free from physical and verbal abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, and all forms of maltreatment covered under the Vulnerable Adults Act, sections 626.557 to 626.5572;
(4) be treated with dignity and respect and to have personal property treated with respect;
(5) have personal, financial, and medical information kept private and to be advised of the sober home's policies and procedures regarding disclosure of such information;
(6) access, while living in the residence, to other community-based support services as needed;
(7) be referred to appropriate services upon leaving the residence, if necessary;
(8) retain personal property that does not jeopardize safety or health;
(9) assert these rights personally or have them asserted by the individual's representative or by anyone on behalf of the individual without retaliation;
(10) be provided with the name, address, and telephone number of the ombudsman for mental health, substance use disorder, and developmental disabilities and information about the right to file a complaint;
(11) be fully informed of these rights and responsibilities, as well as program policies and procedures;
(12) not be required to perform services for the residence that are not included in the usual expectations for all participants;
(13) Client belongings will be kept for 60 days. (Clients must make an appointment to get their items and will be required to fill out an inventory sheet prior to leaving the house).
