Morningside Recovery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

WHAT TO BRING?
WHAT NOT TO BRING?
WHAT IS PROVIDED IN EACH HOUSE?
WHAT ARE THE CURFEW RULES?
WHAT IS THE DRESS CODE?
WHAT ABOUT FOOD/MEALS?
WHAT ARE THE PHONE CALL GUIDELINES?
CELL PHONE POLICY
COMPUTER POLICY
WHAT IS THE WEEKLY SPENDING ALLOWANCE?
CAN THE RESIDENTS GO SHOPPING?
WHAT IS MONEY ON THE BOOKS (MOB)?
WHAT IS MONEY RESTRICTION?
WHAT IS A WRITE-UP?
HOW DOES THE GYM MEMBERSHIP WORK?
HOW TO SEND MAIL AND PACKAGES?
WHAT IS A DAILY SCHEDULE DEVIATION?
WHAT IS A PASS?
HOW ARE SICK DAYS MANAGED?
WHAT ARE THE ACTIVITIES AT MORNINGSIDE AND WHY ARE THEY NOT INCLUDED IN THE COST?
WHAT ARE THE INSURANCE CLAIM PROCEDURES?
PET POLICY

What to bring?

Pack enough for two (2) weeks. Bring both indoor and outdoor clothing appropriate to the season. Keep in mind the year round average high temperature in Newport Beach, CA is between 65-70°.

• All personal hygiene articles including bath soap, deodorant, shampoo, razors, toothpaste, toothbrush, and tampons
• Blow dryer/curling iron
• Casual clothes
• Walking shoes/tennis shoes
• Socks (several pairs)
• Sweats
• Jacket, sweatshirt or heavy sweater
• Bathrobe, slippers and pajamas
• IPod, Portable CD/Walkman, with earphones
• Gym clothes and bag (shorts, t-shirt, shoes, etc.)

What not to bring?

• Any medications not pre-approved or without prescriptions
• Over the counter medications
• Alcohol based mouthwash, hydrogen peroxide, isopropyl alcohols or any items that contain alcohol
• A Car or Motorcycle.

What is provided in each house?

• Each house has a House Parent
• Each resident is assigned to a house and shares a bedroom with another resident unless a private room has been arranged in advance.
• The average bedroom size is 10ft x12ft, this means the resident must confine their personal belongings to ½ of the bedroom and closet.
• Each resident is provided the following house ware items:

• Bed Linens
• Bath Towels
• Comforter
• Pillow
• Laundry basket
• Hangers
• Alarm clock

• Each house kitchen is outfitted with needed appliances, dishware, and cooking utensils.
• Each house is equipped with a television, which is allowed only in the living room.
• Residents are only allowed to watch TV during scheduled TV hours.
• Residents are required to use headphones when using their personal stereo/walkman so as to not disturb their roommate(s) or neighbors
• Residents are responsible for assisting in keeping the house’s common areas and their own room clean. Each resident is assigned daily chores.

What are the Curfew rules?

• Curfew is 10:00pm Sunday-Thursday and 11:00pm Friday and Saturday
• All residents are required to observe the curfew rules

What is the Dress Code?

• Residents will dress appropriately, with instructions from the staff
• No new tattoos, body piercing, or other forms of drastic change are permitted. This includes extreme hairstyles and color.

What about Food/Meals?

• Residents are given a weekly food allowance of $75.00
• This allowance is provided in the form of a food card valid only at the local Vons Grocery Store.
• The food card cannot be used for tobacco or alcoholic products.
• The food card allowance serves to teach important life skills of responsibility, budgeting, and meal planning.
• Residents are encouraged to plan, prepare, and enjoy meals with their housemates.

What are the Phone Call guidelines?

• All houses have an answering machine.

Cell Phone Policy

• Cell phones are not allowed during the first two weeks at Morningside.
• Upon admittance to our program, your cell phone, credit cards and cash will be taken and stored in our safe.
• We will return your cell phone to you after two weeks. Simply notify your case manager that you would like it returned to you after the first two weeks.
• No cell phones are allowed in groups.
• If a cell phone becomes disruptive or interferes with the resident’s recovery, then it will be taken away. The case manager has full discretion as to when the cell phone is taken away and when it is returned.

Computer Policy

• Laptop computers are allowed at Morningside Recovery.
• If computer usage becomes a problem and interferes with the resident’s program in any way, then the computer will be taken away from the resident.
• The Case Manager and/or clinical team will determine when and if the resident will get his computer back.
• No internet based games or pornography are allowed.

What is the weekly spending allowance?

• Client receive $40 twice weekly as an allowance. No other cash is given to the client unless it is approved by the financially responsible party and/or the client’s case manager.
• Each resident must complete a Money Request Form by the appointed time to receive money.
• Money is only available to residents if there is sufficient funds in their MOB accounts.
• MOB statements are available by request, but may take up to 24hours to process.

Can the residents go shopping?

• Residents are allowed to go shopping for personal items, above and beyond their weekly spending allowance
• Resident’s shopping trips must be approved by the case manager and the responsible party
• MOB funds must be available for these shopping trips
• Resident must complete a separate Money Request which is signed by the Case Manager after being verbally approved by the responsible party
• Resident is accompanied by a staff person, who will be in charge of the approved funds.

What is Money on the Books (MOB)?

