Services and costs

Services

When residents first move into one of our recovery homes, they will be directed to agencies that can supply food, work, and health services. Also new members are encouraged to apply for food stamps, until they can gain employment.

Food is provided at the weekly house meeting at each residence. Also we have three annual picnics at which sponsors and guests are invited. Other house member and alumni only picnics will be scheduled as well as our annual Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. We also plan other periodic group activities like bowling, etc. Senior house members will be able to attend concerts as a group.

Many of our residents attend IOP or aftercare provided by area treatment centers. FTF is within minutes of the V.A., Pathfinders and Cumberland Heights.

We will provide and arrange rides to local AA and NA meetings. There are presently over fifty AA meetings per week and NA meetings seven days a week in Murfreesboro. An individual could easily attend three meetings a day if desired or required. We also arrange, provide or facilitate rides to members that are required to attend probation. We do encourage new members to build a support network in AA and/or NA who are usualy eager to help. House members are expected to work diligently on their program while also learning to have fun and fellowship while clean and sober.

First Things First does not discriminate in any way on the basis of race, creed, national origin, political affiliation or beliefs. However we do retain the right to restrict membership to persons that do not have a violent criminal history (use of guns or weapons in a crime), aggravated assault convictions, or that have been convicted of crimes of a sexual nature.

Costs

Rent is paid each Friday for the upcoming week, Saturday to Friday. The first full weeks rent is $125 and any partial week is prorated at $15 per day. The first full and partial week is due at move in day unless pre-approved by house management. Rent is $100 per week for any and all following weeks.

Once and if a resident qualifies and becomes a senior house member their rent will be reduced to $95 or $90 according to standing and time at First Things First.

Rent can be paid up to 4 weeks in advance at a discounted rate. Two weeks is $195, three weeks is $285 and 4 weeks is $375.

There is a $5 late fee for any payment over 3 days late. If a individual becomes three weeks late, they will be placed on house probation. They will be required to continue having meeting verification sheets signed. They will also be required to show house management their pay stubs and have a plan to become up to date. If a person becomes four weeks late they will be required to go before the senior house committee. If a person becomes five weeks late they will be suspended from First Things First.

Court ordered Residents

Some of the residents at First Things First are placed with us through the court system.These residents will be closely monitored To live at FTF they will be required to abide by the following conditions.

1. All residents under restriction must sign out when they leave the house, stating the reason for leaving, date and time of day. Upon return they must sign back in.

2. They will be required to attend 12-step meetings daily and have meeting sheets signed and dated by the chairperson or secretary. Because of our involvement in area recovery groups, attendance of meeting can easily be verified.

3. At the courts request,we will administer random drug tests to restricted residents at no cost, if the testing kits are provided. If test kits are not provided we will administer tests at a charge of $10 per test.

4. All restricted residents must complete an employment verification form once the have found a job. This will include place of employment, phone number, supervisors name and extension number and working hours.This information will help maintain tracking of residents daily activities and a contact sheet in case of an emergency.

There is a house manager and also senior house members at each of the houses, that work with the residents to ensure rules are being followed and required docuimentation is being completed.