Introduction:

I was placed for field at Positive Images Inc. in Detroit, Michigan. While
sitting down with one of the field instructors we discussed my interests; what
group of people I would prefer to focus on while doing my internship. I love
working with children and families and have a new interest in substance
abuse and was very excited to find out that Positive Images fits into all my
desired categories. Positive Images is a rehabilitation facility, which focuses
on the reduction of substance abuse. The program provides housing for
women and their children that are are homeless.
Mission/Purpose of the Agency:
"Positive Images is a private, 501, (c)(3) non-profit, therapeutic
community. The organization addresses the special needs of adults and
families recovering from substance use disorder, mental impairment, cooccurring disorders, and other social, medical, and or environmental
problems. It provides a women specialty program, intensive substance
abuse treatment, domicile, integrated services (substance abuse and mental
health treatment combined), childcare, shelter, support services, referrals to
ancillary services and collaborates with existing community programs."
Positive Images provides within the agency treatment and
programs; assisting the women and their children who are working on
developing or improving the skills necessary to live independently. Services

that are provided include: counseling on a daily basis; staff assists the
residents with resume writing, job skills, and interviewing techniques. An
independent living coordination assists the women in creating a safe and
nurturing environment for themselves and their children. A nutritional
program addresses meal planning and shopping, a health program to
develop and maintain healthy lifestyle, an empowerment group, a childcare
program, and transportations services.
Population Served:
The population that is served at Positive Images are women and their
children, if they have children. The ethnicity that is primarily at Positive
Images is African American and Caucasian women; ranging in ages 20 to 50.
Positive Images houses the women and their children if the women are
homeless. Most of the women are Christian believing in God or a higher
power.
Role within the Agency:
While at my internship I help in assisting the director of the company
as well as the counselors in any way I can. I was given clients to meet with
every week on an individual basis and fill out progress notes regarding the
client after the meeting. I attend group therapy with the counselors and
assist in group and with note taking regarding the clients cooperation in
group. After clients fill out their intake forms I was trained how to type out

the psychosocial reports. I am required to attend the all staff meeting every
Tuesday at 4:00p.m. The staff meeting gives the counselors and director an
opportunity to discuss their clients with their fellow counselors and ask for
suggestions in treating their clients. It is my role in the agency to empower
women in a non-judgmental fashion, to assist in helping the women move
past the guilt and shame they feel from their past and to encourage them to
be the independent women they aspire to be.
Disciplinary Actions within the Agency:
All clients have to work together to stay clean off of drugs and alcohol,
perform daily chores, and attend group and individual meetings. Positive
Images has three levels of recovery and if one of the clients comes into the
agency after using any substance then they are brought back to start over in
level one. When women are not keeping up with their chores and are not
listening to the "house mother" then they could be written up, three or more
write ups can result in restriction without the capability to leave the agency
unless accompanied by a chaperon. The clients are required to attend two
individual meetings with their counselors and two group meetings per week;
once the counselors find out the client is not attending the required meetings
they will then make the determination if the client should stay at Positive
Images or seek help elsewhere. When a client is struggling through their
recovery the counselor has to bring the issue to the attention of the entire
staff of counselors including the director and decide what should be done

with that particular client. The client can also ask to speak to all the
counselors at once to state any questions or concerns they have with their
recovery process at Positive Images. The counselors will vote and come to a
decision together before making any bold immediate decisions.
How clients enter/eligibility, intake and procedures of the agency:
All clients that are interested in getting help and living a clean and
healthy lifestyle are first told to call 1 (800) 241-4949 once the person is on
the phone with the operator, one can then choose a rehabilitation center if
they have an agency in mind. The client is then brought or brings
themselves to Positive Images starting out in one of the houses off of East
Grand Blvd., which is also the first stage of recovery at Positive Images. The
first stage houses women in three different large houses all living together
for 30-60 days. There usually is availability considering the women are not
living there a long period of time but if there is not any room there are other
agencies in the area the women can reside to. Once the women join Positive
Images they are then asked to fill out an intake form and then meet with a
counselor to discuss the forms that were filled out by the client. The client
also meets with the medical doctor on staff to adjust any necessary
medications. It is procedure for the client to sign, date, and fill out all intake
forms and consent to treatment. The counselor will determine after meeting
with the client and reviewing all paperwork the treatment objectives and
goals for that individual client.

How clients Progress through the system:

All clients are required to start recovery on the Blvd., which is one of
the three houses off of East Grand Blvd. in Detroit, each house can hold up to
10 to 15 women to each home. Once the client successfully completes at
least 30 days on the Blvd. without relapsing they are then allowed to move
to the second stage of their recovery.
The second stage is a large building located on Coplin street in
eastside Detroit which houses up 32 women in their own individual
apartments. In this building the women are allowed to take their children to
the apartment to live with them in either a two or three bedroom apartment
depending on the size of the family. In this stage of recovery the women are
now able to come and go as desired, find employment or continue their
education. This building has a daycare facility to care for the womens
children while they are working or in school. The women are able to live in
their apartments with their children up to 18 months. While in recovery the
clients counselor will continuously work with their client to establish
independence once completing treatment including housing, employment
and any other state aid that is needed. After completing treatment there is a
third building located on E. Warren in Detroit which allows the women to
continue their recovery by partaking in group meetings and seeing their
counselor on a regular basis.

How clients leave/terminate the system:

The women that become clients in Positive Images leave treatment by
successfully completing treatment and staying clean without any relapsing.
Some women have a hard time staying sober and try to come in the
buildings after using drugs or drinking, once that happens they are put either
back on the Blvd, stage one of recovery; if that does not keep them sober
then some women are asked to leave and are referred to other treatment
facilities if they are still interested in sober living. Positive Images does have
a zero tolerance for violence, clients who threaten or harm other clients or
staff are terminated from the facility immediately but will still be given
information on other rehabilitation agencies.
The agencys commitment to the Community/ Conclusion:
Positive Images is dedicated to healthy, clean living inside and outside
treatment for all ages. The agencys primary goal is to reduce substance
abuse problems through the use of therapeutic treatment by providing
housing for women and their children, childcare, family support programs,
twelve stop programs, and any necessary referrals. Positive Images also
supports the Maternal Health Infant Program (MHIP), which is Michigans
largest home visiting program for mothers that are pregnant and eligible for
Medicaid. MIHP supports healthy pregnancies, which will result in positive
birth outcomes, and healthy infant growth and development.

Positive Images works with the community and community leaders,

encouraging these women and showing them how to acquire getting a job,
going back to school and achieving the dreams they have; showing women
that any life one aspires to have is attainable with dedication and
determination. The agency encourages independence and freedom from any
fears that have hindered the women in the past, proving there is a life
beyond drugs and alcohol.