Turning Point of Franklin County Policies
Revised February 3, 2025
No alcohol, illegal drugs and/or paraphernalia allowed in the Center. No prescribed prescriptions drugs in view of others. For everyone’s safety, The Turning Point has a no-tolerance policy with substance use on our premises. If you are caught, you will be asked to leave indefinitely. The Turning Point’s Director will determine when you may return.
- Please NO talking about drugs and/or alcohol use while at the Center, whether it is a legally prescribed prescription or not. Talking about what medications you are prescribed may be a trigger to someone else.
- Persons under the influence may attend meetings (if not disruptive) but must leave when the meeting is over.
- No aggressive or harassing behavior and NO offensive language. Any suspicious behavior will be addressed
- Please NO talking about politics, government & religion. It’s our mission to create a safe, supportive recovery space for all.
- Children must be always supervised by an adult
- To ensure a safe environment for employees and guest, weapons are NOT permitted on the premises
- Please respect the Center and other guest by cleaning up after yourself
- The Center is NOT responsible for lost or stolen items
- No gambling on the premises – including scratch tickets
- No sleeping or lying on the furniture
- Bicycles are not allowed in the Center. You may use the bike rack out front to lock up your bike.
- Noise must be kept at a minimum, particularly while meetings are in progress
- No dogs allowed unless it is a service dog and has been approved by the Director.
- No soliciting
- No rolling tobacco in the Center
- All meetings will be held in the meeting room unless prior approval is granted by Director
- NO audio or video recording including photos of any kind inside or outside the TPFC Center without prior approval from the Center Director
SMOKING AND CONGREGATING RULES
NO SMOKING OR VAPING inside the Center. A staff member or volunteer on duty has the authority to ask a guest to leave if, in their opinion, the guest is not acting in accordance with the TPFC rules. Re-entry to the Turning Point is contingent upon approval of the Center Director.
Turning Point of Franklin County Affidavit of Nondiscrimination
Turning Point of Franklin County is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex age, veteran or marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, ancestry, political affiliation, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, all recovery pathways, substance use status, or any other status protected under federal, state or local law (Protected Status).
Turning Point of Franklin County – Code of Ethics: including the TPFC Board of Directors, Members, Peer Recovery Support Staff, and Volunteers that are supporting our mission.
Preamble: This is the Code of Ethics for the TPFC Board of Directors, Members, Peer Recovery Support Staff and Volunteers. The Code of Ethics establishes the standards of practice for all that support our mission. TPFC Board of Directors, Members, Peer Recovery Support Staff and Volunteers shall provide peer recovery support services in accordance with this Code of Ethics at all times.
1. Professional Commitment:
I shall do no harm. I shall celebrate and support all paths to recovery. I shall always abide by this Code of Ethics. I shall listen, motivate, and support others in their recovery and their plans. My work at Turning Point of Franklin County (TPFC) is about developing the strengths of those whom I serve.
2. Fundamental Ethics and Boundaries:
– The primary responsibility is to safely help participants achieve their own needs, wants, and goals. I shall be guided by the principle of self-determination for all and engage in evidence-based practices.
-I shall practice under supervision in accordance with all state and federal laws and requirements.
-I shall maintain the highest standards of personal conduct when acting in their capacity as the TPFC Board of Directors, Members, Peer Recovery Support Staff, and Volunteers.
-I shall practice motivational interviewing and shall be able to identify and describe the support that promote recovery.
-I shall comply with Vermont laws regarding the mandatory reporting of suspected child or vulnerable adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation pursuant to 33 V.S.A. § 4913 and 33 V.S.A. § 6903.
-I shall cease to work with a participant who consistently crosses boundaries or exhibits any sexual or other harassing behaviors.
-I shall notify the Director and/or Assistant Director of any situation that may impact on their own safety, public safety or the safety of any participant.
-I shall always respect the rights and dignity of participants.
-I shall always maintain strict professional boundaries between the participant and myself.
3. Standards:
-I shall not engage in conduct that does not meet generally accepted standards of practice as described in the Vermont approved Peer Recovery Support Staff training(s).
-I shall only provide peer recovery support services and may not perform services for participants outside of the scope of practice of peer recovery support services.
-I shall deliver peer recovery support services to a participant based on a written recovery plan that documents a substance use disorder and reflects the need and preference of the participant in achieving the specific individualized, measurable goals establish in the plan.
-I shall not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, veteran or marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, ancestry, political affiliation, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, pathway to recovery, or any other status protected under federal, state or local law (Protected Status).
-I shall not intimidate, threaten, harass, use undue influence, physical force or verbal abuse, or make unwarranted promises of benefits to the participants they serve.
-I shall comply with all terms and conditions and limitations of any certification and training they hold.
-I shall abide by all applicable State and Federal laws regarding participant confidentiality and, unless required to or permitted under the law, shall not disclose any information about a participant, including but not limited to names, records, nature of provided services, publication of photographs, and/or any other identifying information.
-I shall not discontinue service to a participant, nor shall they abandon the participant, without facilitating an appropriate closure of services for the participant or facilitating an appropriate referral to another resource or professional for services.
-I shall not engage in relationships with a participant other than that of a TPFC Board of Directors, Peer Recovery Support Staff, Members and Volunteers. Prohibited relationships include but are not limited to romantic, professional, or business related.
-I shall not serve in their capacity as Peer Recovery Support Staff for a family member, intimate partner, friend or professional colleague, nor for any other individuals who fall into a close circle of acquaintance.
Sexual Misconduct:
-Under no circumstances shall I engage in sexual activities or sexual conduct or sexual talk with participants, regardless of whether such contact is consensual.
-I shall not engage in sexual activities or sexual talk or contact with participant’s relatives or other individuals with whom the participant maintains a close personal relationship.
-I shall not engage in sexual activities or sexual talk or contact with former participants.
-I shall not provide services to individuals with whom they have had a prior sexual or romantic relationship.
Fraud Related Conduct:
-I shall not misrepresent professional qualifications, education, certification, accreditation, affiliations, employment experience, or references.
-I shall not use a title or document which claims a qualification that does not exist or that they do not have.
-I shall not participate in the creation of any false, fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading advertisements of service.
Exploitation of Participants:
-I shall not develop, implement, condone, or maintain exploitative relationships with participants or participant family members.
-I shall not accept gifts or utilize property or belongings from participants or participant family members.
-I shall not accept any gifts, favors, or free services of substantial (as determined by a reasonable person test) monetary value, or gifts that impair the integrity or efficacy of the participant relationship.
-Other than wages paid by an employer, I shall not financially benefit from a relationship with a participant. I shall not accept fees or gratuities for services from a participant.
Resource Recommendations and Referrals:
-I shall only recommend employer-approved resources and referrals to a participant.
Impairment:
-I shall not engage in the practice of recovery support services if an impairment (such as relapse) interferes with their ability to appropriately and ethically perform their duties.
-I shall seek timely assistance from the Director for anything that interferes with my own professional functioning.
Cooperation with Investigation/Reporting Violations:
-I shall cooperate in any investigation related to Code of Ethics or under state or federal law.
-I shall report violations of conduct of their own or other Peer Recovery Support Staff to the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation.
