Frequently Asked Questions

1. What services do you provide?
   • Case management by two Licensed Social Workers
   • Connections to Community Resources
   • Evening Programming
   • Individual Service Plans
   • Weekly Meetings
   • Maternal/Infant Programming
   • Independent Living Skills Programming
   • 24-hour Staff
   • Structured Living
   • Decision Making
   • Transitional Planning
   • Child Birth Education
     
     
2. How long can a woman stay?
   A woman can come to New Beginnings at any time during her pregnancy. If a woman chooses to parent her child she is able to stay six months to one year after the birth of her child. If a woman chooses adoption as her parenting plan she can stay up to forty-five days after the birth of her child.
   
   New Beginnings provides the resources and support to assist women through the decision-making process. If they are unsure if parenting or making an adoption plan, the woman will meet with staff and community resources.
   
   
3. What are the living quarters like?
   New Beginnings is housed in a former convent. It is a three-story building. The top floor has six resident rooms and six baby rooms, along with a large living room. The main floor of the building is mainly office space with three resident rooms. The bottom floor includes the dining room, kitchen, a living room, exercise area, and the computer area. New Beginnings also has an enclosed courtyard.
   
   
   
   
4. What will I bring with me if I were a new resident?
   New Beginnings' resident rooms come fully furnished. In each resident room there is a twin bed (with bedding), chest of drawers, closet, sink, desk, and a chair. Each room is decorated a little differently, but all has the same basic furniture.
   
   
5. How much does it cost?
   New Beginnings does not turn anyone away because of an inability to pay. If a resident is a minor (under the age of 18) their parent's income will be taken into consideration when establishing a fee. There are predetermined amounts in place for women whose main source of income is provided by the state. New Beginnings encourages employment, a portion of a woman's paycheck will be paid for program fees.
   
   
6. Do you provide daycare?
   New Beginnings does not provide daycare. There are some school options in the area that do provide daycare for the students. There is also Daycare Assistance available through the County for those who qualify. St. Cloud and the surrounding area have many great daycare providers to choose from. New Beginnings also has volunteer babysitters that are available for the residents to utilize for appointments, programming, etc.
   
   
7. Do you provide food?
   New Beginnings does provide an evening meal for all residents Sunday through Thursday. The residents plan the meals and take turns cooking for the rest of the house. Breakfast, lunch and weekend meals need to be self provided by the women. There is a pantry of donated food items that is available for the residents. There is also WIC (Women, Infant and Children) and food assistance available for those who qualify.
   
   
8. When can I see my family and friends?
   New Beginnings program strives for independence of all residents. New Beginnings is open to having visitors in the building with prior approval from staff. There are also weekend passes available for all residents, so they can leave the program from Friday until Sunday at 6pm to spend time with friends and family.
   
   
9. Do you provide transportation?
   Most of New Beginnings residents rely on the St. Cloud Metro Bus System. We are located on the bus line, making riding the bus easy and convenient for the residents. Taxicabs are also available for hire. New Beginnings does not pay for bus passes or cabs. On occasion, New Beginnings is able to provide a volunteer driver for residents. Residents are able to have their own personal car at New Beginnings.
   
   
10. What does Christian Environment mean?
    Christian environment means that we treat everyone with respect. We have bibles in each room for individual use, but we do not have bible study. We have spirituality programming (Soul Shaping) twice a month, but attendance is optional. If you request your mentor be of a specific faith, we will try our best to match a mentor to your request.
    
    
11. What if I have other children?
    New Beginnings is licensed for babies up to the age of one. A woman should be a first time mom or have made other living arrangements for her children while she is a resident in the program. Other children are able to visit the mother while at New Beginnings with prior staff approval.