We want your stay at The Perry Center to be meaningful and worthwhile. It is our
desire to provide the help, encouragement, and education you need and desire at this time
of your life.
Automobiles
Any woman 18 years of age or over that has completed HS or a GED and is employed may bring an automobile if she gives the staff a copy of her driver's license and verification of auto insurance, current registration and license plate number. If you do not have current insurance or driver's license, you will not be allowed to park your vehicle on the premises.
We discourage you from giving rides to other
residents. Any resident under 18 years of age may never ride in another resident’s
vehicle without written permission from their parents/guardian.
Bedrooms
Rooms should be kept neat and orderly at all times. Rooms will be checked weekly by the person on duty. Each resident will have a key to her room. If lost, another key can be purchased for
$5.00. Staff reserves the right to search your room for any reason at any time. A common kitchen/TV area is provided. As such, no personal TV's, refrigerators, microwaves, etc. are allowed.
Bedtime
We suggest that you be in your rooms and quiet at curfew. (See the curfew section.) You need rest as
your body is changing and your baby is growing rapidly.
Bible Study, Devotions
Mandatory non-denominational Bible Studies for residents will be held on-site at least two evenings per week. Attendance is required. Blessings will be said at each meal and daily devotions will be held each day at
the evening meal. Attendance at evening meals and devotions is mandatory, unless other arrangements have been made. Wednesday evening is a church night and attendance is required.
Big Sister
Each Perry Center resident is assigned a Big Sister as soon as possible after arrival. Big Sisters are volunteers. She is
meant to be a friend and spiritual mentor during your stay at The Perry Center.
Chores and Room Checks
Because the upkeep of the building is important, each resident will be assigned
chores. Some chores will be done daily and some less frequently. The list of chores and
directions on how to complete them will be posted. If chores are not done properly you will be asked to do them over. Upon their completion, the person on duty must check off chores. Random checks will also be done.
Church
All residents are required to attend church on Sunday mornings (or evening service if prior arrangements are made) and Wednesday evenings. You will attend with a staff person or person on duty, your assigned Big Sister, or through other arrangements made in advance with staff no later than Friday at 4:00pm for Sunday attendance.
Classes
Classes will be held on a regular basis. Residents' schedules will be taken into consideration when classes are scheduled. These
classes are mandatory for Perry Center residents and will be posted weekly. If you cannot make it to a class, you must get it OK'd with the Program Director before class time and schedule a make-up time.
Curfew and Quiet Times
Quiet time in the building is 11:00pm to 7:00am. The building is locked from 11:00pm to 8:00am on weekdays and all day on the weekends. You will need to ring the doorbell to gain access outside of these hours.
Curfew is 10:00pm, except on Friday when it is midnight. Residents age 17 years of age and under may have different curfews. This is to be negotiated with parents/guardians before her arrival.
Counseling
Each resident will be assigned a counselor and will meet at least
once a week. Residents are expected to make and keep these appointments. Staff will
lead/facilitate group sessions with residents weekly. If necessary or requested, Perry
Center staff may refer you to additional counseling services within the community.
Discipline/Consequences
Various kinds of discipline will be used when policies are broken. Examples include loss of privileges and extra chores assigned. If consistent negative behavior continues, residents may be asked to leave.
Dress
All residents are expected to dress modestly and appropriately. Short shorts, any tops showing your midriff, spaghetti straps, and other revealing clothing are not allowed. No bare feet are allowed outside of the bedroom/bathroom area. No robes, slippers or pajamas can be worn outside of the bedroom/bathroom area. You must be dressed appropriately for classes and Bible Study..
Free Time
All residents will be able to utilize the facility (per policy) during their unscheduled free time. Residents over the age of 18 may leave the building during free time but must sign in and out. The sign-out sheet will be kept in the Computer Room. Residents under the age of 18 will have to have permission of their parent/guardian to leave the facility and have approval by Perry Center staff.
Weekends are also free time. You may request a pass to go to a FAMILY member's home for the weekend or during holidays. Each weekend there will be a mandatory group activity planned for all residents not on pass. The person on duty will arrange this activity but residents may provide input into the activities. The planned activity for the weekend will be posted by Wednesday of each week. This activity may occur either Saturday or Sunday.
If you are not spending a weekend at a family member's home, the following applies:
Saturdays - may be used as a free day for running errands or visiting friends. Except for mandatory scheduled group activities, you may be gone from 8:00am until 10:00pm. You must give details of your plans to the person on duty and on the sign out sheet. Abusing this privilege will result in consequences.
Sundays - will be a day for mandatory church attendance (see Church). You are encouraged to spend time here together as "family" or to invite visitors in to see you from 3:00pm to 5:00pm only. When arriving or discharging from the programs, please schedule your moving-in and moving-out plans with staff in advance.
Home Visitation
Overnight passes are not allowed during the week. Holidays are exceptions. If a holiday falls during a weekday, The Perry Center will follow the school vacation schedule. Weekend home visit passes are approved by the staff when all policies are met.
Home visits are allowed every other weekend, unless other arrangements have been made. Weekends begin at noon on Friday and end at 10:00pm on Sundays. Home visits for minors will be arranged by the parent/guardian and the staff. These arrangements should be made 24 hours in advance of leaving. Out of town travel is restricted by the staff after the 8th month of pregnancy and will be granted only if a doctor has given written permission to travel. Overnight visits are with approved family members only. No overnight visits will be granted for stays with boyfriends or friends.
