Sharpen Recovery Program Values:

• Treat Disease

• Consider Christ

• Sharpen Together

• Hope for More

Recovery Meetings

• Weekly attendance to recovery meetings is required. You are responsible for attending a minimum of THREE recovery meetings a week while employed full-time or part-time. While unemployed or on disability/SSI, you are responsible for attending FIVE recovery meetings a week (Note: In-Person Church attendance may count for one recovery meeting while unemployed or on disability/SSI). Meeting requirements may be different for certain individuals in some cases. Truthfully, we do not want participants who are unwilling to go to at least three weekly meetings. We highly recommend attending meetings daily.

• Proof of attendance will be captured on a Meeting Attendance Sheet. (see Addendum A) Once completed, the Weekly Attendance Sheet is to be given to your Peer Coordinator EACH WEEK by end of day Saturday. (Note: A week is Sunday through Saturday) It is your responsibility to do this, not the responsibility of your Peer Coordinator to ask for it. If proof is not submitted each week, then your attendance will be marked not met. If recovery meeting requirements are not met or proof is not given to the Peer Coordinator, a write-up will be issued. For more information on the consequences of a Write Up, refer to the Sharpen Recovery Policy & Procedures.

• You must find a 12-Step Program sponsor within the first TWO WEEKS at Sharpen Recovery and provide your 12-Step sponsor’s contact information (name/phone number) to your Peer Coordinator. You must be making progress in your recovery program (e.g. consistently attending 12-step meeting, progressing in the Sharpen Stages, etc.)

• You will be responsible for arranging your own transportation to and from recovery meetings.  Sharpen does not provide transportation services to recovery meetings.  “If a unique circumstance arises and Sharpen does assist with arranging transportation, Sharpen does not assume any liability as a result.]   

Employment

• Participants are expected to obtain employment within 30 DAYS of arriving at Sharpen Recovery. Please get with your Peer Coordinator and Program Manager if you’d like assistance finding a job. 

• Participants who are unemployed are required to be out of the house from 9:00am - 5:00pm actively seeking employment.

• While seeking employment, participants will check in with their Peer Coordinator daily with a progress report on employment. Participants may be asked to turn in a Job Search Activity Log (see Addendum B). We require participants to show progress by submitting applications to a minimum of 10 employers per week until employed. 

• If employment is not secured in 30 DAYS, the Program Manager has the discretion to  placed you on a 2 week probation period. If effort is not being made to find employment and a Job Search Activity Log is not provided, you may be discharged from the Sharpen Recovery program.

• Send a copy of your work schedule to the Peer Coordinator each week. You only need to send it once if it remains the same (text, email or print).

• Once employment is obtained, participants may not resign a job without first having another job. Resigning from a job before having another job may result in a write-up.

Program Fees

• Program fees for Sharpen Recovery are between $595 - $695/month or $148.75 - $173.75/week in program fees, depending on location. The program fees includes a peer lead program where communal living and an outlined schedule of activities are expected from participants weekly. We may require bi-weekly, monthly or other frequency of payment, depending on your situation. 

• Your first program fee payment is due on your MOVE-IN DAY at Sharpen and on the first of the month in the following months. You will receive an electronic invoice both via text and e-mail.  You can elect to pay your fee electronically by clicking on the provided link. 

• If you are approved to enter the program on a temporary, short-term scholarship, you will sign a Financial Agreement which outlines a date your first payment is due and the amount owed.

• Each participant’s circumstances determine their financial responsibilities and are considered personal and private.

• Program fees must be paid electronically via the QuickBooks invoice link. Payment options include ACH, Debit and Credit Card.

• No portion of a paid program fee will be reimbursed if you are discharged or choose to leave during the month due to relapse or for any other reason.

• If you receive a key to the house, you may not have your key duplicated or give your key to anyone else. Doing so may result in being discharged from the program. If you lose your key, inform the Peer Coordinator for a replacement. There may be a reasonable replacement fee. 

Cleanliness

• Sharpen Recovery is our house for the time-being. Keep the house neat and clean as part of healthy stewardship.

• You must fully unpack and organize your room as soon as possible once you move in.

• Keep common areas clean at all times.

• You are responsible for making your bed every morning.

