| FAQs
General
FAQs
Residential
Program FAQs
StepUp!
Outpatient Recovery Program FAQs
Counseling
Center FAQs
Foster
Care FAQs
Employment
FAQs
Funding
and Donation FAQs
GENERAL
FAQs
Is Advent affiliated with
a particular denomination?
No. Advent is a non-denominational Christian social-service
agency. We hire Christian staff of varying backgrounds
to work with our clients. Our clients come from
either unchurched, Christian, or other religious
backgrounds.
Do you require your clients
to attend religious activities?
No. Attendance at church services or Bible studies
is purely on a voluntary basis.
How many people work at Advent?
Advent employs about 70 people in four different
departments: Residential Recovery , Outpatient Recovery, Foster Care, and our Counseling Center. We also have
a large cadre of volunteers working to help us
fulfill our mission to hurting kids.
RESIDENTIAL
PROGRAM FAQs
How are youth referred to
Advent?
Youth are normally referred to us by the Probation
Department (with some referrals coming through
Social Services). Prior to admittance into our
program, our Intake Coordinator will interview
the teen to determine whether or not they are
appropriate for our program.
What is the typical background
of the youth you serve?
Our clients come from many different family situations.
The key ingredient is that they have reached a
place where their addiction has overtaken their
lives.
What kinds of services do
you offer for the Residential Recovery Program
clients?
Advent's programs include a variety of treatment
components, including milieu therapy, individual,
group and family counseling, NA and AA meetings,
life skills groups, recovery education, special
school programs, recreational activities, church
activities (optional) and Bible studies (optional).
For more information on our Residential Recovery
Program services, click here.
How many staff work in each
Residential Recovery home?
There are four frontline staff and one case manager
for each of our five group homes.
How long do youth typically
stay in the Residential Recovery Program?
The typical stay at Advent lasts from 9-12 months.
Some teens stay longer depending on their situation.
Others may stay for only a couple of months, depending
on the decision of their Probation Officer.
Where do the teens go when
they graduate the Residential Recovery Program?
Many kids are able to return to their families,
so some go to foster homes, sober living environment
facilities, or community programs for young adults.
Still others may get a job and live on their own.
Do you only focus on drug
and alcohol addiction? What about other issues?
All of the kids who come to Advent's Residential
Program are dealing with other issues besides
drug and alcohol addiction. Physical, emotional
or sexual abuse, neglect, mental health issues
and problems in school are other areas that are
addressed in the program.
Do the teens in your program
participate in NA and AA meetings in the community?
Yes. Each home attends 5 meetings per week. This
gives the kids the chance to interact with others
outside of the home who share in the same struggles
they do.
Do the youth attend school while in your program?
Yes. Advent's teens attend school together as a group. It is vital for our clients to learn
in a safe and controlled atmosphere where the temptations
of drugs and alcohol are not present. Many kids who come to our program
have stopped attending school and our focus is on getting them caught up with their high school credits.
Are all of your recovery
homes located in the same area?
All of our recovery homes are in Santa Clara County,
located in Northern California. One of our homes
is located in San Jose, two in Morgan Hill, one
in San Martin and one in Gilroy.
STEP
UP! OUTPATIENT RECOVERY PROGRAM FAQs
How does an adolescent get
enrolled into the Step Up! outpatient program?
Simply call Advent at 408-281-0708 and ask to
speak to a Step Up! caseworker, or email us. An
initial assessment will be set-up with the adolescent
and their parent(s) and the client can start treatment
that day.
What are the hours for the
group treatment?
Treatment groups are usually scheduled daily from
4:30 pm to 6:00 pm.
What is the length and frequency
of treatment?
The Step Up! program is a six month program. Initially,
clients attend the program for five days a week,
eventually tapering off to one time per week,
over a six month period.
What is the cost for treatment
in the Step Up! outpatient program?
Because the Step Up! program is funded by the
State of California Minor Consent Drug Medi-Cal
Program, services are offered at no cost to teens
and most young adults up to 21 years of age. Eligibility
is based on age and the need for substance abuse
services - not income.
How is the program funded?
The Step Up! Program is funded by the State of
California Minor Consent Drug Medi-Cal Program,
as well as through private donations.
If I don't want my child
to participate in Minor Consent Drug Medi-Cal,
do you accept private payment?
Yes, we do accept private payment. Additionally,
your health insurance provider may also cover
some or all of the costs for treatment. Check
with your health insurance provider for more information.
Does the parent have to come
to the initial assessment?
It is extremely important for the adolescent's
success for the parent to be involved from the
start. The program will be explained at the initial
assessment, and a commitment is expected. An adolescent
may come for treatment without a parent's involvement;
however, the reasons for the parent's non-involvement
will be explored with the adolescent.
Is family therapy required
for the teen to be in the Step Up! program?
Family therapy is extremely important to the
adolescent's success in recovery. If a family
is unwilling to be in family therapy, the teen
will still be allowed to attend the treatment
groups; however, family therapy options will be
reviewed frequently.
