NCI Hinn'ah Bits'os Society/Ke Nahasglii
(Eagle Plume Society)
Handbook

The NCI Hinn'ah Bits'os Society (Eagle Plume Society) and Ke Nahasglii promotes both Dine' and inter-cultural practices and values. Its goal is to promote healthy behavior through the clanship system (Ke') and the Beauty Way Philosophy. In keeping with the Ke' tradition, both Eagle Plume Society participants and staff all relate to each other "relatives".

We believe that re-kindling Ke' between ourselves, our families, nature, and the Holy Ones is essential in achieving "Hozhoo Nahas Gli". This Ke' is necessary to "Walk in Beauty upon Ta De Dinn Beke' Attiin" as we journey through "Inna". Eagle Plume Society and Ke Nahasglii is committed to not only teaching this way of life, but to protect and preserve this truth by living our teachings. Unlike most treatment programs, the Eagle Plume Society is the beginning of a life-long journey of healing ourselves.

NCI-HBS Facility Policies

1. Referrals - Both outside and inhouse referrals to the Eagle Plume Society must be made through NCI Eagle Plume Society counselors(s). traditional counselors case staff the referral and make the final decision to accept or reject referrals.

2. Assessment - All Eagle Plume Society participants must sign both a waiver and a "consent to participate" form. They must also complete a full assessment, and be willing to stay within the facility for at least 16 days. All participants must make a commitment to participate in 6 months of aftercare counseling with family member(s)prior to admission.

3. Volunteers, and Court Orders- Participation in the Eagle Plume Society is on a volunteer basis unless other arrangements are approved by the Clinical Director and Eagle Plume Counselors. Some referrals may be court ordered a copy of the court order must be in their files.

4. Detox - Eagle Plume Society must complete (5) days of detox before their program begins, unless other arrangements are made with the Clinical Director or Eagle Plume Society counselors. This detox period is not required for non-NCI participants as long as they arrive BAC.000.

5. Court Ordered Restrictions - Eagle Plume Society will accept court ordered referrals but these Relatives will not be allowed to take unsupervised Nature Walks. They are only permitted outside the NCI building when closely supervised. Eagle Plume Society counselor are responsible for notifying Security and others of this restriction. There will be no exceptions. All AWOLs must be reported to the referring agencies immediately, complete and file Incident Report form, document in clients case folder.

All court ordered clients must bring a current DS8 or DS10 medical-drug screening upon arrival to HBS. This should be arrange by the probation or court officer. For those relatives unable to provide an drug screen upon arrival, they must produce $35, the cost of a NCI drug screen. Like all NCI clients, drug tests can be taken at any time.

6. Outside Gallup Area - Relatives living outside the immediate Gallup area and those referred to us by other agency programs are required to pre-pay $490 for the 16.5 day residential program. There is no charge for the detox period. Payment must be made in advance. Payment plans are not acceptable as Relative debt interferes with the therapeutic outcome. Special cases may be discussed with the Clinical Director.

Eagle Plume Society Rules:

1. Respect - Relatives are expected to practice Ke' and to always demonstrate respect towards themselves, other NCI relatives, and all staff. All Eagle Plume Society participants are expected to help, protect, and support their fellow group members in every way possible.

2. Policy briefing - Relatives will be briefed on Eagle Plume Society regulations, policies and procedures by a Traditional Counselor at the beginning of each group.

3. Standard NCI Policies - In general, all Eagle Plume Society counselors and Relative procedures must follow regular NCI client protocols and rules of behavior.

4. Privilege -Participation in Eagle Plume Society is both a privilege and an intense experience. Eagle Plume Society Relatives must attend all activities and complete all assignments. Refusing to participate could result in a discharge from Eagle Plume Society.

5. Tobacco - NCI is a smoke free facility. Tobacco and smoke ceremonies are only allowed within the ceremonial grounds and are done for spiritual reasons. Cigarette smoking or tobacco chewing is not allowed in the Hogan or Tipi. Cigarette butts must be discarded of in the proper manner.

6. Food - Outside food or drink is not allowed within the NCI building. Special food events or even snacks may be allowed within the Eagle Plume Society grounds.

7. Outside Contact - All outside phone calls and family contact must be approved by the Eagle Plume Society counselors. No family visits can occur unless arranged through a Eagle Plume Society counselors.

8. Laundry - Laundry facilities are only available on scheduled days.

9. TV - Television is only allowed during free time.

10. Recreational - The recreational court yard is only available during scheduled hours.

11. Relationships - Eagle Plume Society demands a fully focused mind and a committed heart. No romantic or sexual relationships (or any implications of them) are allowed with either NCI staff or other Eagle Plume Society Relatives.

12. Dress codes - No shorts, mini skirts, clothing that promote or advertise mood/mind altering substances, bandanas used as headbands, spandix shorts/pants.

