Beacon House Review
Beacon House is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing residential treatment for women with children struggling with addiction and a safe space to begin their recovery journey. Beacon is unique in that it is the only facility of its kind in state of Wisconsin—allowing the children of women enrolled in their program live on-site. Located in Fond du Lac, Beacon House serves nine counties including Dodge, Washington, Winnebago, Waukesha, Kewaunee, Clark, Jefferson, Calumet as well as two local Native American tribes. Using evidence-based methods of treatment, Beacon House aims to help women rebuild their lives from the inside out.
Founded in 1993, Beacon is a community leader in the field of recovery—not only helping women to become independent, contributing members of their community—but also acting as host to recovery summits joining the recovery communities together from across the state.
Accommodations and Food
Beacon House clients are accommodated in a charming four-story white Victorian style home situated in a pleasant residential neighborhood. With twelve beds available, women commonly have a roommate with an additional space in their room for their child or infant. Twin beds are available for clients as well as cribs and small beds for their children. The top two floors of the house have three bedrooms and three shared bathrooms each. Linens are provided and must be laundered by residents once per week. Rooms must be kept clean at all times with beds made each morning.
The lower floors of the house feature common family areas and a fully equipped kitchen. The living room has a stereo, TV and DVD player which clients are free to watch during free time after 5 pm. All shows and movies must be approved by staff members and considered safe for an environment with children.
The kitchen and dining area are connected to the living room creating an open floor-plan ideal for community living. All appliances are provided as well as some food items. Clients are responsible for cooking their own meals for breakfast and lunch, but a family dinner is prepared collectively by residents in the evening. Menus are planned at the beginning of each week and must be adhered to. Food is typically a balance of healthy and comfort food options. Children’s meals are also prepared by the residents. No caffeine is allowed on or off property.
There is a small play area for children attached to the house as well as a designated smoking area. Next to the house on the same lot is the Beacon House clinic—a two-story cottage with a spacious living room and a private office upstairs—where all treatment is facilitated.
Treatment and Staff
All clients must make a 90 day commitment to treatment prior to their enrollment into the Beacon program. Clients are assigned a counselor and the two work together to develop an individualized treatment program. Clients may stay up to 120 days depending on their treatment goals and objectives. For the first two weeks in residence, all clients are restricted and must have a senior house member with them at all times for accountability. After 30 days, clients are assessed for senior status and are given more responsibilities and freedom which may include day passes, extended visitations and the responsibility of helping new members of the house adjust to their new environment.
After 30 days clients can seek employment or school or may stay on extended restriction. During their restriction period, residents are permitted to leave the house for 12-step meetings, medical appointments, recreational time at the YMCA and court dates. Remaining sober during treatment is the number one rule for clients to adhere to. Clients must respect the house at all times and treat it like it is their own. Clients must be respectful to other residents and be responsible for their own children at all times. During the week, clients must be out of bed by 7 am and by 9:30 am on weekends. Showers, cleaning and breakfast must be completed by 9 am so women can attend treatment on time. Group therapy and individual therapy sessions are held from 9 am to noon in the adjacent clinic. Clients have a nightly curfew of 9:30 pm (unless a 12-step meeting goes late). Lights must be out by 11 pm during weeknights and by midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Treatment at Beacon House is centered around each client’s unique issues and circumstances. Two staff CADCs are on duty during the day to facilitate group and individual therapy. Beacon offers groups that focus on women’s specific issues including sexual abuse, eating disorders, relationships and domestic violence. Counselors utilize Cognitive Intervention Programming (CIP) which brings about a better sense of self awareness and responsibility. CBT and DBT techniques are utilized as well as 12-step principles.
Parenting classes are available as are resources to aid in reintegration to the community. Clients develop life skills and are given counseling that specifically addresses employment challenges and vocational opportunities.
From 12 to 9 pm on Saturdays and 8:30 am to 5 pm on Sundays, clients who are not on restriction may obtain approved day passes to be taken with trusted support members. Clients must fill out a pass request by Tuesday at 9 am. Requesting a pass does not guarantee that it will be approved by the management staff. Phone privileges are also allowed in 10 minute increments and are allowed between 8 am and 11 pm. No cell phones are allowed at any time on the property.
Extras
Clients are regularly transported to the local YMCA for exercise and recreation with fellow residents. In addition, the house coordinates outings to parks, movies and activities that are kid-friendly. Beacon House also offers a family program that includes psychoeducation and therapeutic activities for supportive spouses held every weekend in conjunction with visitation hours.
In Summary
Beacon House offers residential treatment for women and their children in a comfortable home setting. Treatment for 90 to 120 days enable counselors to work with their clients on developing their life skills and relationships with their children. Clients attend daily treatment during the week and organized activities on the weekend helping them to develop a sense of community and to learn how to function in daily life while maintaining sobriety. Attendance of 12-step meetings is an important aspect of treatment at Beacon, introducing clients to a support system after they are discharged. Through family programming, a healthy home environment and a sober support system clients are armed with a firm foundation of recovery to help them transition home. Above all, Beacon House offers a safe space for women to begin their recovery and become active and responsible mothers for their children.
Beacon House Location
166 South Park Ave
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
Beacon House Cost
$4,380 (30 days). Reach Beacon House by phone at (920) 923-3999 or by email at fwrbeacon@tds.net. Find Beacon House on Facebook
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Sponsored DISCLAIMER: This is a paid advertisement for California Behavioral Health, LLC, a CA licensed substance abuse treatment provider and not a service provided by The Fix. Calls to this number are answered by CBH, free and without obligation to the consumer. No one who answers the call receives a fee based upon the consumer’s choice to enter treatment. For additional info on other treatment providers and options visit www.samhsa.gov.
