1. What is the Fellowship Center? The Fellowship Center is a long-term
residential recovery home for the treatment of alcohol
and drugs. Participants are there on a volunteer-basis
and are committed to rebuilding their lives.
2. Where will the proposed Oceanside Fellowship Center
be located? The Fellowship Center, proposed
for the City of Oceanside, would be located on approximately
one-acre at 4152 Mission Avenue.
3. How is the Fellowship Center regulated? Is it licensed? The Fellowship Center is licensed
and regulated through the Sate of California's Department
of Alcohol and Drug Programs - Residential and Outpatient
Compliance Branch. A license renewal is required every
two years. Currently the City of Oceanside does not have
a state-licensed, long-term residential recovery home
for men.
4. Is an alcohol and drug treatment home compatible with
a residential community? Treatment homes often generate
unfounded concerns by members of the community that they
are bad neighbors. Unfortunately these myths are usually
spread by people with little or no factual information.
A treatment home that is licensed by the Department of
Alcohol and Drug Programs is required to follow Good Neighbor
Guidelines to create and maintain positive relationships
in the community. Often times, treatment homes are some
of the best neighbors in a community because of their
participation in neighborhood organizations such as neighborhood
watch, ordinance assistance, litter and graffiti removal,
adopt a highway and many more. The Fellowship Center also
has strict guidelines not imposed on its residential neighbors
that require the treatment home to be physically maintained
in a manner that does credit to the neighborhood, which
include adhering to community standards for landscaping,
painting and décor.
PUBLIC PERCEPTION
VS. EXPERIENCE WITH DATA ON LICENSED PROGRAMS
Main Areas of Expressed Concern
5. Will the Fellowship Center cause a drop in property
values within the surrounding community? The Fellowship Center has plans
for a $1.5 million high-quality residential facility that
will complement the surrounding neighborhood and historical
buildings. Any claims that a treatment center causes a
drop in property values is unfounded. According to the
American Planning Association, more than 50 studies have
been conducted on the impact of property values in communities
with group homes and researchers have discovered that
group homes and halfway houses do not affect property
values of even the house next door. They have learned
that these residences are often the best maintained properties
on the block.
6. Is it safe for the Fellowship Center to be located
so close to schools and the elderly? The Fellowship Center in Escondido
is located within a close proximity to several schools,
businesses, residents and places of worship and is proud
of the excellent reputation they have established within
the community. The Fellowship Center has received many
commendations from the City of Escondido and service groups
for their excellent service to the community. Any claim
that residential treatment homes are unsafe is based on
stereotypical assumptions.
Number
of Children's Services within a Two Block Radius
of Licensed
Residential Alcohol & Drug Treatment Programs
in San Diego County* All 76 licensed residential
alcohol and drug treatment programs in San Diego
County were surveyed**
Type of Community Service
Type of Community Service
Type of Community Service
Schools
50
66%
Places of worship
70
92%
Community & recreation centers
33
43%
Parks
23
30%
Child/Day Care Centers & Preschools
37
49%
Youth Centers
28
37%
7. What types of patients
are treated at the Fellowship Center? Is it mandatory? People seeking treatment from
the Fellowship Center have a desire to live alcohol and
drug free lives. Patients are there voluntarily, but in
order to remain, must adhere to strict guidelines. A rigorous
schedule is implemented daily that focuses on the experience
necessary to return to the community as an active participant
and contributor.
8. Will the Fellowship Center have an effect on crime
in the area? Studies have demonstrated that
incidents of crime by participants in a treatment facility
are far less than the general population. A recent study
conducted by the State of Illinois compared the incidence
of crime committed by those living in group homes to the
general population. The study revealed that only 18 of
every 1,000 residents in a group home committed some crime,
while in the general population, that number was 112 for
every 1,000 residents. Treatment homes do not have an
impact on crime in the neighborhoods where they are located.
9. Where will patients go when they are released from
treatment? Once a participant demonstrates
sobriety, responsibility and accountability they can regain
their station in life for the benefit of themselves, their
families, employers and their communities. Many times
participants return to the Fellowship Center as volunteers
or join other community based human service agencies.
10. What are the next steps in the approval process? The Fellowship Center submitted
an application in March 2007 for a Conditional Use Permit,
Zone Change and General Plan amendment to allow for a
licensed men's recovery home in the City of Oceanside.
The plans were reviewed and returned with additional issues
to address. The Fellowship Center has been working on
issues of concern with its neighbors and will address
potential issues through the development plans. The Fellowship
Center will resubmit its application in July 2007.
Learn
More About our Proposed Oceanside Facility.Click
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