Displaying items by tag: recommended practices

by Valerie Harkins, Executive Director of the Maternity Housing Coalition

Running a Christian maternity home is a sacred calling—one that requires wisdom, discernment, and an ever-present commitment to the well-being of the women we serve. However, the complexity of house rules and resident handbooks can sometimes hinder rather than help. As leaders, it is essential to periodically review and simplify our guidelines to ensure they align with our mission, support trauma-informed care, and create a healthier environment for both residents and staff.

The Benefits of Fewer, More Impactful Rules

Maternity homes often accumulate an extensive list of rules over time, each intended to address specific behaviors or concerns. While structure is necessary, an overabundance of rules can create confusion, resistance, and an atmosphere of legalism rather than transformation. Research in trauma-informed care suggests that individuals who have experienced significant hardship—such as those in crisis pregnancies—respond better to environments that prioritize clarity, consistency, and emotional safety over rigid control (SAMHSA, 2014).

Here’s why fewer, well-enforced rules lead to better outcomes:

1. Increased Adherence – Too many rules can overwhelm residents, leading them to disengage. Trauma-impacted individuals often struggle with authority due to past experiences; simple, clear expectations increase the likelihood of compliance (Bloom, 2010).
2. Enhanced Mission Alignment – Every rule should directly reflect your home’s mission. If a rule does not serve a clear and meaningful purpose, it may be more of a hindrance than a help.
3. Reduced Staff Burnout – Staff members are tasked with enforcing policies, and an overly complex rulebook increases their workload and stress. Simplified guidelines free them to focus on relationship-building and discipleship rather than constant policing.
4. Greater Resident Growth – A structured yet flexible environment allows residents to make meaningful choices, take personal responsibility, and develop life skills that will serve them beyond their time in your home.

Begin reviewing and simplifying your guidelines in four easy steps.

1. Evaluate Your Current Rules

A practical first step is to review each rule through the lens of your mission and impact. Ask:

• Does this rule directly support our core values?
• Is it necessary for safety, order, or spiritual growth?
• Is it enforceable in a fair and consistent way?
• Does it encourage autonomy and personal responsibility?
• Is it communicated clearly and simply?

Rules that do not meet these criteria may need to be revised or eliminated. This review should also include staff and, when appropriate, resident feedback to ensure rules are realistic and effective.

2. Review Your Rules' Biblical Foundation for Clarity and Integrity

Scripture speaks to the importance of simple, truthful, and consistent communication. Jesus instructs in Matthew 5:37, “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” A maternity home should be a place where both residents and staff trust that expectations are clear and that enforcement is fair. If rules are too numerous or inconsistently applied, trust erodes, leading to unnecessary conflict and stress.

Additionally, Colossians 3:21 warns, “Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.” While maternity home residents are not children, the principle remains: an environment with excessive, unclear, or inconsistently enforced rules can breed discouragement rather than growth.

3. Embrace the Role of Trauma-Informed Care

Trauma-informed care acknowledges that many maternity home residents have experienced significant emotional, physical, or spiritual wounds. A punitive, rigid structure often reinforces their past experiences of instability and rejection. Instead, clear and meaningful rules...

• promote predictability, which is crucial for emotional safety
• encourage respectful dialogue, rather than a power struggle
• allow natural consequences to shape growth instead of unnecessary punitive measures

By embracing a trauma-informed approach, maternity homes create an environment where healing is prioritized over control, ultimately leading to better long-term outcomes for residents.

4. Implement Thoughtful and Clear Communication

Once rules are streamlined, they must be communicated effectively. Consider implementing the following:

• A concise handbook that explains each rule’s purpose
• Regular orientation sessions to reinforce understanding
• A consistent enforcement approach so that residents know what to expect
• Opportunities for open discussion that allow residents to ask questions and seek clarification without fear

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1. SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach | SAMHSA Publications and Digital Products. (2014, October). Samhsa.gov. https://library.samhsa.gov/product/samhsas-concept-trauma-and-guidance-trauma-informed-approach/sma14-4884

‌2. Bloom, S. (2010). Organizational Stress as a Barrier to Trauma-Informed Service Delivery. Springer. https://connectingparadigms.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/21360-Organizational_Stress_as_a_Barrier_to_Trauma-Informed-Bloom.pdf

by Valerie Harkins, Executive Director of the Maternity Housing Coalition

In maternity housing, providing a safe and nurturing environment goes hand-in-hand with giving residents a voice. Honoring each woman’s dignity requires valuing her unique perspective and ensuring she feels heard. After all, the mission of a maternity home is to serve residents—not the other way around. This foundational commitment, established at incorporation and upheld for donors and constituents alike, keeps the organization focused on its true purpose: service through ministry to residents.

Structured resident surveys can be instrumental in fostering this environment. Anonymous surveys with open-ended questions allow residents to express their thoughts freely, supporting both transparency and safety. However, concerns inevitably arise: "What if residents lie or don’t tell the full story?" or "What if they manipulate responses to create triangulation?" Acknowledging these realities—along with the possibility that staff voices might go unheard—does not diminish the value of feedback. In fact, it strengthens it by promoting checks and balances between residents and staff. The survey process itself, done with integrity, serves as an accountability measure that protects both parties.

Beyond immediate insights, surveys reveal trends over time. While one resident’s perspective may be unique, repeated themes across surveys highlight patterns that can guide program adjustments. Additionally, survey data provides essential outcome measurements, serving as a valuable tool for evaluating program efficacy and reporting to donors, board members, and staff.

Example survey questions that invite honest reflection include:

• "What has your experience in the home been like this month?

• “What helped you?”

• “What did not help you?”

• “Did you feel safe this month? Why or why not?”

• “Is there anything on your mind that you’d like us to know that you might not feel comfortable sharing in person?”

• “What has your spiritual experience been like this month?”

• “Did you learn anything new this month? If so, what did you learn?”

• “What do you feel you need most right now?”

• “How was your sobriety journey this month?”

• “How many close friends do you have right now?”

• “What are your goals for the future?”

• "What do you feel you need most right now?"

Through structured feedback, maternity homes can fulfill their mission of dignified service, ensuring the organization remains a sanctuary of support, integrity, and growth.