Exit and Readmission Policies. Clients will be considered to have exited the program when they voluntarily leave or are exited from the shelter for violations pertaining to safety or repeated shelter violations. The Shelter Operator, City of Costa Mesa and City of Newport Beach staff should be balanced in their approach to program exits and readmission policies, as it pertains to rule violations and infractions. Such policies 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. Shelter staff will keep logs of “excused” versus “unexcused” absences to avoid unnecessary exits. Only Navigators and/or Neighborhood Improvement Manager, and/or her designee can approve excused absences. These excused absences will be promptly reported to shelter staff so that they are notated in appropriate logs. Infractions will be subdivided in a multi-tiered system based on the severity/impact of the infraction on the program and other residents. Consequences for each tier level shall be fitting for the level of the infraction and its impact on the program. 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 alcohol on site, marijuana, client fighting (minor scuffles), disrespect toward volunteers, etc. Once individuals have been admitted to the shelter, if they are found with Tier 2 infractions such as either marijuana or alcohol on their person, these substances are considered more minor offenses and the guest will be given an action plan. The consequences depend on individualized circumstances. Three action plans of the same offense result in an immediate exit. Safety related violations, considered Tier 3, will constitute an immediate exit. For noncompliance of rules in Tier 1 and Tier 2 levels, 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 considered “major infractions” t...
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...
