____ Medications:  If you currently are taking prescribed medication, please bring a 30-day supply at the minimum. Staff will review all 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

____ 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 clothes hangers if you wish to hang clothing; bedrooms are designed with 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:  MECCA has alarm clocks you may check out, you may bring your own if you choose. 
Please note: the alarm clock must not have any CD or radio attached.

____ Phone card:   If you wish to make phone calls. Phones are available for local calls

____ Fees: If you have insurance, please bring a copy of your insurance card. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify. You will need to provide income verification in order to determine your eligible aid. This can be done by bringing a current pay stub, unemployment information and/or obtaining financial verification from the nearest Workforce Center. Please bring this information with you on the day of admission. MECCA does accept partial payment through food stamps. If you currently have food stamps, you may wish to bring your card. MECCA will also assist you in applying for food stamps if you are eligible. You will be expected to make payments while in treatment, based on your assessed ability to do so. As partial payment for the cost of your services, please bring a minimum of $60 to pay on your bill.

____ Tobacco Products: If you smoke, please bring a month’s supply as MECCA does not sell tobacco products.  The opportunity to leave the facility to purchase tobacco products will not be provided during your course of treatment. Cigarettes must be in unopened packs, and all other tobacco products must be in sealed containers. It is expected you will refrain from sharing tobacco products with others during your stay. This may be a good time to cut down or quit smoking, our staff can assist if you desire.

____ Physical & TB Test: You are required to have a physical and tuberculosis 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. In our Iowa City location, we will make arrangements with the Iowa City Fee Medical Clinic; The Free Medical Clinic will complete this service for $20 for non-Johnson County residents.  In our Des Moines location, we will make arrangements with Primary Health Care; Primary Health Care will complete this service for $20.00.    

____ MP3 and other portable music players: These devices are acceptable provided they are absent 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 unavoidable, we request proof of a valid driver's license, registration, and car insurance. Vehicles on MECCA property will be searched by MECCA 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 desire to write letters during your stay

____ Money: MECCA will provide a place to lock up your money, we advise valuables are left at home. You may wish to bring change for pop, and the pay phones ~ we do not keep change on hand for these purposes. You may bring a phone card.

____ Cell Phones: Cell phone use is not allowed while in residential services. Should you choose to bring, please understand your phone 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 unit is limited, please pack carefully and minimally.
Due to limited space, please be aware items abandoned for more than two weeks will be donated or destroyed.

The following items may NOT be brought to MECCA:

• Weapons or tools
• 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 remover
• Drug paraphernalia
• Glue, paint
• Diet aids
• Glass containers
• Cell phones, pagers, computers
   

Additional notes:

• VISITORS: We encourage your friends and family members to be a part of your treatment experience.
  Your counselor must approve all visitors before visiting day.
  In Iowa City, our visiting hours are Saturday from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
  In Des Moines, our visiting hours are from 1 to 4:30.

If you have questions, please contact us at:
Des Moines Residential: (515) 262-0349
Iowa City Residential: (319) 351-4357
 

Handout in PDF

Revised 4/11