Don’t see what you’re looking for or want to know more? Please don’t hesitate to contact us. Evidence that mechanisms exist for residents to inform and help guide operations and advocate for community-building. Policy regarding smoke‐free living environment and/or designated smoking area outside of the residence.
She’s not sure how her policy on relapses fits in. It’s a complex issue. Relapse is generally accepted as a natural part of recovery. A first relapse would be handled through peer counseling.
A History of the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing
- Certified sober homes have comfortable spaces for living, sleeping, and engaging with peers, all of which make them valuable and safe spaces for recovery.
- Verification that each resident has food storage space.
- What’s the difference between a sober home and a recovery residence?
- The VSL and Vanderburgh House ™ brands are used with permission by VSL Chartered Operators.
Evidence that supervisors (including top management) create a positive, productive work environment for staff. Evidence that residents have opportunities to be heard in the governance of the residence; however, decision making remains with the operator. A policy and practice that residents be informed of payments from 3rd party payers for any fees paid on their behalf. A policy and practice documenting that a resident is fully informed regarding refund policies prior to the individual entering into a binding agreement. Once all of your required documents have been submitted and accepted by MASH, the next step is scheduling your on-site home inspection.
The third mash certified sober homes version of the NARR standards provides more explicit guidance to providers, including metrics for evaluating the peer support components of a residence’s recovery environment. Sober house certification in Massachusetts is administered by the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH), the state affiliate of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR). NARR plays a pivotal role in shaping recovery housing across the United States by setting the national standards that affiliates like MASH implement.
Effective September 1, 2016, state agencies and their vendors shall only be able to refer clients to certified alcohol and drug free (ADF) housing. Any home not certified will not be able to accept clients from state agencies until certified. A contract was awarded to the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH) to be the certifying body, and the training and technical assistance vendor.
This application collects important information about your home, your organization, and your commitment to meeting MASH standards. During the inspection, MASH reviewers will assess your home’s physical condition, review documentation, and interview you and/or your peer leaders to ensure that policies are being implemented as written. This training can be done during your certification process while you prepare documents and get ready for your inspection. Our mission at NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR RECOVERY RESIDENCES (NARR) is to enhance access to quality recovery residences by setting standards, providing education, and advocating for those in addiction recovery.
From the Massachusetts Alliance of Sober Housing website:
For example, the organization has facilitated significant investments in the expansion of permanent supportive housing across Massachusetts. Through these grants, MASH addresses critical needs, including helping individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness find stable housing. Job descriptions include staff responsibilities, eligibility, and knowledge, skills and abilities needed to deliver services. Ideally, eligibility to deliver services includes lived experience recovering from substance use disorders and the ability to reflect recovery principles. In 2007, eight sober home operators established the nonprofit Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing.
Verification that furnishings are typical of those in single family homes or apartments as opposed to institutional settings. Cultural responsiveness and competence training or certification are provided. Policies and procedures that serve the priority population, which at a minimum include persons in recovery from substance use but may also include other demographic criteria. Evidence that some rules are made by the residents that the residents (not the staff) implement. Policies and procedures regarding collection of resident’s information. At minimum, data collection will protect individual’s identity, be used for continuous quality improvement, be part of day-to-day operations, and regularly reviewed by staff and residents (where appropriate).
- Any home not certified will not be able to accept clients from state agencies until certified.
- Read more about the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR), including its history, standards, and impact on recovery housing nationwide.
- Policies and procedures that keep residents’ records secure, with access limited to authorized staff.
- They tend to reach capacity shortly after they are announced, so we strongly recommend registering to attend this training as soon as possible to ensure that you are able to get a seat.
Sober homes support various abstinence-based pathways to recovery, and each residence focuses on one or more particular pathway. All MASH sober homes meet national standards based on the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) model. Boston Sober Homes is a M.A.S.H certified sober housing company for those who are serious about their recovery and sobriety. Our mission is to provide clean, comfortable accommodations in a positive environment for those looking to live a sober lifestyle.
MASH Certified Sober Homes
Verification that a meeting space is large enough to accommodate all residents. Policies and procedures for ongoing performance development of staff appropriate to staff roles and residence level. Evidence that staff are encouraged to have a network of support. Evidence that residents’ recovery progress and challenges are recognized and strengths are celebrated.
☑️ The Steps to Certifying a Sober House in Massachusetts
NARR’s mission is to improve access to quality recovery residences through these standards, education, and advocacy. What’s the difference between a sober home and a recovery residence? In Massachusetts, sober homes and recovery residences are different models for substance abuse recovery.
Beacon of Light – York Chester Men’s Recovery House – Vanderburgh Sober Living
Certified sober homes have comfortable spaces for living, sleeping, and engaging with peers, all of which make them valuable and safe spaces for recovery. Assemblyman Matt Haney (D-San Francisco), who supports the state’s “housing first” policy, is now pushing legislation that would amend it to allow funding of sober living homes. The bill, AB 255, would authorize local jurisdictions to channel up to a fourth of their state homelessness funds to residential programs that practice sobriety. An earlier version in the last legislative session died in the Appropriations Committee. Haney has made changes to quell opposition, and the new bill has passed through the Assembly’s housing and health committees. It’s now in Appropriations.
Join our sober living community or refer a client, family member, or friend. Submit an application online and receive a call back within 24 hours. Read more about the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR), including its history, standards, and impact on recovery housing nationwide.
MASH serves as the primary agency for accountability of all certified homes in Massachusetts. With no access to the formal housing system it could be problematic. So far, Golden’s residents who graduated have found new homes through her informal recovery network. Another option she hasn’t had to use yet is SHARE! SHARE! Supports recovery meetings across the county and leases about 40 single-family homes that provide low-cost housing in shared bedrooms with peer counseling support.
MASH’s recovery values emphasize health, home, purpose, and community. MASH’s recovery values emphasize health, home, purpose, and community. Through our network of certified sober housing and empirically-based recovery principles, MASH’s goal is to help create and foster safe living environments for those with substance use disorders.
The rationale is that there should be no condition, such as religious indoctrination or required sobriety, on a homeless person receiving housing. Provide structured scheduled, curriculum-driven, and/or otherwise defined support services and life skills development. Trained staff (peer and clinical) provide learning opportunities. Grievance policy and procedures, including the right to take grievances that are not resolved by the house leadership to the operation’s oversight organization for mediation.