Eligibility

 This Is H.O.W. is open to all Transgender People who are in transition; homeless, coming out of prison, etc. Must have a history of substance abuse and have 30 days clean and sober.

Referral

 Residents will be referred to the program from other community-based organizations.  Referred candidates will be scheduled for a screening interview.

Screening

 The screening interview will determine eligibility for the program.
The screening will also provide the program staff with an opportunity to evaluate the candidate’s readiness to engage in this level of work.  Candidates who do not meet the criteria will be referred to more appropriate support services in the community.  Eligible candidates will be schedule for intake and assessment.

Intake and Assessment

 On their first day in the community, new residents will participate in an intake interview.  The purpose of the interview is to gather more in-depth information, introduce the resident to the community (rules, regulations values, etc.) and to conduct an assessment.  The result of the assessment will contribute to the creation of an overall Transitional Living Plan.

Transitional Living Plan

 This plan will be developed in collaboration with the program motivational counselor.  The plan identifies the resident’s short-term transitional goals and determines the milestones to reach those goals within the time allotted.  The plan focuses on concrete care issues and skills that are needed for the resident to make the transition to a more stable and healthy lifestyle.  The plan is reviewed every 30 days to ensure that the resident is on target and using her time in the program effectively.

Program Phases

 The program is designed into three distinct phases.  Each phase will have its own goals and outcomes.  This will support evaluation efforts to determine the efficacy of the groups, workshops and other activities attached to each program phase.

Phase I

 This phase represents the first 30 days in the program.  Residents in this phase are expected to adjust to the community, understand the rules and regulations that support the community and participate in the activities that support the community.

Phase II

 Program participants will continue to participate in workshops, groups and other activities consistent with their transition plan.  This phase is designed for 30 days.  At the end of this phase, residents will have all their benefits established and will have begun job seeking.

Phase III

 This phase is the graduation phase.  Residents in this phase focus on dealing with being on their own; strengthening ties in the community, relapse prevention planning, and celebrating the completion of their work.  In this phase of the program residents develop and complete their Personal Development Plans to support their first 6-12 months in the community.

Personal Development Plan

 The Personal Development plan is a long-range goal-setting tool designed to help program participants reflect on the psychosocial and emotional development, concrete care and professional development needs and set goals to help them achieve the quality of life that they want.  Getting a job, housing, etc.  is only half the battle.  The process of completing the plan will help program participants to explore and develop the emotional intelligence needed to sustain and move forward on their goals.

Aftercare

 Program graduates will be assigned to aftercare services in other community-based programs.  The goal of this approach is to support a more rapid integration of graduates in the community through providing structured environments for them to expand their peer and other community supports.  Program staff will work closing with staff in these community-based programs and will track graduates for 90 days.  After 90 days, the graduate’s case will be closed.

Psycho-educational support groups

 All residents will be expected to participate in onsite and off site groups and workshops.  However, the program staff will facilitate 4 workshops during their stay.  The workshops/groups are designed to correspond to a specific phase of treatment.

• WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) -
• Anger Management
• Cognitive Therapy
• 12 Step

Crisis Intervention

 Program staff will provide crisis intervention services to all residents as needed.

Referrals

  Program staff will help facilitate participants’ transitional goals by providing referrals to services in the community.

Individual Counseling

 All residents will participate in regular individual motivational counseling sessions with program staff.  The purpose of these sessions is to assess ambivalence and increase motivation and problem-solve to accomplish personal goals.  Participants will review their Transitional Living Plans and make changes to them as needed.

Follow-Up

 Staff will follow-up with staff in other community-based programs to ensure that residents are accessing the services they need in a timely manner.  Program staff will also follow-up on graduates who are participating in after care services at other community-based programs.

Life in Residence

 While in residence program participants will be expected to take care of all the house tasks and chores.  This includes cleaning, cooking and all other duties that are needed to maintain a clean and safe living environment. Program staff will provide support, monitor and supervise some of the residential activities.

 A typical day in residence includes:

• a) Breakfast.
• b) Outside Appointments – mental health, medical, social service, job seeking, work, etc.
• c) In-house appointments – individual counseling, referrals, crisis intervention.
• d) House chores.
• e) Dinner.
• f) Evening in-house support group/workshop.

Length of Stay

 Although the program is designed for a 90-day stay, some residents may need to stay longer than the time allotted.  Extension of stay will be determined on an individual basis but will not exceed an additional 90 days.