FAQ

  

Who can visit the youth?

Only visitors approved by the Department of Children and Families are allowed to visit residents.  Some youth are permitted to visit their families at home or in the community; those who cannot have the opportunity to receive visits at the program.  Visiting hours at the program are Tuesdays between 6:00pm and 8:00pm, and Saturdays and Sundays between 4:00pm and 8:00pm.  All visits must be scheduled in advance with the clinician, caseworker or family liaison.

What is the phone call policy?

Residents are allowed to make or receive one personal phone call a day between the hours of 5:30pm and 7:30pm. (Must be approved by Department of Children and Families) Youth have the opportunity to earn an additional phone call per day based on good behavior.

Can my child have their cell phone?

Cell phones are not allowed at the program.  If your child has a cell phone when they come to the program, it will be locked in a safe until the guardian or the Department of Children and Families employee can retrieve it.  Youth will not be given their cell phones when they go to school, work, or any other off unit activity.

Can I bring food to the program?

Visitors are only allowed to bring food that is going to be eaten during the visits.  Youth may not receive additional snacks, drinks, meals, etc.

What can my child have at the program?

The youth are allowed to have enough clothing to last them one week.  They may also bring shoes, personal hygiene products and their own bedding.  Each child is assigned a laundry day in order to wash their own laundry.  The program will provide bedding and hygiene items to participants who are in need.  Residents may also have other small possessions.

Can my child wear their jewelry?

Residents are allowed to wear their own jewelry.  It is strongly suggested that residents either give valuables to their family members or allow staff to lock them in the unit safe.

Can my child have money while s/he is at the program?

Youth should not have more than $10.00 in cash.  Any amount over $10.00 will be placed in the safe until it can be returned to the youth's guardian.

Will my child have their own room?

Probably not.  There is one single room, three doubles and one quadruple.

Does your program conduct strip searches?

No.  However, anytime a youth returns to the program their belongings are searched.  In addition, the youth will receive a pat search by a staff member of the same gender.

  

If you have a question that is not answered here, please contact:

Sandy Reynolds, Director, 508-587-1896 ext 211; e-mail  
Stephen Rivers, Assistant Director 508-587-1896 ext 213; e-mail