Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is an individualized program?
We recognize that each one of us are able to pursue activities that make us feel better. Some like music, some like to read or study, to go jogging, to be alone or to be with others, do something with your hands, meditate or do a cross word puzzle. Some find satisfaction in stacking firewood, for others it is like adding insult to injury. In our program, we allow people a good deal of individual input regarding what one needs to do to get healthier. It is not so much a question of what one would like to do but more a case of what someone needs to do. For some this is a part time job, for others a class at the local college, others find that our regular work program suits them just fine. This does not mean that each person goes his own way. Many of the activities are shared, but there is ample room and time for one’s own interests.
What is your daily rate?
Please give us a call to discuss our daily rates. We believe our rates to be competitive. We recognize that having a family member with mental illness is taxing both emotionally and financially and many people have limited resources.
What does the program cost cover?
The daily rate covers the program, case management, routine psychiatric services and room and board. The daily rate does not cover medication, long distance phone calls, dry cleaning, allowance, medical services, individual therapy, or extended visits with our consulting psychiatrist.
We provide private rooms for everyone, shampoo, towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and local transportation to school, job, or social events. In short, we try to be fair and provide as much as possible without charging extra but we might charge extra if we have to drive someone to an airport 90 miles away.
We might charge extra if we have to provide one-on-one services because of extreme need or because we are taking someone on a three-day fishing trip. The bottom line is that there will not be any surprises. Everything will be worked out in advance.
How do you feel about family involvement?
We believe that family involvement is essential. In order for the healing process to proceed, all parties must be allowed to have input. We ask each resident to sign a release of information, so that family members or guardians can receive a monthly report to keep them updated.
We welcome input from families and often have families meet with the psychiatrist so that everyone understands what the issues are. Families are typically in touch with case managers on a regular basis, by phone, email or in person. Of course, we need a resident’s signed permission in order for us to communicate with family members.
How open are you to input?
We like to think we are very open. Upon admission, each family member is given the email address and the home telephone number of the program director. This is in case something important comes up and you could not reach staff for one reason or another. We think our regular process is working because our director gets very few calls at home.
What diagnosis do you treat?
We work with people diagnosed with schizophrenia, bi-polar disease, schizoaffective disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social adjustments, learning disabilities, ADD, ADHD. We have been getting more residents with computer and video game addiction issues. Many of our residents have a history of alcohol and/or drug use. We are not, however, a treatment option for people seeking help with active alcohol or drug addiction. For people no longer using drugs or alcohol, we can help support them to stay clean. We encourage attendance in AA or NA meetings.
What is your average length of stay?
Perhaps more importantly, there is no limit to how short, nor how long a person can stay. Length of stay is dependent on diagnosis, length of illness, and severity of illness, number of previous hospitalizations, family support and involvement, how hard you are willing to work, etc. Our hope is that we can make a difference in a person’s life. For some this means a goal-oriented program: get a job, get an apartment. For others it is the assurance that we will be there for them. A short stay may be from three to six months. Many residents stay a year or longer.
What ae your expectations of residents?
We ask each person to do his best in everything he does. Working on getting better, healthier, or more independent is not a part time endeavor but it is a full-time job. We ask of each resident to contribute in six different ways each day:
1. Do something good for yourself.
2. Do something good for the community at large.
3. Do something intellectual.
4. Do something physical.
5. Do something artistic.
6. Exercise every day.
What does a typical day look like?
We ask each resident to be up by 7:30 a.m. This allows for time for hygiene and breakfast. We run a program from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. At 9:00 a.m., there is a house meeting where we plan the day and discuss issues of concern. Then we divide into groups for different activities. This may be the garden or greenhouse, a carpentry/maintenance crew, a housecleaning and meals crew, etc. Some residents may have left already for work or school. We expect that whenever someone is not actively doing something that is part of his individual program (such as working part-time or working on schoolwork), that he is part of the general program. We meet again at 1:00 p.m. As part of the daily program, everyone, staff included, walk or do some other type of exercise a minimum of 30 minutes each day. The afternoon is partly a continuation of the morning program but is more open to individual pursuits such as playing music, working on a craft project, helping with dinner, studying and reading.
