Chapin Street Project Admissions

Individuals seeking admission to Transitional Housing must meet the following criteria:

• Age 17 or older
• First be detoxified and chemical-free (detoxification services are available)
• Be free of warrants for their arrest
• Be capable of independent living
• Be motivated and willing to participate in program
• Not be on any Public Sex Offender Registry
• Be willing to stay a minimum of three to six months

Application Process

1. Individuals seeking transitional housing are expected to complete a Dawn Farm Transitional Housing Application (available online at http://www.dawnfarm.org ) Paper applications are available upon request for clients that do not have computer access. Paper applications can be returned to Spera staff.
2. Once the application is submitted, it is reviewed by Dawn Farm Intake Team (DFIT) and, if deemed appropriate, the person is placed on the Transitional Housing waiting list and contacted for a screening. Several factors are taken into consideration during the screening such as:

a. In need of immediate detoxification. Clients in need of detox will be referred to Spera prior to complete treatment before becoming eligible for Transitional Housing.

b. Open warrants. If a client has open warrants or thinks they may have other legal barriers, advise them that failure to acknowledge such may result in discharge from housing. Clients may be expected to create a plan to address legal barriers prior to entering housing. Offer to assist them if they are fearful of dealing with unresolved legal problems.

c. Be capable of independent living. Transitional Housing provides limited supervision and no clinical or professional support services. If a client appears to have physical, emotional, cognitive or psychiatric problems that might prevent them from succeeding in our low-structure environment, the House Manager should work with Housing Coordinator and Clinical staff to find a more suitable referral.

d. External motivation only. Individuals who are seeking admission at Dawn Farm solely to appease family or the courts seldom stay more than a few days. It is recommended that these factors are explored with the prospective resident and wait until the client is ready to make the considerable commitment expected of a Dawn Farm candidate.

Additionally, the following criteria is used for the Dawn Farm waitlist:

• Dawn Farm Residential clients will be given top priority.
• Washtenaw County residents will be given next priority.
• Washtenaw County individuals who are chronically homeless will be considered before those who have a safe place to stay.
• Individuals who are staying in some sort of shelter and the shelter is deemed unsafe, would be considered before those who are staying in a safe place.

Once on the waiting list, the applicant is expected to contact Dawn Farm Intake Team weekly to keep his/her name on the waiting list. While on the waiting list, potential clients are expected to attend a Dawn Farm Transitional Housing Info Session. As beds in Transitional Housing become available, DFIT will call the client and provide them with contact information for their House Manager to set up their intake date and time, as well as review program fees and rules.

For those prospective residents who did not come into Transitional Housing directly from Dawn Farm Spera or Dawn Farm Residential facilities, a drug test should be administered before being accepted into program.

Please note that an interview does not guarantee a bed.

A FINAL NOTE:

It is especially important during the first few hours of a new residents’ stay that they receive a message of warmth and compassion from the House Manager and other residents. Despite the possible tough or aggressive defenses wielded by an addict or alcoholic, their overwhelming feeling is most often fear. Few new admissions have entered Dawn Farm Chapin Street Project without a good deal of terror. It is our responsibility to face each client's fear with honest caring and confidence in their ability to succeed in their recovery. Our early expectations can ultimately make a huge difference in the potential success of our clients.