• You are responsible for completing the chore(s) assigned to you, but you are also responsible for cleaning up after yourself. (Ex: If you cook, you do your own dishes. Please do not leave them for the participant with the kitchen chore to do it for you. If you see the trash is full, please put it out to avoid overflowing.)

• Unemployed participants may be expected to complete any chores that are unassigned. Peer Coordinator will assign this for you, if applicable. 

• Chores and bedrooms are checked each week by staff.

• Due to insects, NO FOOD IS ALLOWED IN THE BEDROOMS (including unopened, packaged food) except when a participant is quarantined due to illness. All food is to be kept in assigned storage areas and/or labeled in the fridge/freezer.

• Routine maintenance checks will be done by Sharpen Recovery Staff to inspect for organization, deep-cleaning and maintenance needs.

• Your clothing should not exceed approximately two suitcases of clothing. All clothing items are to be contained in your assigned dresser, designated closet and/or other storage space in your room. If you have too much stuff, we may ask you to store it elsewhere or consider donating.

• You must provide your own hangers, hampers, boxes/plastic tubs.

• Place your personal trash in a trash bag/plastic bag and take it to the outside trash instead of placing it in the kitchen trash.

• Whatever personal items you bring into the house MUST be taken with you when you move out. Anything left in a Sharpen Recovery residence after you move out will be donated to charity or used for our program. Sharpen Recovery is not responsible for any items you bring into the house (lost/damaged/stolen). 

• It is our recommendation that you do not loan money or material possessions to fellow participants. 

• Leave the rooms decorated as they are (no décor trading is allowed). Additional decorations including, but not limited to, art/pictures/mirrors/posters are only allowed to be hung/stuck/nailed to the wall if permission is given by Program Manager.

• Immediately report any maintenance needs to the Peer Coordinator or Program Manager.

• Only toilet paper is to be flushed down the toilets. NO SANITARY ITEMS are to be flushed. If a location has issues with this, the participant(s) may be asked to pay for the plumbing costs.

• NO pets are allowed in the recovery house or anywhere on the premise. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Entertainment

• Any material with sexual content and/or that objectifies women or men in any form will NOT be allowed in the house. 

• Media that glorifies drugs/alcohol may be prohibited as well.

• You may be asked to turn off a video/movie at any time if the content is deemed inappropriate by the Peer Coordinator and/or Sharpen Recovery Staff.

Dating

Expect the Peer Coordinator and Program Manager to be interested in your dating life. They will ask questions to help you transition into and/or maintain a dating relationship as it relates to securing long-term sobriety.

• It is prohibited to be in a romantic relationship with another Sharpen Participant.

• Disclose to the Peer Coordinator and Program Manager any romantic relationship(s) currently and if you enter into any during your stay at Sharpen Recovery.

• Your time at Sharpen Recovery should be focused on your individual development and growth.

• Abstaining temporarily from dating may be beneficial and may be required for some participants, depending on particular situations.

• Temporary or permanent communication and/or dating restrictions may be established by the Peer Coordinator and Program Manager during your time at Sharpen Recovery.

• Failure to adhere to dating guidelines set by the Sharpen Recovery Staff may result in being discharged from Sharpen Recovery’s program. 

Food

• You must provide your own food. Let your Peer Coordinator or Program Manager know if you are in need of food at any time. 

• You must apply for food stamps promptly, and withing the first week if you are in need of food. Please let your Peer Coordinator know if we can help provide paperwork to assist you.

• You must store your food in the designated food storage area, only. 

• You may not eat any other participant’s food without their permission prior to consumption. 

• You are encouraged to team up with other participants for food costs and preparation. 

Any absences from the required Program events must be reported to the Program Manager before the event occurs.

• House meetings each week are on Sunday evening and MANDATORY for all participants. Please let employers know you cannot work on Sunday evenings.

• If unemployed, the Sharpen Event is MANDATORY. If employed, the Sharpen Event is MANDATORY unless at work or IOP.

• I understand that anything said in any group meeting at Sharpen Recovery will be kept in the strictest of confidence and not be discussed with anyone outside of the organization. Sharing with people outside the house is not acceptable and could result in being discharged from the Sharpen Recovery Program.

• We highly recommend you attend a Christian Church service at least once per week. Examples: Sunday church service or mid-week house church.

