The Options Program at Cooper Fellowship

Options Program Overview

The "Options" Program at Cooper Fellowship

The Options Program at Cooper Fellowship is an Alternative Sentencing Option designed to permit sentenced defendants to maintain their employment while enrolled in a rigorous and demanding residential substance abuse recovery program. The Options Program is based upon the following understandings.

Substance Abuse is generally only part of the picture involving the dysfunctional person.
The dependents of sentenced persons should not be financially victimized by a defendant's loss of employment; Generally, the dependents have suffered enough.
Maintaining employment and demonstrating responsibility can be significant building blocks toward sobriety.
Long term recovery is best achieved by a structured program addressing the total individual.
It is the program goal to produce not only sober citizens, but responsible citizens.

The Cooper Fellowship Curriculum and Philosophy are unique and distinctive in a number of important respects:

First, The NEW program architecture, instituted in the Fall of 2000, was designed with the combined input of the judiciary, probation, prosecutors, defense bar, and program professionals to specifically address not only the problems and concerns of the resident, but of the judicial system as well.

Second, the emphasis is on helping residents to become responsible citizens, not merely sober citizens. Accordingly, in addition to a Twelve Step Curriculum, Parenting Skills classes and Domestic Relationship classes are mandatory for all residents.

Third, the program operates with only objective and impartial reporting to the Court. No staff person will act as an advocate for a resident. Whether a person "needs" to be in the program is a determination for the Court. Staff will fairly and accurately report the progress of any resident, without any spin.

Fourth, Cooper is a "Zero Tolerance" program with mandatory weekly drug screenings. Cooper will immediately, and in every case, provide immediate notification to the court and probation of any use of drugs/alcohol or other major rule violation. (Immediate expulsion will result.) While there may be some merit to the therapeutic notion that "relapse is part of recovery," any relapse compromises the integrity of the program and there also must be strong sanctions against relapse. Cooper's sanction is expulsion. No exceptions. (Cooper will provide referral to detoxification cernters and other programs at the time of expulsion.)

While in the program, residents will treated with respect at all times. In turn, residents will be expected to always demonstrate respect, not only for Staff, but for all other residents of Cooper.

Two Program Options

A. REGULAR Options Program: Resident will spend 7 to 10 days confined to Program Campus in total Program Immersion, then for the remainder of the term be permitted to leave the Program Campus during regular work hours for verifiable employment. Resident must return to Program Campus immediately after work. Program activity shall be conducted each day prior to work, each evening, and throughout the weekend.

B. ACCELERATED Options Program: By express order of Court only. Admission not later than Friday evening preceding first Monday of Program/Work Furlough participation. After first Campus confined immersion weekend, resident will be allowed to participate in regular Options Program/Work Furlough.

Sober Living Facilities & After Care

At the completion of the Options Program, Cooper can provide "After Care" with over 100 beds in Sober Living facilities at various locations. (This package makes Cooper Fellowship Orange County's Largest Residential Recovery Provider.) However, Sober Living is not recommended as the singular component for any alternative sentencing. Sober Living is recommended only as part of a comprehensive After Care program, not as primary therapy.