What To Bring

All Copper Hills Youth Center employees and students have a right to a safe and healthy treatment environment, free from fear that dangerous or potentially dangerous items are available in the environment. Contraband items are prohibited at Copper Hills. Controlled items are allowed but must be controlled and accounted for by unit staff. In the event that illegal contraband is discovered, the appropriate authorities will be notified. All contraband will be removed from the facility; items of value will be mailed to student’s guardian.

In an effort to create a safe and healthy environment for students and staff, the contraband and controlled items list has been reviewed and revised. As part of that list, we have divided items into five categories. The intent of this list is to create clarification about what items are allowed in the building and in what areas of the building they are allowed. It would not be possible to list every item that should be on this list. Copper Hills expects their employees to be safety minded and remove any potential hazards from the building or patient care areas.

Category 1 is considered contraband.

1. These items are never allowed in the building.

Categories 2–5 are controlled items.

2. Staff-Handled Only—Items that staff may use/handle, but students may not. These items are stored out of Patient Care Areas when not in use.

3. Check-Out/Check-In—Items that may be used in Patient Care Areas but stored in sharps rooms or other locked areas. Students may check these items out from staff and must return them to staff immediately after use. Use of some of these items may be based on student’s phase.

4. Non-Patient Care Areas—These items may be used by staff or students but may not be in patients’ living areas. Patient Care Areas include sharps rooms, unit day lounges, hallways, and bedrooms.

5. Direct Supervision—Some items are appropriate for student use, but require continuous supervision. Students may use these items with a staff member watching them the entire time and then returning the item to a Non-Patient Care Area.

Contraband—Items that are Never Allowed in the Building

Bleach cleaning wipes
Barrettes
Bobby/hair pins
Hair bands (unbreakable)
Hair clips (all types)
Headbands
Scrunchies
Metal hair comb/brush/pick
Eyebrow liner sharpeners
Eyeliner pencils
Loofa
Metal nail file
Personal mirrors including compacts
Shaving lotions/creams/caustic liquids
Twistable chap sticks
Mouthwash, perfume, cologne, body spray with alcohol as 1 of the first 3 ingredients
Hair weaves
Acrylic Nails
Bristle Hairbrushes
Compressed cans/Aerosol
Body piercing jewelry—metal, wood, or hard plastic
Rings
Bracelets that are not rubber
Necklaces
Watches
Ties or drawstrings
Attached metal studding or beads
Bikinis
Bras with underwire, clips, or metal (sports bras only)
Clothing that displays or implies substance abuse, vulgarity/swearing, deviant or sexual
behavior, gang, violent or inappropriate message, or occult worship
Handkerchiefs/do-rags
Bandanas
Heavy-soled, steel-toe shoes or shoes with heels
Nylons, tights, leggings, knee socks
Compression Clothing
Hoodies
Scarves
Spaghetti strap tank tops
Thong/G-string underwear
Tight or revealing clothing (anything that shows cleavage, midriff, or buttocks)
Hand-held sharpeners
Toxic glue
Rubber bands
Colored pencils
Boondoggle
Pipe cleaner
Magnets
Afghans, crocheted blankets, throws, non-fire retardant blankets
Crocheted or knitted items
Crochet hooks, craft needles
Books with inappropriate violent or sexual content or drug references
Personal sports equipment i.e. roller skates, bikes, skateboards, etc.
Personal electronics (iPod’s, cell phones, mp3, gaming systems, headphones)
Personal CDs, DVDs, and video games
Remote control cars
Personal magazines
Aluminum/metal cans (including soda cans)
Tobacco products
Firearms and/or ammunition
Glass items
Drug paraphernalia
Knives
Safety razors, razor blades, straight razors
Undocumented drugs or supplements (including over-the-counter medications)
Suckers/popsicles (anything with sticks
Yarn, ribbon or string over 6”
Shoelaces
Wire
Tin Containers
Small Bluetooth Speakers
Food in bedrooms
Spiral notebooks
Pencils
Belts
Ring Binders
Skirts/Dresses
Tennis Balls/Handballs/Rubber Bouncy Balls
Balls that light up
Homemade food items
Orbeez
Polymer items/toys
Flip Flops (Slides are okay)

Items that are Staff-Handled Only

Items that staff may use/handle, but students may not. These items are stored out of Patient Care Areas when not in use.

Facility-approved cleaning supplies
Air freshener in a plastic pump container
Foot powders
Q-tips (for medical purposes by nursing staff only)
Hair dye (for use by a CHYC-contracted and licensed cosmetologist)
Hand sanitizer
Clipboards
Toxic, sharpie, or any non- washable non-toxic markers
Pens
Electronic equipment
Lighters/matches (for smudging only)
Medical supplies in metal containers (for nurse’s storage and use only)

Items that are to be Checked Out/Checked In

Items that may be used in Patient Care Areas but stored in sharps rooms or other locked areas. Students may check these items out from staff and must return them to staff immediately after use. Use of some of these items may be based on student’s phase.

Non-bleach cleaning wipes
All allowed hygiene items
All allowed makeup (retractable eyeliner allowed)
Hair Brush
Curling iron, flat iron, crimp iron, blow dryer
Electric razor
Hair gel
Face wash
Lotion
Mouth wash
Plastic comb
Soap, body wash
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Floss less than 6” (to be stored in the nurses station and thrown away in front of staff )
Hair chalk
Hats or beanies (worn outside of the building only)
Sunglasses (worn outside of the building only)
Heavy winter coats
Bendy pens and bendy pencils
Crayons
Envelopes (obtained and returned to therapists)
Non-toxic glue
Washable, non-toxic markers
Oil pastels
Paint brushes
Non-toxic paint
Pencils—school classes only
Magazines for activities
Unit mp3 player (no headphones)
Games with small pieces
Personal plastic storage containers
Smudging materials
Food outside of the cafeteria (stored in Non-Patient Care Areas)
Legos

Items that are for Non-Patient Care Areas Only

These items may be used by staff or students but may not be in patients’ living areas. Patient Care Areas include sharps rooms, unit day lounges, hallways, and bedrooms.

Nail polish and nail polish remover (to be used in therapist office only)
Perfume, cologne (to be used and stored in therapist’s office only)
Rosary beads, crosses, medicine bags and dream catchers (therapist’s office only)
Binder clips
Paperclips
Regular scissors
Staples
Pens and pencils for special use by students (treatment plan signing, academic testing)
Students’ personal musical instruments (therapist’s office only)
Employees’ legal personal medications or supplements
Employees’ tobacco products
Employees’ lighters or matches
Money

Items to be used under Direct Supervision

Some items are appropriate for student use, but require continuous supervision. Students may use these items with a staff member watching them the entire time and then returning the item to a Non-Patient Care Area.

Tweezers and nail clippers (to be stored in the nursing station)
Non-metal nail file
Safety craft scissors

One Call Is All It Takes

If your adolescent is struggling with a primary psychiatric disorder, including autism spectrum disorder, treatment at Copper Hills Youth Center could help change their lives. Don’t wait, call 800-776-7116 today.