Check-in Training

COVID Info:
Added to the training below are the following requirements:

• All persons must practice social distancing of at-least 6ft apart.
• All surfaces are disinfected after each guest use
• Only 4 guests permitted in check-in area at a time
• Male and female volunteers will take turns between guests checking in guests in check-in area
• Temperature check of all volunteers and guests entering daily
• Verbal symptom check questionnaire asked daily of all volunteers and guests entering
• Proper masks to be worn by all volunteers and guests during check-in

Read & Sign Volunteer Agreement Form

Notice: This year there are no special check-in volunteers.
​Check-in is being handled by the daily attendant volunteers.
(Not Required) Click the Button Below to Volunteer

Check-in Policies and Procedures

​Check-in Policies and ProceduresEvery volunteer must fill out the Volunteer Agreement Form, available online. Every volunteer must read these policies and procedures.
The purpose of the Check-In process is to:

• Admit guests to The Refuge for shelter as designated times.
• Assure safety of volunteers and guests by following daily Check-In procedures including search, metal detector test, breathalyzer test and proper infection control check.

Check-In Volunteers Protocol

• At least three volunteer Check-In workers will be available at the Check-In Site each day.
• Check-In volunteers will conduct Check-In of all guests at The Refuge Check-In Site.
• Check-In volunteers are not allowed to smoke during Check-In hours.
• Communication about personal or sensitive matters pertaining to guests should be done in private.
• No person can be checked in without first having an intake interview and registered as a guest.

Initial Procedure

• Welcome guest and check his/her name against the files.
• If someone is not registered, then inform them of our no drop in policy.
  • Ask them to call someone to come get them. Talk to them to help them think of who they could call.
• Each guest will take a seat and wait until called to proceed with the Check-In process.
• Perform proper infection control policy and procedure
• Perform breathalyzer testing of each guest
• If a guest registers anything other than “0.000” the guest will not be allowed to stay. Please refer to Policies for Guest Registration.
• Date outside of each guests’ file folder to indicate each day’s participation in The Refuge.
• If the guest has medication, fill out medication log.
• Complete daily information log (which is a great way to communicate to volunteers on following days).
• All bags, purses, and personal belongs are to be searched.

Search Policies

• All guests admitted to The Refuge will be subject to metal detector and search at the time of admission.
• After any contact with visitors
• After returning from any appointments outside of the host site or Check-in.
• If volunteers suspect contraband
• Before contact with any other guest of The Refuge
• There will be no exceptions to the search policy. All Check-in workers will follow the search guidelines consistently for all guests.
• A search will be conducted only by a Check-in worker of the same sex as the guest being searched.
• If a guest refuses to be searched, the Check-in worker will notify the guest in a professional way that she or he cannot stay. Once a guest has gone through the above steps, he or she may proceed to the common area. 
• Search the same way every time
• Search thoroughly - thorough searching is critical to everyone’s safety
• Search as many times as necessary.
• If you find a weapon, assume there is another.
• Always use gloves when performing a search/pat down.
• Always maintain a professional demeanor when searching a guest. Never make remarks that could be construed as demeaning, sexist, racist or otherwise inflammatory.
• It is a potential safety risk if an area is left unsearched.
• Searches are done the same way – every time can minimize the discomfort associated with searching.

Search Procedure

• The Check-in worker will inform the guest of the search procedures and reasons for conducting searches.
• Talk to them the whole time explaining what you are about to do at each step.
• Ask the guest to empty all pockets.
• Ask the guest to take off all outer clothing (shoes, jacket, coat, sweater, hat, gloves, etc.) and any extra miscellaneous items (belts, suspenders, scarves, ties, etc.)
• Have guest remove shoes.
• Visually search the guest for any bulges under clothing or other indicators of possible weapons.
• Direct the guest to face away from you with their feet wide apart and arms extended to the side palms facing up.
• Perform metal detector sweep

Items Not Allowed

• Knives, scissors, or weapons of any kind
• Medications not cataloged by The Refuge Check-in Associates
• Any items that are not allowed will be confiscated and given to the manager. The manager may approve of item or ask the guest to place the item in his or her locker.
• Guest must be reminded that these items are not allowed and that they should find a place for them. The item should not return with them the next night.
• Nothing else may be taken unless by special permission. If there’s special permission, a written note from the board will be placed in the guest’s file.

Should a guest choose to leave at any point, they may; but they are not allowed to return to the Restoration Center, or other overnight location, that night, unless it is due to a medical emergency, and with permission from the manager.
Dial 911 For Any Medical Emergency Or If You Suspect The Safety Of The Guests, Volunteers, Or Yourself, Is In Question.