Frequently Asked Questions
Who:
Participants – Hope House targets low-income and homeless women (18 and older) who have substance use disorders, including mental health disorders. These women may bring their minor children into treatment with them. Nearly 100% of these women have suffered some form of trauma or abuse.
Staff – The staff at Hope House comprises mental health and addiction professionals, certified peers, as well as administrative and contract workers.
What:
Hope House provides residential and outpatient treatment programs and a long-term supportive housing facility for women. There are 42 separate apartments available. The housing facility is known as The Highlands West. Click here to download a list of items allowed in treatment.
Where:
The Highlands West and Hope House offices are disclosed on an as-needed basis to maintain confidentiality.
When:
Hope House operates a 24-hour-a-day-7 days a week campus. Administrative staff is available from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
Why:
Substance use disorder can be managed. With proper treatment, individuals can lead independent and productive lives. Without treatment, the cycle is likely to repeat, often into future generations.
How:
Hope House uses the medical model for treatment of substance use disorder with an emphasis based on community supports and connections. All participants are evaluated by a psychiatrist, screened for medical conditions, and attend counseling sessions and classes. Such holistic treatment also includes the needs of the minor children and sessions with extended family members. Additionally, participants are given the opportunity to gain life skills, coping skills, education, job training, parenting and more. Providing housing as well as treatment has been shown to be more effective than treatment alone.*
*This is according to a long-term study performed by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Other stats and factoids are available, with citations.
Hope House is an illicit-drug and alcohol free environment. Facilities are to be operated free from the use and/or possession of illicit drugs and alcohol, and the possession of firearms or other weapons of violence.
Hope House has served over 1700 women in residential and outreach services.
Hope House is not an emergency shelter, visit our Resources for more information.
The authorizing statute, Title 42, United States Code (U.S.C.) 290dd–2, protects the confidentiality of the records containing the identity, diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment of any patient that are maintained in connection with the performance of any federally assisted program or activity relating to substance abuse (now referred to as substance use disorder) education, prevention, training, treatment, rehabilitation, or research. Read more about confidentiality for substance use disorder by clicking here.
What population does Hope House serve?
We primarily serve the following population: homeless, single women, women who are expecting, or postpartum women who primarily live in a 13 county area in the CSRA and women who are attempting to regain custody of their children, or who have legal custody of their minor children and are residents of Georgia. Hope House serves women from any county in Georgia.
How long does the program last?
Residents may stay at Hope House, Inc. for up to 6-24 months depending on the identified need of an individual or family. The average length of stay is 9 months with a minimum stay of 6 months.
Can I come to Hope House, Inc. if my children are in foster care and I am trying to regain custody of them?
Yes, one of the goals of the program is the reunification process. Our staff works with the mothers and the Department of Family and Children Services to rejoin families if appropriate. Learn more here.
How soon is one accepted into the program after a referral is made?
Hope House, Inc. is frequently at capacity. However, we have a waiting list, and we will place new referrals on the waiting list. You will be contacted for an interview when the appropriate space becomes available. An average time from initiation of services from application to intake is approximately 10 business days, if an apartment is available.
What will I be required to do if I am accepted into the program?
You will be required to participate in the all-inclusive program that Hope House, Inc. offers to its residents and participants. This includes attending group and individual therapy, life skills training, substance use and mental health counseling, relapse prevention, crisis intervention, family dynamics, parenting skills, health and fitness, and vocational/educational training.
Can my family come visit me? When can they come visit me?
Yes, they may visit every Thursday (except holidays) during Family Dynamics from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. If an individual is accepted into treatment on a Wednesday, family may visit beginning the following Thursday. Education is lead from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. with visitation following from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. If special circumstances require visitation, special arrangements may be made with approval from the treatment team.
Does Hope House provide detox services?
No, you must be detoxed prior to entering Hope House. Detox services are provided around the state of Georgia, and Hope House partners with Serenity Behavioral Health and Augusta University Health to provide detoxification services.
Can I come to Hope House if I am pregnant?
Yes, pregnant women take top priority per state and federal guidelines.
How do I make a donation to Hope House?
You can simply click on the button at the top of the page of our website. Or, checks may be sent to Hope House, Inc., P.O. Box 3597, Augusta, GA 30914 or call Sylvia Beam at 706-737-9879 at ext. 208.
What kind of material items do you accept as donations?