• For unemployed participants, church attendance may count towards their required recovery meetings.

• Recovery meetings attendance – see the above section on this topic.

Conflict Resolution

Because conflict is a part of life, the Peer Coordinator or Program Manager will walk participants through healthy conflict resolution when necessary.

If you have a conflict with another participant(s) or Sharpen Recovery Staff member:

1. Address the matter of conflict with the other person(s) in a mature way.

2. If the issue is with another participant(s) and is not resolved, request a meeting with the Peer Coordinator.

3. If the issue is with the Peer Coordinator or is not resolved through talking with Peer Coordinator, you can request a meeting with the Program Manager.

Personal Conduct

There will be no tolerance for physical or verbal abuse, intimidation of others, alcohol or drug use, sexual activity, pornography, gossip, or stealing.

There will be no tolerance for bringing anyone to the house without permission, especially members of the opposite sex. Proof of this will result in your being discharged.

Personal Conduct Continued

• Failure to comply with taking a drug/alcohol test is considered a dirty UA, and you will be discharged from Sharpen Recovery’s program. 

• Curfew is 9PM Central Time (CT) Monday-Thursday evening and 10PM CT on Friday-Sunday. Work or recovery meetings are often approved with permission from the Peer Coordinator and Sharpen Recovery Staff PRIOR.

• If attending a meeting that will end after curfew, you may be required to have a buddy accompany you. 

• Observe quiet hours from 10:30PM CT thru 8 AM CT in respect of other participants’ work hours.

• Sharpen wants the house to be a peaceful and uplifting place to work out your recovery. We show respect to all who are in the house. Negative behavior and chronic complaining will not be tolerated. 

• You may not switch rooms unless authorized by the Program Manager and Peer Coordinator.

• Keep items within personally assigned areas in the kitchen — respecting other participants’ space.

• Smoking tobacco is permitted in authorized areas OUTSIDE of Sharpen Recovery houses. If smoking areas are not kept clean, smoking privileges on the property will be revoked for a time; possibly permanently.

• Vaping is allowed inside the house. (this is under review and debate)

• Prescription marijuana is considered a controlled substance and has a potential for abuse. Marijuana is not accepted on the premises and a participant will be discharged immediately if found either on the person or within personal belongings. Participant will be immediately discharged should the urine analysis test prove positive for marijuana use of any kind. 

• No Kratom and no CBD oil is allowed.

Participant Correction (Write Ups)

There are times when the staff of Sharpen Recovery must direct a participant through the act of correction.

If an issue arises the staff may sit down with a participant talk through the issue and outline the steps for correction. Depending on the issue the Peer Coordinator may utilize the Participant Write Up form (See Addendum C) to document the issue.

If written, the participant will be required to sign the written correction and the expectation is that resolution will be reached. If THREE Write Ups are given, the participant may be discharged from the Sharpen Recovery program. The timeframe for discharge will be dependent upon the severity of the situation.

There are times when steps to correction are superseded by immediate discharge, as mentioned in this document. If necessary, the police enforcement may be called if the circumstances escalate and warrant this intervention- the participant accepts the consequences of this possibility.

In the event of a discharge, the participant will have one hour to pack and leave. In volatile situations, the participant may be asked to leave the property immediately and staff will pack their belongings. Personal property left behind over two weeks will be disposed of by Sharpen Recovery. You must schedule a time with the Peer Coordinator to pick up the remaining items if you left things behind. 

Sharpen Recovery Staff has the right to ask you to leave and discharge you from the program immediately for any reason. 

Personal Appearance

• Maintain good hygiene and self-care by showering/bathing regularly.

• Do not wear any article of clothing that displays vulgar and/or suggestive language or pictures, or that is gang-related.

• You may be asked to change at any time if violating dress code or deemed necessary by a Peer Coordinator and/or Sharpen Staff.

• Modest dress and appearance is the standard at Sharpen Recovery.

• Honor the “three b’s: no boobs, no butt, no belly” showing/hanging out.

Safety

Sharpen Recovery is concerned about each participant’s safety.

• KEEP THE HOME ADDRESS CONFIDENTIAL!  Women, if you give out the address to a male for any reason, you will be discharged immediately. If a male is picking you up, you must meet them at the nearest bus stop or somewhere down the street.