My son needs structure and to be kept busy…
We ask each person to do his best in everything he does. Working on getting better, healthier, or more independent is not a part time endeavor but it is a full-time job. We believe strongly that everyone benefits from a sense of belonging. That is why we strive to be a community rather than an institution. We also believe that a lack of motivation, or a lack of direction, is often a sign of not having a sense of future. When someone is anxious about his future, or has no idea who he can do or wants to do, this can appear as laziness or apathy. We try to give each resident a sense of belonging, providing structure, guidance, and a sense of future, thereby creating hope and motivation.
What resources are available in your program?
We have a consulting nurse who provides input and medication supervision. Castleton Health Associates provide medical services such a checkups, illness and lab work. Other doctors and specialists are available in Rutland, Mary Fletcher in Burlington or at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH.
What are important parts of your program?
We stress involvement, dedication and the social aspects of working, living and eating together. We strive to be healthy in all we do, say and eat. We grow our own food organically. We support our local community as much as possible. We bake much of our own bread. We recycle and compost and we try to teach that each one of us is a part of a much larger picture.
Tell me about case managers?
In consultation with the resident, and with possible input from family, therapist or psychiatrist, the case manager is responsible for establishing goals and objectives, writing monthly reports and making sure a resident’s needs are being met. This ranges from scheduling regular dental checkups to making sure there are enough socks. In addition, the case manager is the primary contact with family or guardian.
What are your staff qualifications?
In consultation with the resident, and with possible input from family, therapist or psychiatrist, the case manager is responsible for establishing goals and objectives, writing monthly reports and making sure a resident’s needs are being met. This ranges from scheduling regular dental checkups to making sure there are enough socks. In addition, the case manager is the primary contact with family or guardian.
What is your application process?
First, we only accept residents who come voluntarily. We are not a locked facility and we need a resident’s voluntary desire to get healthier.
We would like as much pertinent paperwork as possible: psychological tests, IQ tests, vocational tests, therapist’s and psychiatrist’s notes, progress report, hospital intake and discharge summaries are all helpful to get to know a potential resident’s needs.
We would like a narrative provided by a potential resident, or, if not possible, by a family member. This often provides a balance to psychological reports and hospital summaries.
We have a short application we would like you to fill out. This can be filled out right from our website. After these records are reviewed, and we believe there might be a possible match, we ask for an interview, followed by an overnight visit. Sometimes a 2-3 day visit is arranged. We recognize that interviews are stressful and we will try to make this as comfortable as possible.
All we want to do is get to know you a little to see if we can help you. And we want you to get to know us.
You turned down my son and I think he would be a good fit for your program…
Occasionally, we make mistakes. We are looking for a match: someone we believe we can work with and someone we have reason to believe would do well in our program. If you think, we are wrong, talk to us. We will listen.
We want to do the right thing and be fair. We want to run our program not only with our heads, education and experience but also with our hearts.
We have been wrong before, we have been persuaded to change our mind, and we often have been glad that we did change our mind. Talk to us if you do not like a decision.
Can I bring my….?
Yes, please. Bike? Skis? Certainly. TV? No. Computer? Maybe, it depends on whether the computer will add or distract. Car? Maybe in due time if you need it to get to a job or to school. Bring what you need to support your hobbies, be it playing or listening to music or books to read. In general, bring LESS rather than more. We find that many residents have trouble staying organized. The more stuff you have, the harder it will be to keep your room in shape.
Can we come for a visit?
Of course. We like visitors. Call 1-800-287-5325 to schedule a visit.
I have another question…
Fair enough! Email us at wleenman@fortysevenmain.com or call us toll-free at 1-800-287-5325. We will see what we can do to answer any questions that you may have.