Why is consistent attendance
at Step Up! stressed so highly?
For two reasons. First and foremost, we cannot
help a client with their drug and alcohol problem
if they are not attending treatment. Second, their
fee for treatment is only covered if they attend.
Therefore, attendance is their payment for treatment.
Most recovery centers bill for non-attendance.
Advent does not, so we ask that they not abuse
this policy.
Is transportation provided?
Clients must arrange their own transportation,
however, we are often able to help with the cost
of transportation by providing bus passes.
COUNSELING
CENTER FAQs
How do I make an appointment?
To make an appointment, call (408) 281-0708 x822
between 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm Monday - Thursday,
or email us.
What is meant by "low
cost" counseling?
Because Advent is committed to providing services
to people of all income levels, we offer a sliding
fee scale based on income. For more information
on our fee scale, please call (408) 281-0708 x822
between 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm Monday - Thursday,
or email us.
What is the difference between
and Associate Therapist and a Therapist-in-training?
Associate Therapists are either licensed by the
State of California or close to completing their
3,000 counseling hours for licensure. A Therapist-in-training
is called a Trainee or Intern and is under the
weekly supervision of a highly skilled, licensed
therapist. A Trainee is still in graduate school
and an Intern has graduated and is on their 3,000
hours of counseling to become licensed.
Can I ask for a specific
therapist?
Yes. Their fees are set by the level of their
experience (Associate, Intern or Trainee) and
your household income.
What forms of payment do
you accept in the Counseling Center?
Cash or checks are accepted forms of payment.
FOSTER
CARE FAQs
What types of children are
placed in foster homes?
Children of all ages and ethnicities who are victims
of abuse, neglect and family dysfunction .
What is the length of placement?
There are opportunities for both short and long
term placement, often until age 18.
Where do you recruit your
foster families?
Foster families are recruited from the Christian
community, drawing families from various denominations
and all races in order to provide the best match
between family and child.
How do I get a child placed
in my home?
Advent works with you to determine what type of
children will be best suited for your home. We
share background information about the children
to help you make the final decision.
Is special training needed
for prospective foster parents?
We begin orientation with 12 hours of training
and a Foster Care Handbook for easy reference
on policies and procedures. Orientation training
includes:
* First aid
* Stages of child and psychological development
* Parenting and disciplining an abused child
* Special needs children with emotional and psychological
disturbances
* Communication skill-building for parents
* The role of the birth parent(s) in foster home
placement
* The role and responsibilities of the agency
including: the monthly stipend, use of MedCal,
support meetings, etc.
* Licensing rules and regulations
You can also become a foster
parent for higher needs children. This gives the
child a stable, caring home while you receive
special training, increased renumeration and staff
support.
EMPLOYMENT
FAQs
Is Advent hiring?
Current openings and the salary that the position
pays are posted on our website under Job
Opportunities.
What is the pay?
Current openings and the salary that the position
pays are posted on our website under Job
Opportunities.
Is there a time commitment
to this position?
We ask for a one-year commitment from our Resident
Childcare Workers and a two-year commitment from those
in positions of leadership. (Senior Childcare Workers,
Social Workers, Addictions Counselors, etc.)
What does your benefits package
look like?
Advent provides medical insurance,
two-weeks paid vacation, and ten paid holidays.
Do Resident Childcare Workers have
to find housing for their days off?
No. Housing is provided 7 days a
week.
When you say the shift is
4 days on duty, is it the same four days every
week?
Yes. Your shift will either be every Wednesday,
Thursday, Friday and every other Saturday and
Sunday, or you will work every Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday and every other Saturday and Sunday.
What kind of training do
you offer new Residential Recovery Program employees?
During the first two weeks on the job, the Senior
Childcare Worker will live in the recovery home with
you in order to provide you with on-the-job training.
During the next three months you will receive
on-going training from the Senior Childcare Worker. You
will also attend monthly trainings on topics including,
but not limited to, Runaway Prevention, Conduct
Disorder, Disease Concepts of Alcohol, Child Sexuality
and Suicide and Crisis.
Is San Jose near the beach?
San Jose is located about 30 minutes from the
coast. The most popular destination is the city
of Santa Cruz.
FUNDING
& DONATION FAQs
Where do you get your funding?
Our funding sources vary. Approximately 80% of
our funding comes from the counties that place
youth in our programs. The other 20% comes from
foundation grants and donations from individuals,
churches, community groups and businesses.
How can I help Advent's kids?
Please see our How to
Help page for more information on the many
ways you can support Advent and the kids and families
we serve.
Can I make an online donation?
Sure! See our How to Help
page for more information on the many ways you
can support Advent and the kids and families we
serve.
What types of items can I
donate?
There are a wide variety of donations that can
be of great benefit to Advent, such as furniture,
household items, office supplies, professional
services, real estate, vehicles and even stocks/bonds.
Read more detailed information on the many ways
you can contribute.
Can I leave a gift for Advent
in my will?
Yes. You may designate Advent as a beneficiary
of your estate in your will. Read more information
on planned giving.
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