Palmerston Therapeutic Community (TC)INFORMATION SESSION

“NGAALA KAADITJ NOONGAR MOORT KEYEN KAADAK NIDJA BOODJA”

“I ACKNOWLEDGE THE NOONGAR PEOPLE AS THE TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS OF THE LAND”

“WE WOULD LIKE TO PAY OUR RESPECTS TO ELDERS PAST, PRESENT AND EMERGING”

Therapeutic Communities (TC)

PALMERSTON FARM TC – Perth BEELA VALLEY TC – South West

Alcohol and other drug residential TC for those who wish to address their substance use

Abstinence based – drug and alcohol free Structured community environment Self managed – ADULT program- 21yrs and over Requires full engagement in the program

Therapeutic Communities (TC)

Therapeutic Communities (TC)

TC’s encourage participants to examine their thoughts, behaviour and gain insight into their addiction.

Based on honesty, self responsibility, commitment for change, transparency and a willingness to learn

They assist in long-term recovery through peer support, social learning and mutual self-help.

Members of the community work together to promote personal growth and positive, healthy lifestyle changes.

They are group based and have a high structure treatment approach to addiction recovery

As participants progress through the stages of recovery, they assume greater personal and social responsibilities in the community

Palmerston Farm TC

Beela Valley TC

Rehabilitation process

Work program (need to be physically able to work and engage in the program)

7.30am – 11.10am Monday to Friday

Counselling Issues identified and addressed

Group education Life skills, coping strategies, relapse prevention

Community Groups, social learning, daily living

Recreation and art Group activities, exercise

Personal time Relaxation, journaling, mindfulness

Family Family counselling and support, family visits

Group work

Gardens- organic produce

Kitchen/dining- resident run following a planned weekly menu

Stages of the program Residential members having increased responsibilities, gaining privileges and status as they

move through the stages” (De Leon, 2000)

ASSESSMENT – FIRST 2 WEEKS The Settling in period - Learning about the TC and understanding how it works

STAGE ONE – 1-6 WEEKS Continue learning about the TC- Accept support and Contribute

STAGE TWO – 2-6 WEEKS Increased responsibility to Self and the Community

STAGE THREE - 3 – 6 MONTHSSenior resident- Leading member of the TC

STAGE FOUR – TRANSITIONAL Supported Accommodation whilst you engage in Work, study, volunteer

Recommended time in the program is a minimum of 3 months, however some may need more time and some less; this is dependent on each individual.

Completion of the program is also on an individual basis.

ASSESSMENT – FIRST 2 WEEKS Settling in - Learning about the TC and understanding how it works

You will be assigned a buddy (mentor) to support you in answering any questions you may have, assist you to become familiar with the TC and the program expectations

An assessment group will be held in the first two weeks to assist and support new residents

You will learn about the importance of basic nutrition/exercise/sleep for recovery

Please note in the first two weeks Attendance and full engagement is required - No phone calls are permitted in the first two weeks (except for a supervised call every 2nd night for those with children)

No visitors (Until the 2nd Sunday) Only close family members permitted to visitFormal counselling will not commence until Stage 1.

IS THIS PROGRAM FOR ME?.. IF YES APPLY FOR THE NEXT STAGE – IF NOT… WHAT IS MY EXIT PLAN?

STAGE ONE 1-6 WEEKS Continue learning about the TC- Accept support and Contribute

Structured Educational groups-such as Relapse Prevention, Communication Skills, Coping with cravings

Begin to focus on personal and community issues 1:1 Counselling sessions• Sunday Visitations- family• Personal Phone time • Develop a care plan

IS THIS PROGRAM FOR ME?.. IF YES APPLY FOR THE NEXT STAGE – IF NOT… WHAT IS MY EXIT PLAN?

STAGE TWO 2-6 WEEKS Increased responsibility to Self and the Community

Therapeutic Groups, Community involvement, Focus on personal issues Put into practice all that you have learned so far Begin to challenge and recognize behavior in yourself and your peers – respectfully

and in a safe environment Start to think about your transition from the TC out into the broader community –

A solid plan in place for when you leave Apply for Saturday day leave and begin testing yourself off the property

Shall I apply for Stage 3? This involves a panel of senior residents and staff Senior residents represent community feedback on the individuals progress

STAGE THREE 3 – 6 MONTHSSenior resident- A Leading member of the TC

Guiding member of the community Instigate change process, supports Full weekend leave Maintaining the integrity of the TC by being a role model Shall I apply for Stage 4? This involves a panel of senior residents and staff Senior residents represent community feedback on the individuals progress

STAGE FOUR – TRANSITIONAL Supported Accommodation whilst you engage in Work, study or volunteer in the communityIndependent living and modelling your own recovery, extended into the broader community

work study volunteer transition to community house Accepted through an application process Extended support Giving back to the Community and the TC – Peer support

Cohen House (on-site transitional)

Opportunity to transition to broader society with Palmerston support

Maintain a tenancy with Community Housing Ltd Work, study or volunteer with secure accommodation Support to transition to longer term, permanent housing

Transitional program - offsite

• Palmerston recognises that everyone in the family is touched in some way, when alcohol and other drug related problems arise.

