1. Senna Adjabeng, ICDVP CDV Program Manager
Mid Central Community Action Inc.
Countering Domestic Violence- Neville House
“No Rules Policy”
Senna Adjabeng, ICDVP
CDV Program Manager

2. Before the No Rules Policy
Strict rigid Rules:
-Curfew
-Chores- Chore list
-Bedtime for kids
-Reminders as consequences

3. Before the No Rules Policy
Controlling
Mirroring the home environment that clients were coming from
Created a difficult living environment
Difficulty maintaining consistency
Was not conducive and healthy for clients

4. Before the No Rules Policy
-Opposite of strict and rigid- Laissez-faire- Nonchalant
-Shelter got dirtier
-Did not work for communal living
Staff assumed clients had all the skills
Frustration from staff

5. Before the No Rules Policy
Focus on our philosophy and agency mission- educate, equip, and empower
Clients needed to learn choices
Experience little decision making steps
Focused on the Basic- Health and safety

6. Middle Ground The Big 5 -Confidentiality -No drugs, alcohol or weapons
-Falsification of information to obtain shelter
-No Stealing
-No threatening behavior
Every staff knows it has to be enforced

7. Middle Ground Other highlights Security Respect Housekeeping Food
Education
Self care

8. Middle Ground
Curfew
24 hour policy
Chores
Neville Bucks- incentives

9. Middle Ground More communication between staff and clients
Not forcing them to comply- Make them have choices
More opportunities for the clients to learn
Not assuming they know

10. It is not what you say, it is how you say it.
Final Thoughts
It is not what you say, it is how you say it.
Teachable moments