One of the major concerns within the community before the Center could be built was that the residents adhere to strict guidelines, including the fact that the Center is NOT a walk-up facility. All potential residents must be referred or admitted in cooperation with law enforcement officials. These are abstracted from the BPHI Resident Handbook which is issued to each resident upon intake.

Introduction
Services Provided
Resident Rights
Confidentiality
Child Abuse and Neglect
Living in A Non-Violent Environment
Safety and Security
Alcohol and/or Illicit Drugs
Smoking Policy
Medication and Personal Valuables
Curfew
Bedtimes
Dormitories
Meals
Personal Hygiene Policy
Telephones
Laundry Facilities
Visitors
Cleaning and Chores
Discipline
Exiting the Center
Being Asked to Leave
Rules and Regulations

Broward Partnership for the Homeless, Inc. (BPHI) extends a most hearty welcome. We wish you a rewarding experience during your stay at the Broward County Central Homeless Assistance Center / Huizenga Family Campus(the Center). The staff and volunteers are deeply committed to the values that underlie all of the Center's services.

• Advocacy for the homeless
• Safe shelter, meals and basic needs
• Case management for individuals and families
• Support groups
• Substance abuse and mental health screening and referral
• Medical screening and referral
• GED,ABE,vocational classes
• Job readiness,referral

No individual shall be deprived of any right solely by reason of her/his involvement with the Center program, including but not limited to:

• The right to receive and send unsolicited mail
• The right to vote
• The right to an attorney
• The right to make and receive telephone calls

During your stay with BPHI at the center, we expect that you will follow struct confidentiality in regards to the other Residents you will be interacting with during your stay. Confidentiality means that the Resident list is not to be given out to anyone. Do not discuss the Residents with your family, friends, or co-workers. This is extremely important to maintain the safety of all Residents.

The Center, in turn, will make sure your confidentiality is also maintained. The staff, volunteers and Residents will not discuss you, your family, or any issues you disclose to anyone. What you say stays at the Center.

Your confidentiality may be broken, however if you commit a criminal offense while staying at the Center. Information may be given to the police in cooperation with a criminal investigation.

It is a State and Federal Law that the Center's employees and volunteers report all suspected child abuse and neglect to Child Protective Services. This law has been set up to protect all of the children. If one of the staff members suspects abuse and/or neglect it is the duty of the Center under the mandated reporting act to see that a report is filed. The Center will, when possible, discuss this with you before a report is filed. Please note that privileged communication under the confidentiality act does not apply in cases of child abuse and neglect.

During the stay at the center you will learn ways of living in a non-violent environment. The widespread acceptance of violence in our society has created the need for shelter. Living in a non-violent home offers much more to a family than a life of violence. All of the employees and volunteers of BPHI will assist you in developing a non-violent lifestyle.

Violent and threatening behavior will not be allowed. This includes racism, aggression, or prejudice of any form against a group or category of people based on age, race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, gender or disability.

Spanking or hitting children as a means of discipline is not acceptable. Neither are children to be shamed in front of others. Children are not allowed to hit others or engage in violent play. This includes but is not limited to: running, yelling, slapping, and fighting in the Center.

The Case Manager has information on non-violent problem solving and conflict resolution.

While staying at the Center, staff is available to admit Residents into the facility. It is important that Residents enter only through the south entrance main door. Other doors are linked to the security system at all times and an alarm will sound. The police will respond if those doors are opened. In addition to the doors, all windows are locked and an alarm will be activated if they are opened, unlocked or broken, again alerting the police. The Center does not want the police arriving at the Center for an alarm call unless there is a "true" breach in the security system.

The use and possession of alcohol and/or illicit drugs on the property is strictly prohibited. This includes the parking lot,lawn, and inside the Center. Use and/or possession of alcohol and/or drugs on facility property may be grounds for immediate dismissal from the program. Inappropriate and disruptive behavior as a result of alcohol and/or drug use is also strictly forbidden while you are involved in the Center or programs. This behavior can also result in immediate dismissal from the program. Staff is available to assist you in alcohol and drug screening and referral.

You may not smoke in the facility. Smoking is allowed in designated outside areas.

All prescription and non-prescription drugs should be turned in to a Case Manager or Resident Coordinator for safekeeping upon admission to the Center. The medical personnel on call will dispense medication as needed and usage will be documented in your file. This is requested for your protection.

All personal valuables must fit in your designated locker (assigned during intake procedure).

All weapons (guns, knives, or any other weapons) will be confiscated upon intake. Under no circumstances will Residents be allowed to possess any type of weapon inside the facility. Possession of such can be grounds for immediate dismissal from the program.

While staying at the center, you are expected to follow a nightly curfew of 8 PM. This is very important for your safety and the safety of the staff. Any conflicts with this curfew need to be discussed with your Case Manager during your initial assessment. Any short term exceptions to the curfew time must be discussed with and approved by a Case Manager and he/she will notify security with a written note stating the time of your return. If for any reason you leave the Center and do not return within 24 hours, your bed will not be kept for you.

