Bernie Lorenz Recovery
Bernie Lorenz Recovery offers a home-like, substance-free living environment for women who have completed primary treatment and are preparing themselves to live independent, successful lives, free of substance use. Dignity and respect are the basis of the 60-90 day program designed specifically for women.
Discharge planning from the Bernie Lorenz Recovery program begins upon admission. Counselors assist the women in arranging for safe and appropriate living accommodations, finding employment and/or continuing their education, developing a budget, establishing structure for their daily schedule and support system, and enrolling in a continuing care program to maintain their abstinence from alcohol and drug use.
To refer a patient to Bernie Lorenz Recovery, please email info@bernielorenzrecovery.org.
Program
The purpose of the Bernie Lorenz Recovery (BLR) program is to increase opportunities for women in early recovery to build or rebuild healthy and successful lives. With the support of BLR staff, program participants will enhance their vocational skills and/or further their education to assist them in achieving financial stability. They will also improve life skills – such as parenting, job search and interviewing, meal planning and shopping, homemaking, and managing finances.
With the help of BLR’s professional staff, they will also have the opportunity to address personal challenges, many of which are associated with their drug and alcohol use, such as family reunification, self-esteem issues, physical and sexual abuse, grief and loss, spirituality, relationship issues, and physical and mental health concerns.
Prelude is proud to partner with Food Bank of Iowa and provide this link to a nondiscrimination statement of USDA.
What to Expect
The Bernie Lorenz Recovery program provides a home-like environment, combined with the best in therapeutic recovery services. Up to seventeen recovering women live together in this residential home and develop their skills in maintaining sobriety, homemaking, parenting, and general living. They focus on their recovery and benefit from programming in the following ways:
- Participate in individual and group therapies
- Complete their GED (if applicable)
- Pursue other educational goals and training
- Practice interviewing skills for employment
- Obtain meaningful employment
- Become financially responsible
- Obtain a 12 Step program sponsor
- Participate in 12 Step recovery meetings
- Obtain a physical exam for treatment of health concerns
- Obtain a psychiatric exam, if warranted, and/or counseling to treat mental health issues
- Obtain appropriate dental care for damage due to methamphetamine and other drug use
What to Bring
To help prepare you to enter services, we provide a listing of suggested items to bring with you. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call us.
What to Bring to Your First Visit
When you arrive at Prelude for your first visit, we ask that you bring with you:
- A picture ID, if you want a urinalysis test
- Insurance information
- Proof of Income (W-2, paystub, tax return will work)
- Seeking Services Forms
If you do not have any of these items, don’t worry! We’ll work with you to identify how to get the needed items once you arrive.
Packing For Residential Treatment
The following are suggested items to pack for treatment when entering our residential and halfway programs.
Medications
If you are currently taking prescribed medication, please bring a 30-day supply at the minimum. Medical staff will review all prescription and non-prescription medication during the course of your treatment stay. All prescription medication must be in its original container. Please bring any over-the-counter medications you anticipate needing. All medications will be kept in secure storage. Staff will assist you in receiving your medications at designated times. Please note that we may be unable to admit you if you do not bring a 30-day supply of your medications.
Clothing
7 days change of clothes (no clothing with drug, alcohol, gambling, or bar slogans), plus pajamas, robe, and slippers. Due to limited space, please minimize the amount of clothes you bring. Bring plastic clothes hangers if you wish to hang your clothing; our bedrooms have small closets.
Personal hygiene items
Non-aerosol, non-alcohol soap, deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, feminine hygiene products, shaving items. Disposable razors (no straight/removable blades), tweezers, nail clippers/files, curling irons, and hair dryers are allowed. These will be placed in secure storage; use of these items will be monitored by staff.
Alarm Clock
Please bring your own alarm clock if you would like one. We have a few on hand, but they are available on a first come, first serve basis only.
Phones
Phones are available for local and long distance calls.
