The Fellowship House in Birmingham Alabama

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the Admission Criteria?
A: An applicant will be admitted to Fellowship House’s residential program provided the following criteria are met:

  • Applicant must provide a current (less than one year old) psychosocial assessment or history and physical with an axis I substance dependence diagnosis.
  • Applicant must complete Fellowship House application.
  • Applicant must not currently be in physical withdrawal from any substance.
  • Applicant must complete screening interview with intake staff.
  • Applicant must provide social security card, printout, or picture ID.
  • Applicant must pay $35.00 admission fee and $1.00 key deposit.
  • Applicant must have followed minimum waiting list directives.

Q: What are the Client's Financial Responsibilities?
A: Clients admitted to Fellowship are responsible for meeting the following financial obligations:

  • Admission fee: $35.00
  • Residential rent: Sliding scale of 30% of net income, not exceeding total cost of treatment (Cost of treatment is $45.00 daily / $1395.00 monthly)
  • Food stamps: All meals are provided by FSH. Clients eligible for food stamps will submit their EBT cards to FSH on the day of admission

Admission fees and EBT cards are due on day of admission. Rent is due on the day a client receives income, whether it is monthly, weekly or daily. Payment can be made and receipt obtained from any staff member on duty. Failure to meet financial obligations to FSH is cause for discharge from the program.

The sliding scale policy was developed due to the indigent status of most clients at the time they enter treatment. However, most of our clients are capable of producing gainful income once they have stabilized out of active addiction. The percentage paid in rent obligations to FSH reflects what percentage they can expect to pay for housing costs in an independent setting (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2003).


Q: What is the Waiting List Program?
A: The Waiting List program's purpose is to provide immediate access to supportive services for approved applicants; to reduce the waiting period to applicants who exhibit ability and desire to participate in residential services; to avoid admission to full residential services for applicants whose needs are minimal and can be met through the waiting list program.

Goal I: To ensure that applicants have supportive services provided when admission is not immediately available.

  • Applicants are advised of process group available that evening.
  • Applicants are advised that they may begin classes the following morning.
  • Applicants are advised of the time and location of self-help meetings at FSH and in their community.
  • Applicants are advised of family group available for their significant others.

Goal II: To ensure that approved applicants are prioritized for admission according to need and compliance with directives.

  • Applicants are prioritized in accordance with existing state standards based on pregnancy, existence of dependent children and IV drug use.
  • An in-house scoring system is completed to evaluate each applicant's level of need. Characteristics evaluated include frequency of lV use, severity of addiction, previous attempts in treatment, homelessness, HIV status, and non-supportive environments.
  • Applicants are directed to contact the intake coordinator at least once per week.
  • Applicants are advised that participation in supportive services will increase their prioritization.

Outcome: Applicants who fail to contact weekly will be dropped from the waiting list program. Applicants who maintain minimum contact, but do not participate in supportive services will have their prioritization score reduced by 5 points. Applicants who are prevented from participation for legitimate reasons (i.e. lack of transportation) will not have their scores changed. Applicants who participate in some of the supportive services will have 5 points added to their score. Applicants who participate in all of the services will have 10 points added to their score. When a bed becomes available, it will be offered to the applicant with the highest priority score. If he is unwilling to be placed at that time, he will be maintained on the list in accordance with state guidelines, and the next highest prioritized applicant will be placed.


Q: Are residents allowed to have visitors?
A:  Visitors are permitted on Fellowship House property between 3:00pm and 8:00pm Monday thru Friday; and between 10:00am and 8:00pm Saturday and Sunday.  All visitors must sign in at the admissions office when they arrive and must follow house rules such as dress code and cell phone restrictions. Please inform your visitors of these rules.


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