Bedtimes are designed to assure that all Residents get the proper amount of rest and to allow an opportunity to relax and spend some energy on personal issues. The following routine is to be followed: Lights out at 10:00 p.m. (bed checks will be performed) and lights on at 6:00 a.m.,or at the discretion of the Resident Coordinator.

Everyone is expected to be up and dressed by 9:00 a.m. Your common areas are to be cleaned and beds are to be made before departure each day. Residents are not allowed back in the dormitories unless prior permission has been given. Residents are allowed back into dormitory areas at 4:00 p.m.

Meals will be served at the following times. You will be responsible for being on time and properly dressed.

All Residents are expected to bathe daily, and are issued quell shampoo and lotion to delouse themselves upon intake to the Center. Personal hygiene supplies (soap, shampoo, sanitary supplies, etc.) are available upon request. Residents are required to wear foot coverings at all times. Emergency clothing is available, please ask the Resident Coordinator.

If a call comes into the Center for you from your family, a message will be taken for you to return the call. No one is to admit knowledge of a Resident. If you are expecting a business call, please let the office staff know to ensure that you will get the message. Under no circumstances will you be directly connected to any caller. This is to protect your anonymity and for your safety.

Laundry facilities are available for your use. Please see the Resident Coordinator for supplies. All laundry is to be completed by 10PM each night. No laundry is to be left in the machines or in the laundry room overnight, nor is it to be left lying out in any of the dormitory rooms.

Because the Center cannot be responsible for screening visitors or for maintaining your safety with visitors in the Center or Center property, there will be no visitors permitted. If you wish to meet with anyone, please make arrangements off of the Center property.

All Residents are to make sure they make their beds before they leave each day. Your individual area must be kept clean at all times. The Health Department can stop in at any time for an inspection. It is important to keep the Center neat and clean for everyone's comfort.

Residents are requested to remove their towels and any personal items from the bathroom. Make sure you place your wet towel in a place where it will dry easily. To avoid shower/bathroom problems in the morning, try to bathe at night before you go to bed. This will avoid many conflicts in the morning.

Staff, Case Managers and Residential Coordinators will discuss communal living areas, menu planning and household chores with all Residents. It is very important that every effort is made to communicate your needs, observations, and opinions with the staff.

BPHI has adopted a non-violent lifestyle policy for the Center. Under no circumstances shall a Resident, staff member, or volunteer use physical acts or threats as a way of punishment or discipline. The staff is available to assist you in non-violent means of conflict resolution.

The staff asks that 24-hour notification be given before your planned departure from the Center. Exit paper work is to be complete before you leave. Please remember that you are expected to return your towels and linen clean and folded.

As mentioned previously, there are certain rules that need to be followed to provide a safe and comfortable living situation for everyone. If one person violates these rules, it can make things uncomfortable for the rest of the Residents.

If you cannot adhere to these rules, you will initially be given a verbal warning. If another infraction occurs, then you will be given a written warning; this will be included in your file with your signature. Three written warnings may result in termination from the program. In most cases, the Center will try to give you 24 hours notice before asking you to leave. However, there may be circumstances under which you may be asked to leave immediately. These guidelines and rules are set up to ensure everyone's safety and comfort.

The following is a list of actions that may result in immediate dismissal from BPHI's program:

• Stealing from the center or residents
• Using violence or threats towards others
• Not turning in your medication or weapons
• Using drugs or alcohol, on the premises, or returning to the Center under the influence
• Using the emergency exits other than for emergency purposes
• Participation in criminal behavior
• Staying out after curfew, without prior WRITTEN authorization
• Breaking other residents' confidentiality

If you break many rules on a continual basis, you will be asked to leave.

1. Curfew is 8 PM. No one will be allowed into the Center after curfew unless they have prior staff approval.
2. Violence, verbal threats or hostile gestures toward Residents, staff, or volunteers will not be tolerated. Vulgar language and verbal use will not be tolerated.
3. Alcoholic beverages or mood-altering drugs are not allowed in or on Center property. You are expected to assist staff in ensuring that others respect this rule.
4. Guns, knives, or other objects, which could be used to cause bodily harm, are not allowed in or on Center property.
5. Loitering outside the perimeters of the Center is not permitted.
6. You must keep your personal belongings safe by locking them up in the locker provided to you. Theft of a Residents belongings or Center property will not be tolerated.
7. You must meet with your Case Manager within 72 hours of admission.
8. You must have a medical check-up at the Center's Health Clinic within 72 hours of entry.
9. You agree to cooperate with the Health Clinic staff in developing and carrying out your individual health care plan.
10. You must wear appropriate clothing at all times. Shoes and shirts are required outside the sleeping areas. You must wash your clothing regularly.
11. You must shower daily.
12. You must help other Residents and staff keep the Center clean and neat.
13. You agree to perform daily Center support activities as assigned, not to exceed four hours daily.
14. Pornographic material is not allowed on Center property. Pornography includes any sexually explicit or suggestive material such as magazines, posters, videos, T-shirts, etc.
15. Sexual activity is forbidden in the Center.
16. Smoking in the Center is only allowed in designated outside areas.
17. Pets are not allowed in or on Center property.
18. No food or drink is allowed in any part of the Center except in the Kitchen or dining room, or other designated areas posted or announced by the Center.