13. Cookouts - Barbecues - All Eagle Plume Society Staff take responsibility for the safety within the Eagle Plume Society. All butchering knives are the responsibility of the Counselor in charge. Barbecue days must be scheduled at least 3 days in advance through the NCI nursing department. A memo concerning any required food must be given to the nursing department at least three days in advance. No food can be taken from the kitchen without a memo to the nursing department. All Barbecues must be conducted in a clean and health manner.

14. Chores - Eagle Plume Society Relatives are required to complete daily clean-up chores at the allotted times this includes the DWI unit and Eagle Plume Grounds.

15. HBS Grounds - Yard Cleanliness - The Eagle Plume Society members and staff are responsible in keeping Eagle Plume free of any trash including cigarette butts.

16. Vocational Policies - All Eagle Plume Society Relatives must comply with the vocational training policies set by the Vocational Staff.

17. Medical referrals: HBS follows NCI policies regarding medical referrals; counselors either take their client to the Nursing station in person or must make a written medical referral.

18. Sexual Harassment, Pornography: Sexual Harassment is forbidden at NCI. The possession of any pornographic materials is also grounds for immediate suspension of the program.

1. Intake Door Only - HBS relatives must be escorted by staff through the Intake door only.

2. HBS Commitment - Except for special therapeutic and emergency situations, HBS relatives are not allowed to leave the NCI grounds. Any special situations must be documented in the case folder. The only exception to this policy is the sobriety Nature Walk.

3. Sobriety & Nature Walk - This supervised sobriety-testing nature walk promotes responsibility, friendship, and sober living. Nature walk usually occurs between 8:00 and 8:45 AM. A full cubicle clean up and breakfast must be completed or Nature Walk will not occur. Although Relatives are allowed to walk anywhere, they must always be back at 8:45 AM. Relatives must walk in a group. For safety reasons, single walking or opposite-gender couple walking is not allowed.

If Intake is busy with incoming PC clients Eagle Plume Society must wait politely either inside or outside until the "all-clear" is given. All morning chores must be done before walking. The shift supervisor or counselor may also cancel this walk due to bad weather or security overload.

Clients can be frisked and given a breath test upon re-admittance. Any Relative failing the breath test will be placed in PC and the Eagle Plume Society counselor will be notified. Intoxicated Eagle Plume Society Relatives may be terminated from the program.

4. Morning HBS - Eagle Plume Society Relatives are escorted out each morning by a staff between 8:00-8:15. All Relatives must sign out when leaving the building. Relatives sign themselves back in and may also be searched or given a BAC.

5. Leaving The Program Early - Relatives must receive a counselor's permission to leave the program or will be considered AWOL. Under certain circumstances, a relative may leave the program with a good recommendation but must first see their counselor. As part of the normal NCI policies, all relatives and their belongings may be searched at any time. Exit searches will be standard procedures.

6. Eagle Plume Society Trial Periods, Work Assistance on the

Grounds, Medical Holds - PC Relatives on a 5 day or Medical hold are not allowed to attend or work for the Eagle Plume Society. In special circumstances, select PC clients may be exempt with the authorization of the Clinical Director. Medical Hold clients, however, are never allowed outside the NCI building without nurses approval and security escort.

9. Drug testing - Counselors or security staff may request for s drug usage test at any time.

10. Threatening Behavior - The Eagle Plume Society will not tolerate any aggressive, threatening, or angry behavior towards either NCI staff or other program Relatives. Such behavior is grounds for termination.

1. Only sober relatives are allowed to participate in Eagle Plume Society activities. Intoxicated relatives must be kept in Protective Custody until their BAC reaches a .000 level. Relatives getting intoxicated during their 14 day program must be case-staffed before being readmitted to the group.

No visitor is allowed on the Eagle Plume Society grounds unless sober. If a visitor refuses a breath test they will be asked to leave. If the visitor is intoxicated and driving from the Eagle Plume Society grounds, the Gallup Police will be called by NCI security staff.

2. Any use of mood or mind altering chemicals during the program is a program violation and is grounds for termination.

Grounds for Dismissal: Any relative can be dismissed from the program if the NCI clinical treatment team feels that the client's behavior or attitude is inappropriate. Such inappropriate behavior might include refusing to participate without good reason and failing to abide by policies.

1. Eagle Plume Society graduates may re-join the Society at any time without fees, providing they are sober, are following NCI policies, and are following their aftercare treatment plan. Graduates and their families are always welcome back to all activities.

Relapse after Graduation: NCI Intake Staff are required to notify Eagle Plume Society counselors of any Relative in PC due to relapse.

That Relative will be held until a traditional counselor interviews him or her. Eagle Plume Society Relatives are required to fill out a "self-commitment" form agreeing to this "relapse intervention". This form is to be kept in the Relative's Intake chart. If safe, counselor will release the relative after the interview according to standard NCI policies.

Any Eagle Plume Society Relative who has a complaint can immediately talk with their primary counselor. All significant complaints must be documented by the counselor or staff.

If the complaint has not been handle to the satisfaction of the client, the relative may proceed to the Clinical Director and continue through the designated chain of command as per NCI facility policies.

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Copyright © 2005 Na' Nizhoozhi Center Inc.
Last modified: May 24, 2005