House Rules

Isaiah House Rules July 25, 2010

Everyone must abide by these rules at all times while staying here

 Breaking any one of rules 1-4 will result in immediate dismissal

• We believe a man can remain drug free without relapse. Therefore a positive drug test or refusal to take a drug test will apply with no return allowed. If a test is disputed, any man may have his specimen sent to the lab at a cost to him of $25 for absolute test confirmation.
• Stealing inside or outside of Isaiah House.
• NO inappropriate physical contact, speech, or gestures with any females on Isaiah House premises.
• Any man leaving the property without proper permission and/or any man not returning by curfew. (Acceptable late reasons will be considered, if the director is notified before curfew)
• No refund of fees given
• No ongoing Narcotic meds allowed. All other prescription meds will be kept in the Office  and dispensed as prescribed.
• Staff hours 6am-11pm. But staff is here 24 hours/day 7 days per week
• Curfew is 11 pm, please be in your bedroom and quiet after this time.
• Only resident of Isaiah House are allowed in residency areas, unless approved by staff.
• No fighting
• NO alcohol, drugs or abuse of prescription medications
• NO tobacco use of any kind inside any Isaiah House building or vehicles.
• NO firearms or weapons of any kind are allowed on premises; all personal belongings will be searched when you arrive.
• NO offensive music allowed. Music may be restricted at the discretion of the staff.
• NO one is to leave premises without talking to a staff member about their itinerary and Listing same on the board.
• There will be no disrespect of staff or anyone staying at Isaiah House at any time.
• Eating or drinking in any of the vehicles is regulated by circumstances.
• NO meals from the kitchen are allowed in any area except kitchen, dining room, and   smoking area. Do no take food, from the kitchen, to your rooms to eat at any time. Personal non-perishable snacks and drinks are allowed and may be kept in a closed container in your room.
• Breakfast varies with work schedules – Lunch is 12:00pm to 1 pm or a sack lunch to take with you. Dinner hours vary between 6:00 to 7:00pm (except weekends)
• If necessary, kitchen facilities may require permission from staff member in the future.
• NO empty or uncovered containers in fridge (wrap, cover or put in container all open food).  All Dairy, meat and leftovers must be dated.
• Everyone will be assigned chores to help keep the facility clean & in working order.
• Everyone must brush teeth & shower daily (w/soap, shampoo & toothpaste) & the bathroom must be cleaned after each use.
• Phone in resident area is for local calls only. (No incoming or outgoing calls before 9:00am  or after 10:00pm.)  An answering machine is provided, please write down notes for your brothers. Long Distance and local calls may be made on the phone by the computer.     
• Do not answer the main phone or the front door. The front door is to be kept locked if a  staff person is not present.
• All non driving residents appointments I.e. Doctor, Lawyer, Interviews must be reported to the staff for scheduling.
• All information from your doctor must be disclosed to Director or Assistant Director. You are to list Ed Jeffery, as a person to share your medical information with, on the HEPA form at the doctors office.
•  Men are not allowed to ride in vehicles with women unless given permission by staff.
• Beds must be made neatly as soon as you get up.  No sleeping on top of blankets. Sleep on b ed sheets.
• Everyone must be modestly dressed before leaving sleeping area (shirt w/sleeves, pants).
• Sunday morning church is required. All men are to write the church you are attending and how you are getting there, on the daily board on Saturday night.
• If you require transportation outside of Ellijay (other than Blue Ridge or Jasper), you may have to pay for your own transportation (Gas price plus $.62/mile for vehicle)
• Turn off all electric & water when not in use (help us keep the overhead down).
• Sheets, blankets, clothes & towels must be washed once a week. Laundry is currently being done by each individual per the schedule posted on the laundry room door.
• On day of departure all drawers are to be cleaned out and all linens must be cleaned, folded & stored in the dresser assigned to that bed.
• The staff bedrooms are off limits. Offices are to be entered only with staff  permission and when the staff is present.    
• Don’t touch other people’s property.
• Bumming of food, money or cigarettes from other residents is not an acceptable activity.
• Do not adjust the thermostat. See the Director with concerns about the temperature.
• NO foul language or slang tolerated.
• No using the phone or texting during Isaiah House meals, during church,  or during any meetings. This includes recovery meetings in the community.
• Must have prior approval from staff before putting up anything on walls, dressers or beds.
• Transportation for non driving residents provided for work, meetings, doctor, church, social  services, and court. The hours will be between 7 am & 10 pm, Monday through Saturday.Wal Mart runs will be done 1 time on Wednesdays & 1 time on Saturdays. Only church runs will be made on Sundays.
• Shopping is a privilege. If returning from shopping and staff is suspect, you will be searched and/or drug tested.
• If you choose to leave without proper release and blessing, your personal belongings will be bagged after 3 days and placed on the back breezeway. If you leave with our blessing, your personal belongings will be bagged as above after 7 days. However, if your personal belongings are keeping another man from a bed, they will be removed when the bed is needed.
• Rules are subject to and will change from time to time. Residents will be notified, given an explanation and copy of the new rules.

 We have a 3 step discipline program as follows:

1^st discipline will be a verbal warning

2^nd discipline will be a written warning

3^rd discipline will be dismissal from Isaiah House