Welcome to
Marin Services for Women

You have made a very important decision to come to Marin Services for Women. In order to enable you to come prepared and know what to expect, we have compiled the following information to help you plan for your stay.

Client Rights and Confidentiality

Marin Services for Women treats clients, family members and staff with respect and provides a safe and supportive environment for your treatment.  Client rights and responsibilities are outlined in the handouts you receive during your initial intake.

Marin Services for Women is committed to respecting client confidentiality as mandated by state and federal laws.  Marin Services for Women upholds these standards in all communications and records.

Personal Belongings

We ask that you bring only two medium sized duffle/suitcases as space is very limited. Excess and/or inappropriate clothing will be to your family or support person(s).

• Regular dress at MSW is casual. Please refrain from bringing dressy or delicate material clothing with you (i.e.- silk, cashmere, etc.) Dry cleaning services are not available so wash & wear clothing is strongly recommended.
• Dress must be appropriate, i.e., clothing that depicts alcohol, drugs, sex, violence, gambling, or any clothing deemed inappropriate by staff is not allowed.
• Laundry facilities, including supplies are available for client use. Irons and ironing boards are also accessible. 
• Bring a jacket, sweatshirt, and/or sweater, raingear and umbrella depending on the time of year you attend.

Items to Leave at Home

At time of intake your belongings will be examined.  Certain items are not allowed at MSW.  If you bring an unacceptable item, it will be removed at staff discretion and is not negotiable.

PLEASE DO NOT BRING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

• Opened bottles of over-the-counter medications (including vitamins). We provide many approved over-the-counter medications and you may bring in approved medications in unopened bottles. 
• Controlled (addictive) meds, diet pills, laxatives, or medications with Psuedoephedrin.
• Any products containing alcohol. This includes hairspray, perfume, mouthwash, cough syrups, nail polish remover, etc.  Any products containing alcohol will be discarded.  Please return any valuable products (such as perfume) to your support person.  We cannot store any products containing alcohol.  Please also note that perfumes/colognes often do not have ingredients printed on the label—these products are still not allowed.
• Scented products. This includes oils, perfumes (with or without alcohol), strongly scented body lotion, etc.  Generic lotion with a minimal scent that dissipates is allowed.
• Any products containing dye, including hair dye, nail polish, paints, etc.  Any of these items brought in will be discarded.
• Personal food and snacks. There are vending machines and snacks are provided for residential clients.  Any snack items or beverages brought in without a doctor’s note will be discarded.  The only exception is a small quantity of hard candies.
• Computers, radios (other than small radios with headphones), video games, TVs, DVD players, and other larger items.

Valuables

• Items such as cell phones, jewelry, car/house keys, and other small items may be stored in the safe while you are here, but you will not have ready access to them.

Recommended Items to Bring

• Robe and slippers
• Personal Towel and washcloth
• Alarm Clock
• Stamps
• Envelopes
• Phone Card
• Quarters
• Flip Flops for Shower
• Journal and Pens
• Clothes Hangers
• Exercise Clothing
• One week worth of clothing (storage space is limited) and your own personal toiletries.
• Comfortable Shoes
• Insurance Card

Mothers with Children Must Provide the Following Items