• Do NOT give a key or your personal door code for any door to anyone. Return your key on day of move-out, if you received one. 

• Keep the Sharpen Recovery house doors locked and your key on you.

• Never search through another participant’s personal belongings. 

• Only the Peer Coordinator and Sharpen Recovery Staff may search a participant’s room or belongings.

• Do not allow guests in bedrooms. Sharpen Recovery is not responsible for stolen property. 

• NO fire-arms or weapons of any kind are permitted anywhere on Sharpen Recovery premises. NO EXCUSES OR EXCEPTIONS.

• Each participant will sign a personal release for denial or acceptance of photo/video usage. (See Addendum D)

Cellphone Policies

• Keep your phone on your person/charged/location services on/be available to be reached by phone AT ALL TIMES.

• Respond respectfully to all texts or Slack messages by Peer Coordinator, Program Manager and Sharpen Recovery Staff. 

• Participate in Sharpen Recovery group messages.

• You must have a working cell phone within 7 days of your move-in date. Until you do have a cell phone, you will be on the buddy system and cannot leave the house without another participant. Download the Life360 app and keep it installed on your phone for the duration of your time at Sharpen Recovery. Caution: If you delete the app, use energy saver mode, turn off wifi or cellular data, pause your location, turn on airplane mode, change your phone settings or modes, etc. this may compromise the app’s tracking ability. If you go offline, you may be discharged from Sharpen Recovery.

Mail

Participants may use the physical address as their mailing address while a participant in Sharpen Recovery’s Program. 

• Each participant is responsible for forwarding his/her own mail after leaving Sharpen Recovery. 

• After a participant has left Sharpen Recovery,  all mail will be held for TWO WEEKS from the date he/she left Sharpen Recovery. After those two weeks, all mail from the former Sharpen Recovery Participant will be discarded. 

• Former Sharpen Recovery Participants must schedule a time with the Peer Coordinator to collect their mail and any other items within the two week period. Former participants are responsible for picking up their own mail and personal belongings.

• Former Sharpen Recovery Participants may not show up to a Sharpen Recovery residence unannounced, without permission from the Peer Coordinator PRIOR.

Prescription Drugs Sharpen Recovery supports individuals in recovery. MAT will not be allowed on property unless a prescription for MAT is provided to the Peer Coordinator and the Program Manager.

• Report all medications to the Peer Coordinator and Sharpen Recovery Staff. All prescriptions will be reviewed by Sharpen Recovery staff. You may be asked to provide proof of prescription(s) to the Peer Coordinator and/or Sharpen Recovery Staff. Pictures of medication correctly labeled as prescribed, with the first and last name of the patient, are sufficient. 

• Take all doctor-authorized medications as prescribed.

• Failure to refill your prescriptions on time or taking medication that is not prescribed to you is a serious offense and may result in being discharged from Sharpen Recovery’s Program. You must be able to administer your own medications as prescribed, on your own.

• If on a MAT program, you are responsible for obtaining a lockbox and keeping medication secured.

• Changes to your medication must be authorized by a doctor and reported to the Peer Coordinator and/or Program Manager with a Doctor’s note. It is possible that changes in medication could result in Sharpen not being a suitable location for you to live due to our capacity for oversight.  (i.e. controlled substances). 

• Sharpen Staff may perform random medication counts to ensure no misuse or abuse of prescription medication is happening. Misuse of prescription medication is counted as a dirty UA and will result in being discharged from Sharpen Recovery’s Program. 

• Drug Testing: Sharpen Recovery will conduct random UA weekly test. UA is looking for any illicit narcotic (controlled substance) other than MAT which is approved by the Placement Specialist or Program Manager.

• There is NO tolerance for sharing prescribed medications.

• No Tolerance: If a drug test is positive, participant will be immediately discharged from Sharpen Recovery’s Program. 

• Prescription marijuana is considered a controlled substance and has a potential for abuse. Marijuana is therefore not accepted on the premises and participant will be discharged immediately if found either on person or within personal belongings. Participant will be immediately discharged should urine analysis (UA) test prove positive for marijuana use of any kind.

• No Kratom and no CBD oil is allowed.

