The Good Shepherd Mission

Working Description of Substance Abuse Program
H.O.P.E. (Healing Open Personalized Environment) HOUSE

Mission Statement: HOPE House’s mission is to serve a limited number of adult men and women who are suffering with substance related issues in a Christ centered atmosphere; helping to heal body, mind, and soul using counseling; building relationships; and increasing knowledge.

Philosophy: HOPE House’s philosophy of substance abuse treatment is based on the belief that people struggling with substance related disorders are ultimately experiencing a spiritual crisis and are using substances to fill a spiritual void in there lives. We believe that if given the necessary knowledge, skills, and support, these people can find the hope to grow into whole human beings and fulfill their purpose as children of God demonstrating care for themselves, their families, and their communities. We believe a house shelter from a storm, and as such, HOPE House is a program designed to provide shelter from the storms of humanity that individuals have to weather.

Program Objectives:

  • To free the individuals and families from the use of mind altering substances (Past).
  • To help individuals and families transition to healthy and productive living (Present).
  • To teach individuals and families to be accountable to God, self, family, and the community (Future).

Program Staff:

Program Director:  Rev. Dave Smith
Case Manager:  Cassandra Curtis
Counselor:  Dr. R. Henriksen, Leigh Falls, PhD in prog, Melissa Mahaffey, LPC, SHSU Interns who are LPC or LPC candidates

Program Outline:

  • This program is a residential program of nine (9) months duration.
  • This program is based on a biopsychosocial theory of substance dependence treatment.

Phase 1 (takes place one day or over 2 weeks):

  • Detoxification and/or Medical Evaluation(by an MD when necessary)
  • Screening Procedure
    • SASSI
    • Good Shepherd Mission Lodging Application
    • H.O.P.E. House Screening Form
  • Intake Procedure & Orientation

Phase 2:

  • Month 1:
    • Program Orientation
      • All clients admitted to the H.O.P.E. House program will receive a Recovery Bible.
      • H.O.P.E. House Program Conditions
      • Good Shepherd Mission House Rules
      • H.O.P.E. House Program Overview
    • Withdrawal management
    • Individual counseling Once per week
    • Group Meetings (HOPE House) Three - five times per week
    • Substance abuse education – two days per week
    • AA/NA Daily – Or the In House Christ Centered 12 Step Group
      • During the first 90 days the client is to have exhausted all possibilities to helping pay for the program with the goal of funding at minimum, 10% of their program cost.
  • Month 2:
    • Family Contact (Family Group)
    • Like skills training
    • Financial management (budgeting)
    • Group activity off campus, supervised
  • Month 3:
    • Legal Issues (case management)
    • Family Issues/Codependency (education and possibly family counseling)
    • Seek and Gain employment
    • Can spend one night away with program approval.
    • Helps with group projects in community involvement.
    • Group activity off campus, supervised
  • Month 4:
    • Childhood Issues (counseling)
    • Implement Personal Budget
      • During the first 90 days the client is to have exhausted all possibilities to helping pay for the program with the goal of  funding a minimum of 10% of their program cost.
      • The second 90 days the client will hopefully be employed with these:
        • 20% of Salary to GSM
        • 40% Savings to get used to budgeting for life/household needs
        • 20%more to Savings for Deposits of Rent and Utilities
        • 20% to Food and Personal items
    • Group activity off campus, supervised
  • Month 5:
    • Co-dependency
    • Can spend one night away with program approval.
    • All life is essential in God’s Kingdom
    • Group activity off campus, supervised
  • Month 6:
    • Anger Management
    • Weekend away with program approval
    • Group activity off campus, supervised
    • Community Service Activity
  • Month 7:
    • How to live life and have fun
      • Enjoying God’s creation is good.
    • Group activity off campus, supervised
  • Month 8:
    • Relapse Prevention Plan
    • Group activity off campus, supervised
  • Month 9:
    • Preparation for graduation and discharge

Phase 3 Graduations and Discharge:

  • Participants receive a token that represents their completion of the H.O.P.E. House program.

Phase 4 Follow-up (Giving Back):

  • Lead 12-step groups
  • Lead small group discussions and Bible Study
  • Give YOUR story to church and school groups orally
  • Intervention Involvement
  • Financial Support
  • Volunteering

NOTE: Case management will provide feed back as to your individual standing in your progress of recovery.  Special Group and Individual Counseling will be provided as needed.  Restoration of relationships for family and friends will be a priority, but will happen as YOUR recovery allows.  You are here to develop a trust with people who want you to succeed and live life soberly.  NO HIDDEN AGENDAS, yes “ISSUES” allowed, BUT HONESTY, HOPE & LOVE (agape love) will be the standard – the only one.

This program is utilizing a collaborative effort with Sam Houston State University's Education/Counseling Department.  Doctorial and Master level students and interns will be utilized for mutual goals of success.  Local professionals are also volunteering, including Dr. Carl Mahaffey, Melissa Mahaffey, LPC, ACS, and Dr. D. Wells. This program is offered to the residence of Walker County and their immediate family members.  Intakes are currently available.

For more information please contact Good Shepherd Mission, Rev. Dave Smith, Exec. Dir.; or Cassandra Curtis the Admin. Assistant and Case Worker - 936-291-8156; 1005 M.L.K., here in Huntsville, TX .

Special Thanks goes out to:

  • AT&T for the Innovative Technology Grant
  • Dr. Richard Henriksen, Jr., Ph.D., LPC, ACS (Professor)
  • Leigh Falls, Ed.S., LPC-S, ACS, NCC (Doctorial Student and private practitioner) – She was the primary author of the program…
  • (Both are Collaborating through the Ed. Dept of S.H.S.U.)
  • The Board of Directors of Good Shepherd Mission & ALLLLLL the donors, churches and other service organizations who support this ministry to Walker County .