1. Policy Statement
Family Promise of Puget Sound is committed to providing a safe, healthy, and secure environment for all individuals, staff, volunteers, and visitors within its Day Center and Night Shelter facilities. To uphold this commitment, Family Promise of Puget Sound maintains a strict violence-free, drug-free, smoking-free, and weapon-free policy. Adherence to this policy is fundamental to ensuring the well-being and dignity of everyone in our programs and maintaining a supportive community atmosphere.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all Family Promise of Puget Sound properties, including the Day Center, Night Shelter facilities, and any FPOPS-sponsored activities or transportation. It applies to all individuals (including family members of any age), staff (paid and unpaid), volunteers, guests, and acquaintances of individuals while on FPOPS property or participating in FPOPS programs.
3. Guiding Principles
* Safety First: Prioritize the physical and emotional safety of all individuals within FPOPS facilities.
* Respectful Environment: Foster an atmosphere of mutual respect, free from intimidation, harassment, or harm.
* Health and Well-being: Promote a healthy environment by prohibiting substances and activities detrimental to well-being.
* Legal Compliance: Adhere to all applicable laws and regulations regarding drug, alcohol, smoking, and weapon prohibitions.
* Accountability: Ensure clear consequences for violations to maintain the integrity and safety of our programs.
4. Prohibited Behaviors
The following actions and possessions are strictly prohibited on any Family Promise of Puget Sound property, including the Day Center and Night Shelter facilities:
A. Drug and Alcohol Prohibition
* Consumption or Possession: The consumption or possession of illegal drugs, unauthorized prescription drugs (including another person’s prescription drugs), alcohol, or marijuana is strictly prohibited. This includes all forms of these substances.
* Impairment: Being under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol while on FPOPS property is prohibited.
B. Nicotine Product Prohibition
* Use of Nicotine Products: The use of any nicotine products, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes, and vaping devices, is strictly prohibited on the premises of Family Promise of Puget Sound.
C. Violence and Threats
* Violence or Threat of Violence: Any act of violence or threat of violence by participants of any age, or by their guests/acquaintances, will result in immediate and serious consequences.
* Physical Contact: Participants will not physically touch, push, assault, or engage in any form of physical aggression towards anyone, including FPOPS personnel, volunteers, other individuals, or any other representative of the FPOPS community.
* Threatening Behavior: Verbal threats, intimidation, or any behavior that creates a hostile or unsafe environment is strictly prohibited.
* Serious Offense: Violence or threats of violence are considered a very serious offense and will result in immediate removal from the property and termination from the program.
D. Theft
* Theft: Any act of theft, including stealing property belonging to FPOPS, other individuals, staff, volunteers, or visitors, will result in immediate dismissal from the program and will be reported to law enforcement agencies.
E. Weapons Prohibition
* Weapons of Any Kind: The possession of weapons of any kind is strictly prohibited on Family Promise of Puget Sound property. This includes, but is not limited to, firearms, knives, explosives, or any item used or intended to be used to threaten or cause harm to others.
5. Consequences of Violation
Any violation of this policy is taken very seriously and will result in disciplinary action, which may include:
* Immediate Removal: Immediate removal from the FPOPS property.
* Program Termination: Termination of housing and/or services from Family Promise of Puget Sound programs.
* Law Enforcement Involvement: Reporting of the incident to appropriate law enforcement agencies, as required by law or deemed necessary by FPOPS leadership.
* Other Actions: Other disciplinary actions as deemed appropriate by FPOPS leadership, consistent with internal policies.
6. Statement of Understanding and Agreement (For individuals)
“I have read or have been read this document, entitled ‘Family Promise of Puget Sound Policy on Violence-Free, Drug-Free, Smoking-Free, and Weapon-Free Facility.’ I understand and am responsible for knowing and understanding its content. I agree to abide by the rules, regulations, and policies of Family Promise of Puget Sound. I am aware that as long as I comply with the rules as stated herein, my stay at Family Promise of Puget Sound is on a month-to-month basis, as determined by the FPOPS Team. I understand that failure to follow these program rules may result in termination of housing and/or services.”
7. Responsibilities
* All Individuals: Responsible for understanding and adhering to all aspects of this policy.
* All Staff and Volunteers: Responsible for understanding, upholding, and enforcing this policy consistently and fairly, and for reporting any observed violations to their supervisor.
* Program Directors/CEO: Responsible for ensuring this policy is communicated to all individuals, staff, and volunteers, for overseeing its enforcement, and for making final decisions regarding consequences for violations.
8. Policy Review and Revision
This policy will be reviewed annually by the CEO and Program Directors, or more frequently as needed, to ensure its continued effectiveness and alignment with best practices and legal requirements. Any revisions will be communicated to all relevant personnel.