Mental Health

• If deemed necessary by the Program Manager, a participant may be asked to get a professional evaluation during their time at Sharpen Recovery. The cost will be at the expense of the Participant. Failure to obtain an evaluation may result in being discharged from Sharpen Recovery.

• The Peer Coordinator and Program Manager can provide a list of counselors who we believe are reputable. We do not provide counseling services within Sharpen Recovery. 

General Incapacitation

When a participant becomes unable to fulfill essential program requirements due to any form of incapacitation, Sharpen Recovery may determine that the participant is no longer appropriate for continued residency within the program. Such decisions are based on the participant's ability to safely participate in the recovery environment and are not intended as disciplinary actions. In this instance, Sharpen Recovery will make reasonable efforts to assist the participant in identifying more appropriate resources.

Visitors In Our Home

The entire Sharpen Recovery housing community will be considered on all visitation requests. 

• Sharpen Recovery in-house visitation is only permitted with PRIOR permission is given by Peer Coordinator or Program Manager. 

• Members of the opposite sex are not permitted in any Sharpen house at any time.

• All visitors must be sober.

• NO pets are permitted to visit anywhere on Sharpen Recovery property.

• Peer Coordinator and/or Program Manager must be present during entire visitation (unless they deem it permissible without leadership supervision).

• All guests must stay in the designated common living areas and/or outside. 

• NO VISITORS ARE ALLOWED IN BEDROOMS, unless permitted by Peer Coordinator/Program Manager.

• All visitors must be off Sharpen Recovery Premises by curfew.

• NO overnight visits of any kind on Sharpen Recovery premises.

• Sharpen Recovery partners with other organizations and individuals and gives tours of the property regularly. We will do our best to alert participants of such visits and tours.

Leaving The Home + Overnights Away

An “Overnight” pass is a 24-hour period which you can be excused from being in the house.

• To obtain an overnight pass the Participant fills out a request form and provides it to the Peer Coordinator who may consult with the Program Manager

• Eligibility Criteria for being granted an overnight pass: Participant must be up to date on their financial payments (participant fee), in good standing as evidenced by their fulfilling the requirements of the program, they do not have any write up on file.

• If it is deemed detrimental to your recovery, you may be asked to limit your time spent with certain people or refrain entirely from associating with certain people, places, etc.

• We do not approve of overnights away with significant others, unless legally married.

• Overnight Passes are permitted based on the participant’s standing in Sharpen Recovery’s program and must have been in the program for at least 30 DAYS.

• No more than two (24-hour) overnight passes are permitted per month.

• Failure to adhere to these requirements may result in immediate discharge from Sharpen Recovery’s program.

By signing this Participant Agreement Form:

• I agree to all of the terms and content written in this Participant Agreement Form.

• Attend the required minimum recovery meetings weekly, the house meetings and all other meetings, events, etc. required by Sharpen Recovery Staff. 

• Follow all of Sharpen’s program policies and procedures, including random weekly UAs as requested.

• I agree to seek, find and maintain employment (unless there is a formal exclusion in writing such as an approved disability status documented by the Social Security Administration.) 

• To agree to pay all program fees timely (on or before the 1st of the month or per the signed Financial Agreement scheduled that I entered into with Sharpen Recovery.) 

• I understand that no monies will be reimbursed for any reason should I leave before the end of the month after paying my program participant fees. 

• I agree to follow the guidelines given by the Sharpen Recovery Staff regarding dating while living at Sharpen Recovery. 

• I understand and agree to follow the guidelines regarding cleanliness. 

• I understand that there is a zero-tolerance policy for the conduct outlined in the Personal Conduct section and agree to abide by these guidelines. 

• I understand processes for Conflict Resolution and Participant Correction. 

• I agree to abide by the policies concerning personal appearance, safety, mail procedures, medical care, mental health and visitation. 

• Sharpen Recovery reserves the right to remove or discharge me from the program at any time, for any reason.

• I understand Sharpen Recovery Staff has the right to ask me to leave and can discharge me from Sharpen Recovery’s Program at anytime and for any reason?  

• I understand that Sharpen Recovery has the right to customize, change or add any policies/rules for any participant in Sharpen Recovery’s program, at any time.

• I acknowledge that I am not permitted to initiate legal action against Sharpen Recovery.