Please see our items-needed list here. All items are tax-deductible as we are a 501(3)(c) organization. If you have specific questions do not hesitate to call Chaz Butler at 706-737-9879 at ext. 210.
How do I volunteer at Hope House?
Call or email Chaz Butler at cbutler@hopehouseaugusta.org or 706-737-9879 ext. 210. Or click here to complete a volunteer application.
Hope House is a certified THOR intensive recovery residence.
Family Dynamics Overview
Hope House, Inc. offers Family Dynamics as an opportunity for both residents and their family members to learn how substance use has affected the family and the relationships within its structure. The purpose of Family Dynamics is to begin to address key issues pertaining to family relations and establishing a platform to discuss these issues in a non-threatening environment, as well allow visitation with loved ones in treatment. Family Dynamics sessions will begin one week after a woman enters treatment, i.e., if a woman initiates treatment on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, the following Thursday (the following week), Family Dynamics can begin.
Family Dynamics is held every Thursday of each month (except for holidays), from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM. Family Dynamics encompasses four specific sessions, which are outlined below. Please arrive by 4:45 PM, as the sessions begin promptly at 5:00 PM and proceed until 7:00 PM. Residents are allowed up to two (2) guests per Family Dynamics session.
Family Dynamics occurs in the following order:
The Initial Family Session is held from 5:00 PM until 6:00 PM, with residents, family members, and the peer support staff. The initial session will focus on educating both the resident and family members on specific elements of substance use (addiction) and recovery. One must be 15 years old or older to participate in this session.
Children under 15 years old or younger will participate in activities through the Therapeutic Childcare Center. **Each child must have a copy of their shot (immunization) records in order to participate in sessions or activities.**
Individual Family Sessions are held from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM with the on-site counselor or at a specific requested appointment time. These individual sessions are structured to assist the family with resolving current issues that may impact the recovery process. Additionally, they are intended to assist family members with developing insight into the program and the information that is being presented. Please note: Due to the limited number of counseling staff available, family sessions are limited to 30 minutes per family. In order to schedule a family session, please contact our counselors at least one week prior to the date. Additional time slots are available for sign up.
The following are the Guidelines for Family Dynamics:
· Individuals under the influence of mood altering substances are not allowed on site. If an individual is suspected of being under the influence of mood altering substances, they will be asked to leave the premises by the Richmond County Sheriff Department immediately.
· Two family members, in addition to a resident’s minor child (ren), are invited to attend Family Dynamics. Hope House, Inc. must be notified prior to Family Dynamics which family members will be attending the session. Only the resident’s children can participate in the sessions and activities. No other children (i.e., nieces, nephews, cousins, etc.) are allowed, unless they are 17 or older. They will then participate in the initial family session.
· All family members are asked to enter and exit through the front lobby. Family members are also asked to sign in and out and remain onsite until the conclusion of the Family Dynamics sessions. Once one leaves site, this signifies they have completed the current Family Dynamics episode.
· Only family members that have been approved and are participating in the sessions will be allowed on campus. All others will be asked to leave the premises.
· Individuals that are attending the Family Dynamics sessions are asked to provide picture identification card and sign a confidentially agreement.
· Residents may receive items on-site only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, or via mail. Items are to be brought in through the front lobby and signed in with designated staff. Before any resident can receive any items (i.e., money, cigarettes, sodas, etc.) they must first be checked in with the staff. Items will not be accepted at any other time.
· Visitation is to occur in either the Community/Dining room or in the resident’s apartment, with the outer door left open. Family members are to remain in the living room area of a resident’s apartment. There is to be no walking around the backs of buildings or into the parking lot with family members.
· In order to promote a family environment, intimate public displays are strongly discouraged.
· The above guidelines are to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals that attend Family Dynamics. They also promote the opportunity for all family members to share in a safe and non-threatening environment.
Hope House, Inc. reserves the right to ask anyone that is deemed a danger or threat to leave the premises.
The following are the dates that Family Dynamics session will take place for 2018. Please remember that these dates are subject to change in the case of an emergency.
April 11, 2019
April 18, 2019
April 25, 2019
May 2, 2019
May 9, 2019
May 16, 2019
May 23, 2019
May 30, 2019
June 6, 2019
June 13, 2019
June 20, 2019
June 27, 2019
July 11, 2019
July 18, 2019
July 25, 2019
August 1, 2019
August 8, 2019
August 15, 2019
August 22, 2019
August 29, 2019
Items may be dropped off for women and their children between 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday, except holidays.