Admission Criteria
Trust-Based Living
Residents must be female age 18 or older and able to live independently. Our program staff are only on-site for a limited number of hours per week. Clients must be compliant with program policies at all times in our trust-based living homes.
Remain Drug & Alcohol Free
Residents must be drug and alcohol free on admission and throughout residency. A positive drug test is reason for immediate dismissal from the program. We admit clients with substance addiction after they have completed appropriate drug and/or alcohol rehabilitation.
Willing to Work
Residents must be willing and able to work at least 32 hours per week to meet the program requirements. Maintaining employment positions the client to transition into independent sustainable living upon graduation.
Maintain Medication Compliance
Residents must be compliant with all prescription medications. Medication compliance is monitored throughout admission and non-compliance is reason for dismissal. Medication non-compliance puts clients at risk for uncontrolled medical and mental health issues.
Program Fee
Residents must pay a $450 program fee monthly. This fee is approximately 15% of the actual cost of services which are largely covered by donations and grants. The program fee is an opportunity for residents to invest in themselves and their recovery.
No Controlled-Substances
Since we are a recovery program, we do not permit any controlled substances on site for any reason at any time. Prospective clients with controlled substance prescriptions are not a match for our program unless the prescribing doctor determines that the controlled substance is no longer needed.
Additional Criteria for Women with Children
Mother/Guardian Eligibility
Poiema’s Mother & Children’s Program is open to adult women (18+) who are the biological or legal guardian of at least one child age 10 or under. Mothers must demonstrate a sincere desire to parent, rebuild family stability, and engage fully in the healing process. This includes participating in parenting education, therapy, life skills training, and living cooperatively in a shared residential community. Applicants must be able to provide basic care and a safe environment for their child(ren), have no current threats of violence or untreated serious mental health conditions, and agree to our code of conduct— which includes zero tolerance for abuse, substance use, or unsafe behavior.
A screening interview, orientation, and required documentation (ID, custody papers, child’s birth certificate, etc.) are part of the intake process.
Child/Children Eligibility
Children must be age 10 or under at the time of admission and medically and behaviorally stable, meaning they do not have acute medical or behavioral needs that require specialized care. The mother or guardian must have legal custody or be actively pursuing reunification with supporting documentation.
Additionally, children must be able to live safely in a community setting and participate in age-appropriate routines and structure alongside their mother or guardian.
For the safety and well-being of all residents, we require that applicants have no current threats of violence, untreated serious mental health conditions, or active substance use. All participants must agree to Poiema’s code of conduct, which includes zero tolerance for abuse or neglect, substance use, or behavior that endangers others in the home.