Our Program

Goal | Residential Program | Infants| Caring | Support

AA/NA Based Program

Women’s Recovery Services is a 12-Step AA/NA based program. We encourage all family members and friends to familiarize themselves with the powerful message of AA/NA so they may learn more about the disease of addiction. They also may find help in understanding that addiction is a progressive disease and that family members feel the effect, too. We feel that no one wants to be addicted to drugs or alcohol and that no socioeconomic groups are exempt.

Levels of Care/Level of Payment

Residential Treatment: 90-day minimum
Private Pay & Reduced fee may be available
Aftercare: Staff Faciliated
Transitional Housing

Goal

The goal of Women’s Recovery Services is to effect positive change in high-risk substance abusing mothers by raising awareness of the poor parental role models they have been. With Parent Education classes we are able to demonstrate how life is enhanced and children are made safe as parent/child relationships change when their own behavior is changed. Mothers can learn the root cause of their family abuse and addiction and actually reverse the poorly learned parenting practices so common to this population, and then provide safety for their children.

Residential Program

WRS’ residential program has evolved into a 90-day, 24/hour program with focus on changing drug, alcohol and tobacco dependence. We have been providing Child Abuse Prevention Services since 1999 when Sonoma County Human Services Commission awarded us our first funds to specifically focus on the needs of abused children. Many of our women have open cases with Child Protective Services where child custody is dependent upon successful treatment outcomes. Our rigorous 6 hours a day, 5 days a week schedule has evolved to focus on Parenting Education, which includes Child Abuse Prevention in the curriculum. Three classes a week are required each week and are taught by staff Parenting Educator. Other required classes are medical information presented by medical staff which includes a pediatrician and family nurse practitioner (we have a small on-site medical clinic); 12-Step study groups; nutrition and menu planning; problem solving; relationship issues; domestic violence prevention; communication skills and exit planning which includes referral to safe, case managed transitional houses. On weekends clients do housekeeping chores and are able to catch up on class work and when appropriate, have visits from sober friends and family.

Infants/Children

Each year there is an average of twelve infants born drug/tobacco-free to women living in our program. Infants born here do not have to go through withdrawal from drugs, alcohol or tobacco since mothers are “clean and sober”. School age children attend a neighborhood school and infants and toddlers are cared for by staff in our on-site Children’s Program while mothers attend on-site classes.

Attendance

Attendance in this 24 hour a day program is frequently the first time these children have been exposed to consistent positive structure. For many school age children poor and infrequent school attendance has been the “norm” for them. Many had to dress themselves, without help from mother, prepare their own breakfast and leave for school hoping they would arrive on time. Others felt the need to be the “parental figure” and stayed away from school to take care of their mothers who were unable to care for themselves due to their addiction. The children identified as the most abused, are referred to off-site counselors, who have very specific training with victims of abuse.

Caring

Consistent, caring structure for mothers and their children provide a new awareness for women that they have not provided safety and acceptable parental guidance. Frequently positive change may be seen in the first few days of treatment and continues as treatment is completed and they move into safe, transitional housing. Mothers in sobriety are eager students in our weekly Parenting Education/Child Abuse Prevention classes where they learn about their children’s needs and how they will meet them. Working closely with Child Protective Services many women are able to receive home visiting Parenting Classes on into the nine (9) months of AfterCare.

What we Support

Our program supports the principal that if the family stays together in a home-like setting with safety and security, abuse and addiction can be addressed and solutions can be found. Self-absorption due to chemical dependency renders most women ineffectual in their parenting skills.

Women's Recovery Services offers an alcohol and drug-free environment where a woman's recovery may begin. When appropriate, children may accompany their mothers.

The education focuses on medical information, parenting skills, relapse prevention, nicotine education, nutrition, 12-step groups, problem solving, communication and self-esteem.

Pregnant women may deliver their babies while in this safe and healing environment.