“No Rules Policy”

1. Mid Central Community Action Inc. Countering Domestic Violence- Neville House “No Rules Policy” Senna Adjabeng, ICDVP CDV Program Manager

2. Before the No Rules Policy Strict rigid Rules: -Curfew -Chores- Chore list -Bedtime for kids -Reminders as consequences

3. Before the No Rules Policy • Controlling • Mirroring the home environment that clients were coming from • Created a difficult living environment • Difficulty maintaining consistency • Was not conducive and healthy for clients

4. Before the No Rules Policy • -Opposite of strict and rigid- Laissez-faire- Nonchalant • -Shelter got dirtier • -Did not work for communal living • Staff assumed clients had all the skills • Frustration from staff

5. Before the No Rules Policy • Focus on our philosophy and agency mission- educate, equip, and empower • Clients needed to learn choices • Experience little decision making steps • Focused on the Basic- Health and safety

6. Middle Ground The Big 5 -Confidentiality -No drugs, alcohol or weapons -Falsification of information to obtain shelter -No Stealing -No threatening behavior Every staff knows it has to be enforced

7. Middle Ground Other highlights • Security • Respect • Housekeeping • Food • Education • Self care

8. Middle Ground • Curfew • 24 hour policy • Chores • Neville Bucks- incentives

9. Middle Ground • More communication between staff and clients • Not forcing them to comply- Make them have choices • More opportunities for the clients to learn • Not assuming they know

10. Final Thoughts • It is not what you say, it is how you say it. • Teachable moments