Instructions
Design and Implement Policies and Procedures
1. Decide whether the program will be outpatient or inpatient. Inpatient, or residential, programs have the highest success rate, but they are usually reserved for those who have failed previous outpatient treatment. In outpatient programs the client has a safe home environment and is required to attend daytime educational classes as well as one-on-one sessions with counselors who are usually professionally trained and certified. Inpatient facilities generally hire staff that have gone through the program themselves and may or may not be professionally trained. Some states require a process of certification but have pathways to "Grandfather" in those who have extensive experience.
2. Keep records. Individual client charts include treatment plans, progress notes, admission questionnaires and consent forms. They must adhere to laws pertaining to the privacy of medical records. Treatment planning is done by client and staff together to clarify long-term goals of treatment, such as "Work steps 1 through 3 with a sponsor by 30 days." Staff assists and encourages clients and stays alert to the need for case management in regard to other agencies, such as legal or social service or medical providers. Staff should tie progress notes to treatment plans.
3. Plan a curriculum. Providing extensive subjective and objective education about addictive disease will help clients break through denial. A good program can be based around 12-step meetings that are not affiliated with the program but are held on-site. Other curriculum might include group discussions, book studies, videos or speakers. Recovery planning asks the client to set short-term measurable goals for themselves; for example, "I will journal every evening."
4. Assemble Policies and Procedures. Written instructions and handouts for each group, as well as original forms belong in this notebook. Policies are guidelines that the program follows when dealing with all aspects of client recovery, such as a discharge policy that states under what circumstances a client may be asked to leave and plan discharge upon client completion of the program. Most states also have laws governing Substance Abuse Treatment Programs that should be available for quick reference.
Administration policies need to be written, such as hiring policies that may require staff members to have at least two years clean and sober. A list of emergency numbers and outside contractors should be organized and accessible. Policy and Procedure manuals need to be frequently reviewed and updated.
5. Plan for expansion. Ways to increase opportunities for clients to expand their network of support also strengthens a program. Outreach allows clients to give back and support prevention efforts. Alumni associations provide on-going support for graduates as well as a pool of those willing to help new clients.
Tags: Abuse Treatment, help clients, Policies Procedures, professionally trained, progress notes, Substance Abuse, Substance Abuse Treatment