• Palmerston offers support to the whole family from first contact .

• We believe that family support can be given effectively by working with the whole family together.

Family support

TC BoundariesSafety of residents and staff are our highest priority!!

No violence or intimidation towards any community member – those with anger management issues- please discuss this with your assessment officer

No Stealing or damaging of property No exclusivity with others- All residents are part of each others treatment in a TC. No gambling or gambling paraphernalia No entering restricted areas (opposite gender accommodation) No additional tattoos or piercings whilst in the program All residents must be compliant with any prescribed medication unless agreed and

documented by their treating doctor, psych or health professional. Maintain the safety of the Community at all times!

All residents will be breathalyzed and drug screened on a regular basis to ensure the safety of the community.

Show respect and consideration. The rules and boundaries are in place for a reason, these will become clear as you progress through the program.

TC BoundariesSafety of residents and staff are our highest priority!!

CURRENT SMOKING POLICY Palmerston do not condone smoking however recognize that for some they will be

especially challenged in the beginning to give up tobacco in conjunction with their addiction to alcohol and drugs .

In response, all social aspects of smoking have been removed (no sitting with coffee or socializing) and smoking is only allowed in a small designated area during certain times of the day/evening.

Support is provided to those wishing to stop. Many of our residents decide smoking is no longer needed in their lives when they are alcohol and drug free. And successfully give up whilst in the program.

Costs of the residential program CENTRELINK RECIPIENTS $420 per fortnight– New start, Disability $310 per fortnight– Youth Allowance Rent Assistance available if no mortgage (apply on arrival) We have EFTPOS - All payments can be direct debited

SELF FUNDED $420 per fortnight- Payment can be made through EFTPOS, cash or bank transfer/ direct Debit

FIRST PAYMENT FOR ALL NEW RESIDENTS We can accommodate your entry date on the day you get paid One off Room bond $50 (Refundable on departure) Ambulance Cover – 1 year with BUPA $56.30 (If you have cover then this will not apply) 2 weeks fortnightly board in advance- $420 TOTAL: $526.30

The first payment will cover your board for the next fortnight on entry. Payment will then be set at $420 per fortnight from then on. All residents are required to be a fortnight in advance with their board and lodgings.

MedicationALL MEDICATION PRESCRIBED BY YOUR TREATING DOCTOR MUST BE FORMALLY DOCUMENTED IN WRITING. PERMITTED- Anti-depressants SRI’s, Anti- psychotics, Depot injections, certain

health medication, Naltrexone, Insulin NOT PERMITTED – Benzodiazepine's (Valium, temazepam), Dexamphetamine,

Ritalin, Codeine or Opiate based medications (Please discuss your medications with your assessment officer for further clarity)

THE TC PROGRAM IS NOT SUITABLE FOR: Those with serious health issues or who will physically struggle to engage in the work

program. The facilities do not have medical staff and are unable to manage certain medical conditions eg. those with high stroke risk., high risk heart conditions or physical disability which may have high risk of falls.

Residents are required to be reasonably stable with their mental health. For those at high suicide risk, experiencing psychosis/ paranoia or are struggling with emotional regulation or instability. The TC at this time would not be beneficial for them.

In the safety interests of our residents, staff and their families- anyone with a history ofserious violent offending,, arson or sex offences do not meet the scope of our acceptability criteria – we are able to refer you to another program.

Required detox prior to entry All clients must be safely detoxed before entering the TC. We can discuss your options for detox when preparing you for residential

rehabilitation – please do not self detox as doing so may place you at serious risk of seizures.

When a bed becomes available for you at the TC, we can refer you to complete a medical detox if required and organise a direct transfer into the program afterwards to minimise your risk of relapse.

Booking a phone assessmentWe have three locations- choose the one closest to the area you live in: Perth Metropolitan Area/ North of WA through to Kimberley's (08) 9328-7355 Mandurah/ Rockingham/ Kwinana (08) 9581- 4010 Bunbury/ South West of WA (08) 6724-6900

You will need to specify that you would like to book a phone assessment to apply for residential rehabilitation.

An assessment officer will then book you in at an agreed date and time. If the Assessment team find you suitable for the program you will be placed in a wait

pool.

Regarding the pandemic: We are currently keeping admissions open to our TC’s however all clients will be required

to come from an approved service – in which they have medical facilities to screen client health to minimise risk to the community– please speak to your assessment officer for clarification.

PHONE COUNSELLING, ONLINE SMART GROUPS, FAMILY PHONE COUNSELLING, SKYPE AND WEEKLY PHONE CHECK-INS ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL CLIENTS WHO REQUIRE SUPPORT AT THIS TIME OR ARE WAITING FOR ENTRY TO OUR REHABILIATION SERVICES.

Yarning Circle