Exit and Readmission Policies. Participants are considered to have exited the program when they voluntarily leave or are exited from the shelter for safety, continual shelter violations, or identify and move onto alternate housing options. When a participant self exits or is exited for shelter violations, the participant may be eligible for re- enrollment upon determining bed availability, eligibility consistent with the reason for exit, and expiration of days not being able to return to the Program. Each participant’s actual length of exit will depend on the severity of the infraction or safety violations. The Shelter Operator is balanced in their approach to program exits and readmission policies as it pertains to violations of the program expectations. The expectations include considerations for maintaining a safe and effective facility, safety for participants, volunteers, staff and the surrounding neighborhood. As written, they demonstrate compassion toward both homeless individuals who face increasingly vulnerable situations if forced to exit from a shelter situation to places not suitable for human habitation, as well as the community in which the program operates. Violations of these expectations are documented and tallied by use of a notice called an Action Plan. The intent of the action plan is to discuss the violation with the guest to ensure they fully understand the expectation and why their behavior was a violation. Additionally, the guest has the opportunity to create a plan to avoid further violations. For most infractions of the program expectations, staff utilizes verbal warnings and Action Plans. After five Action Plans a guest may be exited from the program. Severe infractions include open alcohol or use of drugs on a shuttle, violent attacks/fights, possession of weapons, etc. The Shelter Operator maintains a zero tolerance policy towards violence, sexual misconduct, other criminal activity, and drugs and medications used or possessed beyond the scope permitted in the program’s Health Polices. These behaviors, when substantiated, may be grounds for immediate enrollment termination upon a first offense and a minimum of 30 days out-of-program prior to readmission eligibility. Participants who use the facility, programs, and services in violation of a specific rule may be subject to consequences such as action plans or program enrollment termination. Depending on the circumstances, the consequences of these actions may also be subject to intervention by law enforcement...
Exit and Readmission Policies. Clients will be considered to have exited the program when they voluntarily leave or are exited from the shelter for safety or continual shelter violations, or find alternate housing. When a client exits of their own volition or is exited for shelter violations, the client may contact the admission hotline to screen for readmission eligibility after the time designated by staff (on average after 30 days). Length of exit for safety violations will depend on the severity of the infraction. Mercy House staff shall be balanced in their approach to program exits and readmission policies as it pertains to rules violations and infractions. Such policies should include considerations to maintain a safe and effective facility, safety for clients, volunteers, staff and the surrounding neighborhood as well as demonstrate compassion toward homeless individuals who face increasingly vulnerable situations if forced to exit from a shelter situation to places not suitable for human habitation. It is recommended that Infractions will be subdivided in a Multi‐Tiered System based on the perceived impact of the infraction. Consequences for each tier level should be fitting and just for the level of the infraction and its perceived impact on the wellbeing of stakeholders. As an example, a Tier 1 level may include “Basic Program Guideline Infractions” such as smoking in the bathrooms, not leaving sleeping area on time in the morning, cutting in line, etc. Tier 2 may include “Moderate Infractions” such as possessing marijuana or alcohol on site, client fighting (minor scuffles), disrespect toward volunteers, etc. For disobedience of rules in Tier 1 or Tier 2 there will be increasing enforcement actions including verbal warnings and write‐ups. After a compounded number of infractions in these tier levels, a client may be asked to leave and staff will determine and give them the designated time line for which they can be readmitted. Infractions at the Tier 3 level would be are “Major Infractions” that include illegal drug use or possession, violent attacks/fights, possession of weapons, etc. Mercy House maintains a zero tolerance policy towards violence, sexual misconduct, other criminal activity, and drugs and medications used or possessed beyond the scope permitted in the “Health Polices”. These behaviors, when substantiated, are punishable by immediate expulsion upon first offense and a minimum of 30 days expulsion prior to readmission. Clients who use the facility, programs, a...
