United Community Services, Inc.

United Community Services offers a wide range of substance abuse treatment services. We currently provide services in two locations in the Des Moines Iowa area. Our approach to treatment is holistic. We believe that addiction affects many aspects of an individual's life as well as impacting society as a whole. Our program provides practical approaches to the development of personal empowerment and relapse prevention skills.

MISSION STATEMENT
United Community Services, Inc. is organized exclusively as a non-profit entity to provide substance abuse education, substance abuse treatment, information, and referral services.

United Community Services

Tobacco-free Policy DRAFT

Tobacco-free Campus Policy

Due to the acknowledged hazards of tobacco use, it shall be the policy of United Community Services to provide a tobacco-free campus environment for all employees, clients and visitors. This campus policy covers, but is not limited to, the smoking of any tobacco product and the use of smokeless or “spit” tobacco and applies to both employees and non-employee visitors of United Community Services.

 There will be no use of tobacco products within the facilities or on the property of United Community Services at any time.  Property is defined as any location owned, leased or maintained by United Community Services.

 There will be no tobacco use in any rented, owned or leased United Community Services vehicle.

 There will be no tobacco use in personal vehicles while on the campus or when transporting persons on United Community Services-authorized business.

United Community Services

Tobacco-free Campus Policy Timeline

 Implementation Date: April 1, 2007

 November 2006

• Establish committee to implement policy timeline
• Create draft policy
• Create timeline
• Order materials from Quitline Iowa
• Website will be updated to reflect forthcoming policy change
• Determine management commitment to providing staff NRT
• Communication to Clients
  • Verbal announcements will be made in all groups
  • Signs announcing policy change will be created and placed at front desks, in offices and in group rooms.  Signs to read: “Effective April 1, 2007, United Community Services will be a tobacco-free campus.”
  • Place colored labels on all admitting forms and treatment plans stating the new policy.  Labels to read: “Effective April 1, 2007, United Community Services will be a tobacco-free campus.”
  • Change patient schedule template to indicate policy change
    • Pre- April 2007: “Effective April 1, 2007, United Community Services will be a tobacco-free campus.”
    • Post- April 2007: “United Community Services is a tobacco-free campus.”

 December 2006

·        Finalize cessation dates for staff (January start date – Thursday afternoons ideal 2-3p at downtown location)

·        Display Quitline Iowa materials (posters and brochures) throughout buildings

·        Create and distribute letter to agencies and/or referral services notifying them about the policy change.  Letter to be signed by Kim.

·        Finalize policy and share with management

·        Schedule 5A’s training for late December/early January with staff counselors (1-2 hours)

 January 2007

• Cessation class (Freedom from Smoking) for staff interested in quitting begins
• Identify management responsibility for implementing/enforcing policy
• Discuss signage needs with management

 February 2007

• Management to recognize efforts of quit attempts by staff
• Management to discuss policy in more detail with all staff.  Answers to any lingering questions given.

March 2007

• “Acknowledgement of Policy” form created and shared with all staff
• March 26:
  • Remove ashtray receptacles
  • Outdoor and indoor signage displayed
    • “Tobacco-free Establishment” cling-ons provided by IDPH
    • Outdoor metal signage (provided by IDPH) to be displayed:
      • Downtown front entrance (suite 401)
      • Downtown back door
      • West Des Moines front door
      • West Des Moines side door
      • West Des Moines parking lot
        
         

April 2, 2007 – Implementation Date (April 1 falls on a Sunday)

• Clients begin to sign “Acknowledge of Policy” form

Number of Visits To This Site

ucsonline.org  © 2006                              Last Updated  08/22/2007