Hours
Doors will be unlocked between 8:00am and 6:00pm Monday through Friday. All other times all outside doors are locked and monitored by a security system for your safety and protection. Nobody from outside of the agency should be in the building before the doors unlock or after they lock, unless there is prior approval.
House Meetings
Mandatory house meetings will be held at least monthly.
Hygiene
All residents are expected to bathe/shower, use deodorant, and change clothes on a daily basis.
Laundry
Laundry facilities are available. Each resident is required to purchase their own detergent. Laundry room hours are from 9:00am until 10:00pm. There is a sign up sheet for times posted on the door. You are responsible for washing your own bed linens weekly.
Mail
Mail can be received in the Letter Basket in the Computer Room..
Meals
Each resident is responsible for preparing their own breakfast and noon meal using their W.I.C. food and any other available food. Leftovers are also available to be used by residents.
Residents will prepare an evening meal with the assistance of the on duty person/cook at 5:00pm each evening. Preparing the meal, eating together, participating in devotions and assisting in clean up is mandatory unless excused by staff or on duty person. Residents need to notify the on duty person/cook by 3:00pm if they are unable to eat with the group.
Medical
The Perry Center residents must be receiving ongoing prenatal care. You may choose your own physician or the staff can refer you to reputable physicians in the community. You will have your choice between two hospitals.
You may attend childbirth classes with your Big Sister. All medical appointments are expected to be kept and you are expected to be on time.
Movies, Videos, Books, Music, Games, etc.
Music, videos, written materials, games, etc. with occult, violent and/or sexual themes will not be allowed in the building. Examples of occult materials include: music, Ojai boards, books on witchcraft, etc., satanic bibles, tarot cards, crystals, etc. Only 'G' and 'PG' movies are allowed in the building. If ANY inappropriate media, materials, etc., is brought in, it will be confiscated by staff or person on duty. You will NOT get them back. What we put into our minds is what comes out. If videos continue to be brought in, the VCR will be removed. Your stay here is a time to reflect on goals, values and plans for you and your child's
lives. These destructive negative themes hinder your life from changing.
Phone Calls
There is a phone in the living room area for resident calls. If you desire to make long distance calls you must purchase phone cards. The
residents' phone is available for local calls only. No phone calls are allowed (incoming or outgoing) after 9:30pm out of courtesy for residents who are trying to sleep. No business phones are to be
answered by residents.
Rent
It costs approximately $1500 per month per resident staying here. Your amount is determined by your
income (or a minor's parents' income), not by your bills. It will be determined jointly between you (or your family) and the Administrator or Assistant Administrator based on a sliding fee scale. If parents/guardians place their daughter here, they are expected
to help with the costs. Minimum is $100 per month and includes food.
Rent is due by the 1st of each month. Failure to pay agreed upon rental fee may result in you being asked to leave immediately. Rent may periodically be readjusted during your stay if your income changes so please address this issue with staff in advance of the 1st of the month. You will need to provide proof of income on a monthly basis to the staff.
School and Work
State law requires that any person under the age of 16 must attend school. The
Perry Center requires that any resident under 18 years of age, who has not completed her
high school education, will attend school. Education is important for becoming FINANCIALLY
INDEPENDENT. Your options include traditional high school, alternative high school, the
YES program (an independent study program) or a homebound tutor. If a resident is over 18
and has not completed high school, regular work on her GED is expected.
Any person living at The Perry Center who is not enrolled in school of some kind is
required to get a job. If after one month no employment has been found, the resident will
be requested to put in at least 8 hours of volunteer work each week.
Signing Out
You are required to sign-out and sign-in every time you leave and return. The sign sheet is located in the Computer Room. Residents must be specific as to who they are with, where they are going, and a phone number and/or address where they can be reached if available. For your safety, please notify the on-duty person or staff of your plans as well.
Smoking, Alcohol, Drugs
The Perry Center is a smoke-free building. Absolutely no smoking is
allowed anywhere in the building or on the property outside. It has been proven that
smoking is harmful to unborn children. Second hand smoke is also harmful to others. If you desire assistance in quitting smoking, a staff
person will help you find a program to accomplish this.
It is illegal for minors to smoke. Any minor found to have tobacco in their possession
will have it confiscated. If it happens a second time, they will be referred to
juvenile authorities.
No alcohol or illegal drugs of any kind are allowed. Anyone caught using drugs will be reported to authorities. This is considered abuse of your unborn baby
in North Dakota.
Spiritual Counseling/Advocacy
Each resident will be expected to meet with the Program Director at least once a week. Residents are expected to make and keep all appointments. Staff will lead/facilitate group sessions with residents weekly. If necessary or requested, Perry Center staff may refer you to additional counseling services within the community.
Transportation
You are responsible to make and get to all your appointments on
time. Staff may supply transportation to and from any medical, WIC, and Social Service
appointments that are scheduled on appointment day.
Medical assistance recipients may use a taxi for medical appointments (ask the Program Director about how to do this). All other transportation needs (work, school, shopping, etc.) can be met through the city bus system, taxi, or Big Sister.