The first step is to call us! (802) 767-6000!
Eligibility
Alyssum is a voluntary peer-support program. There are no medical staff on our premises. Our intake criteria have been thoughtfully designed by our staff in an effort to keep everyone safe and comfortable. If you have questions or concerns about any of these criteria, please let us know.
All guests at Alyssum meet the following criteria:
1. You are not at immediate risk of acting upon suicidal thoughts. We support many people who have suicidal thoughts. We ask that you are able to feel safe here in our voluntary program without safety or wellness checks.
2. You have had no recent and/or recurring episodes of uncontrolled destructive behavior and/or violence.
3. You are not at risk of needing medical attention for self-harm.
Alyssum supports individuals who use self-harm as a coping technique, but we do not have medical staff on the premises. You must be able to safely manage this independently.
4. You are cognitively aware and desire voluntary healing in a self-directed alternative setting hosted by peers.
5. You are a Vermont resident with a place to return to after leaving Alyssum.
Alyssum supports unhoused individuals, but is not a housing program and cannot extend stays due to housing needs
6. You are able to be responsible for administering your own medications. Staff do not hold medications or administer them. Lock-boxes are provided if desired.
7. You are able to care for your own activities of daily living, meaning basic medical and physical self-care. We do not have nursing staff.
8. You are able to be free of alcohol and non-prescribed drugs while at Alyssum.
Guests using or under the influence of substances while at Alyssum will be asked to leave
9. You are not a registered sex offender.
10. You are 18 years or older.
Requesting a Stay at Alyssum
- Call (802) 767-6000 to speak with an Alyssum staff member. They can answer any questions and begin your intake process. Please note our staff are sometimes busy supporting people in the house or on the phone. If you don’t reach someone right away, please leave a message and we’ll call you back. The phone intake usually takes around 15-20 minutes. If you wish to bring your support or service animal, have dietary restrictions or medical conditions, let a staff person know during this time.
- Next, a licensed professional with whom you have recently worked must contact us on your behalf to complete a brief safety screening. This could be your doctor, therapist, case manager or similar professional who knows you well and can answer some basic questions about your current situation. If you don’t have anyone who can do this, let us know and we will do our best to help.
- Once we confirm your eligibility with the screening, you will go on our pending list. Wait times are typically around 2 weeks, but can vary depending on the number of individuals seeking beds at that time. Guests on the pending list are encouraged to check in weekly and may use our warm line for phone support.
- Alyssum staff will call to invite you and arrange your arrival when a spot becomes available. The invite is typically made the week before the opening.
- Upon arrival, guests complete the bedbug prevention procedure and arrival forms. As part of this process, guests will work with staff to develop goals and areas of focus for their stay. Following this, guests are free to utilize the house and settle into their rooms.
What to Bring
Please pack light (1-2 medium sized bags) and include only essential clothing, toiletries, medications, and needed personal/comfort items for your brief stay.
We respect your privacy: we do not do room or bag searches, however we do try to prevent bed bugs coming to visit! Bring only items that can go into the dryer for 60 minutes on high heat. Delicates, wool or non-dryable items should be left at home. We encourage you to visit the FAQs page, and to contact us with any questions.
Service and Therapy Animal Policy
Alyssum welcomes service dogs and emotional support, therapy, comfort, or companion dogs of any breed.
All support animals must be approved by house management prior to a guest’s stay and are considered on a case by case basis. Owners must complete an animal intake prior to their visit.
All animals must be under the control, care and supervision of their owner at all times. If the visiting animal is found to have behavioral, medical or care issues, they may be asked to leave immediately. Owner’s must designate an emergency/back up guardian for during their stay at Alyssum should this or another emergency arise.
*Alyssum does not allow cats on the premises due to frequent allergies
Bed Bug Prevention
- All clothing and fabric items must be run through a clothes dryer for a minimum of 60 minutes on high heat
- This includes, but is not limited to: Coats, sneakers, boots, hats, slippers, bags, backpacks, and purses
- If outdoor clothing or shoes cannot be dried in this way, they may be kept in the entryway but cannot be brought into the main living area
- Guests will take ALL items out of original bags, purses, backpacks, coat pockets etc. and they will place these items either into the dryer or totes provided for house use
- Other fabric or similar items that cannot be dried will be kept in an individually marked tote until departure. These items cannot enter the main living areas, and may only be accessed while accompanied by staff
- Exceptions: Personal items such as books, laptops, cigarettes, hygiene products, medications, and phones can enter the house after being visually inspected by staff
-Guests may choose to borrow a set of clothes while they wait for their clothes to dry, or they may wait for their own clothes to dry for 60 minutes before entering
-Guests may enjoy a snack or tea while waiting for the dryer and completing their intake paperwork
– All clothing, personal items, and luggage are handled only by the guest unless the guest specifically asks for help with sorting their items or using the dryer
-Alyssum is not responsible for damage to items that occurs during the bedbug prevention process
This stay at Alyssum was even more successful than most. (I am a repeater) — I learned to accept the need for self-acceptance through being thoroughly accepted for whatever my (healthy) needs were — especially the needs to be creative, with my limitations and to HAVE FUN!
To be able to curb my tendency to turn my anger at myself, and my limits turn at others, get a good head start — I intend to really work hard at this cause it makes me feel so much better about myself.
Are you ready for support?
WE'RE HERE FOR YOU