• Personal Expenses not included in fee structure.
• It is both suggested and expected that resident’s put at least $1500 on the books upon admittance to the program.
• Due to delayed billing from some vendors, a cash out refund is delayed 30-45 days
• Each resident has a MOB account and the following are examples of items charged to the resident’s account:
  • Weekly Spending money
  • Special Counseling/Medical Checks
  • Medication
  • Detoxification fee
  • Shopping
  • Haircuts
  • Nails
  • Lab Charges
  • Movies
  • Theatre
  • Property Damage
  • Psychological Testing Processing Fees
  • Miscellaneous Pet Expenses
  • Pet Boarding
  • Pet Grooming
  • Veterinary Fees

What is money restriction?

If a resident receives a Write Up during the week, then they will be restricted from requesting and receiving their next personal spending allowance disbursement.

What is a Write-Up?

• Each resident, upon arrival, is orientated to the program’s policies, procedures, and rules.
• The resident is given a copy of the Morningside Recovery Client Handbook which includes all rules, procedures, and policies.
• Violation of these standards will result in write-ups
• One Write Up will result in half the money for the week.
• Two Write Ups and no money will be given to the resident for the week.
• Three Write Ups and the resident will have to meet with the treatment team regarding noncompliance to the Morningside Recovery program.

How does the Gym Membership work?

• All residents are required to participate in some form of physical activity while at Morningside to enhance their recovery
• Residents are given passes to our local 24 Hour Fitness Club for the duration of their stay with us.
• If the resident is already a 24 Hour Fitness member from another city or state, then their membership card will be welcomed at the 24 Hour club location. Resident should remember to carry their membership card.
• Gym time is scheduled four times per week, with an optional Saturday gym run. Residents are allowed to go to the gym on their own time as well.
• Residents are transported to the 24 Hour Fitness facility

How to send Mail and Packages?

• Residents may receive mail any time after arrival.
• All packages are inspected for alcohol, products containing alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription drugs, drug paraphernalia, and pornographic material
• The following address can be used for residents: Resident’s name Morningside Recovery 3404 A Via Lido, Newport Beach, CA 92663.

What is a Daily Schedule Deviation?

• A deviation from the daily schedule can be requested when the resident has been at our facility for at least 30 days
• A deviation might be requested to attend an alternate meeting, to meet with one’s sponsor, or to have lunch or dinner with the resident’s family member
• A resident may have two (2) deviations per week
• A deviation request must be turned in 72 hours (3 days) in advance to the Community Director.
• The deviation must be approved by the Community Director and Case Manager. If approved, the deviation request will be returned to the resident.

What is a Pass?

• A pass to leave the community can be requested when the resident has been at our facility for at least 30 days
• A resident is not allowed to go on pass two weekends in a row unless unusual circumstances warrant it.
• A pass request must be turned in 7 days in advance to the Community Director.
• The pass request must indicate who the resident will be staying with (relationship), that the environment is clean and sober, the date and time leaving, the date and time returning, and a telephone contact number.
• The person(s) who the resident will be staying with will be contacted by the resident’s case manager for confirmation.
• The pass must be approved by the Community Director and Case Manager.
• All passes end Sunday 4:00PM

How are Sick Days managed?

• If the resident is not feeling well, they must call in to the Office immediately.
• The resident will be picked up to see the Nurse if necessary.
• If medically necessary, the resident will be instructed to stay home, in bed all day, without TV privileges.
• If necessary an appointment with the doctor will be made by the nurse.

What are the activities at Morningside and why are they not included in the cost?

• Activities vary from week to week and are planned approximately one month in advance. Activities in the past have included: Go-Cart Racing, Disneyland, Movies, Softball, and Deep Sea Fishing.
• The price of the activities are not included in the cost of Morningside because the prices of the activities can vary considerably from month to month. We found it easier to charge clients per activity, rather than attempt to build it into the cost of Morningside.
• All clients are required to go on activities and will be responsible for payment even if they do not attend the event because often tickets and reservations for activities are paid for in advance and are nonrefundable.
• No revisions will be accepted.
• Additional money is available for clients for special purchases or purposes if it is approved by their case manager, the money is available on their MOB, and it is approved by the financially responsible party.

What are the Insurance Claim Procedures?

• We do not accept insurance as payment
• We suggest that you bill your insurance company directly.
• Coverage is dependent on your individual or group policy
• Residents should bring their Insurance Identification card (or a legible copy of the front and back) with them.
• A copy of the resident’s insurance card will be faxed to the local pharmacy to facilitate the filling of approved prescriptions and processing insurance payment for approved prescriptions

Pet Policy

• Morningside Recovery is one of the few treatment facilities to offer residents the opportunity to bring their dogs with them to extended care treatment. We believe that pets can be beneficial to the recovery process.
• In order to allow pets at the facility, residents must make prior arrangement to bring their pets with them or have their pets brought to Morningside.
• All pets are expected to have all their shots when they arrive at Morningside. Proof must be provided to Morningside prior to admittance that the pet has received all of his or her shots.
• Dogs no larger than 25 pounds are allowed at Morningside.
• If the dog is over 25 pounds, and is approved for admittance to Morningside, then special arrangements may have to be made and extra fees may apply. There is no guarantee that we will accept a pet over 25 pounds and space for pets is limited.
• An extra pet fee is charged to the client, which covers special pet cleaning services after discharge.
• Residents are given a list of rules for pets which they are expected to follow as closely as all other rules at Morningside.
• Residents will be allowed extra spending money each week and/or month to purchase pet supplies, pet food, pay for grooming, etc.
• If the pet becomes a problem in any way (e.g., is disruptive, barks excessively, is aggressive, etc.) then we will ask the resident to remove the pet from the facility and we will provide a list of local boarding facilities for the pet until the resident is discharged. All pet boarding fees will be paid by the resident and taken off the resident’s Money on the Books.
• Pets must be pre-admitted due to space limitations.

Morningside assumes no responsibility for lost, stolen, or injured pets.