Tobacco Products
Every program of Prelude is tobacco free. This includes all tobacco products and e-cigarette devices. Nicotine cessation is highly encouraged and the Prelude staff can help you make a plan to quit. We do allow nicotine replacement therapies that are FDA approved for assisting in tobacco cessation. You are encouraged to bring your own NRT (patches or lozenges only, no gum) for the duration of your stay.
Physical & TB Test
You are required to have a physical and tuberculosis (TB) test conducted no more than 90 days prior to admission or within 5 days of admission. If you have had a physical or a TB test recently, please bring documentation. If we are unable to obtain verification of a physical or a TB test prior to admission, you will be required to have one within 5 days.
Iowa City – In our Iowa City location, we will make arrangements with the Iowa City Fee Medical Clinic for uninsured clients. The Free Medical Clinic will provide this service at no cost for residents of Johnson County and for $20 for uninsured non-Johnson County residents. Patients with Medicaid (TXIX) or private health insurance will need to provide a current physical or bring $75 to have one completed at an urgent care clinic.
Des Moines – In our Des Moines location, we will make arrangements with Primary Health Care. Primary Health Care will provide this service for $20.00.
MP3 and other portable music players
These devices are acceptable, provided they do not have the ability to record in any way, including pictures, videos, or voice. Devices with these capabilities will be placed in secure storage and returned when you complete your stay with us.
Cars
If at all possible, please leave your vehicle at home, as parking space is limited. If bringing a vehicle is unavoidable, we request proof of a valid driver’s license, registration, and car insurance. Vehicles on Prelude property will be searched by Prelude staff to ensure safety.
Linens
Staff will provide you with one set of linens and a towel and washcloth for your stay. You are welcome to bring your own, if you would like more than one set.
Letters
Please bring letter writing materials, including stamps, if you would like to write letters during your stay.
Money
Prelude will provide a place to lock up your money. We advise leaving valuables at home. You may wish to bring change for pop. We do not keep change on hand for these purposes.
Cell Phones
Cell phone use is not allowed while in residential services. Should you choose to bring a phone, please understand that it will be locked up during your stay. You may request access to your phone if you need to obtain contact information.
Other Items
Space in our residential units is limited. Please pack carefully and minimally. Due to limited space, please be aware that items abandoned for more than one week will be donated or destroyed.
The following items may NOT be brought to Prelude:
- Weapons or tools
- Cigarettes, E-Cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and any other form of tobacco
- Food or beverages, candy, gum
- Marking pens, white-out
- Butane products, lighters filled with liquid fuel
- Cameras
- Razors with removable blades
- Hairspray, perfume, cologne, mouthwash, astringent, finger nail polish or polish remover
- Drug paraphernalia
- Glue, paint
- Diet aids
- Glass containers
- Cell phones, pagers, computers
- Pets
Cost of Services
Prelude Behavioral Services is a not-for-profit agency that prides itself on providing access to everyone seeking treatment. All fees for services are due at the time of service.
During your first visit, a staff member will work with you to find the appropriate financing option that best fits your needs, including establishing a payment plan.
Patient Payment
Prelude accepts personal checks, money orders, cashier checks, credit cards (VISA and Mastercard) and cash payments. Easy online payments can be made using a credit or debit card or PayPal.
Insurance
Prelude Behavioral Services is a provider for many insurance companies. Be sure to bring your insurance information with you to each visit. You are also encouraged to contact your insurance carrier to check on your policy’s coverage before your first visit. Prelude is a provider for Title XIX (Medicaid). Prelude is not a provider for Medicare. Persons covered by Medicare will be asked to apply for financial assistance and/or provide full payment for services.
Financial Assistance
For those who qualify, financial assistance for services is available. A financial assessment of resources and/or insurance is completed during your first visit. To be considered for financial assistance, please bring with you the following information for each person supporting your household:
- Payroll stubs from the previous month or most recent payroll stubs.
- Income verification from The Workforce Center.
- Documentation of other income, including but not limited to FIP, rental income, social security, unemployment, etc.