Sober house certification in Massachusetts is managed 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. NARR’s mission is to improve access to quality recovery residences through these standards, education, and advocacy. The drug addiction treatment Massachusetts NARR State affiliate plays a pivotal role in the recovery housing landscape, ensuring that individuals seeking sobriety have access to safe, supportive environments. Recovery housing is crucial for individuals transitioning from addiction treatment to independent living. In Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH) is the designated affiliate of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR), which sets national standards for recovery residences.

• This tool is an invaluable resource to those considering operating in the state because you can use it to better understand the market and identify holes in the state’s offerings.
• NARR has since released two updates to the standards, first in October 2015 and then in 2018.
• Certified sober homes alcoholism symptoms have comfortable spaces for living, sleeping, and engaging with peers, all of which make them valuable and safe spaces for recovery.
• If there are any changes to the sober home policies or sober home management, please notify MASH to update our files.
• Verification that kitchen and dining area(s) are large enough to accommodate all residents sharing meals together.15.d.
• 29.d Documentation that residents are formally linked with the community such as job search, education, family services, health and/or housing programs.

Delta® TL-3 Crash Cushion

Insurance companies often prefer referring clients to certified sober homes because these facilities are more likely to provide positive outcomes at lower costs compared to repeated inpatient treatments. Resource directories, written or electronic, are made available to residents.22.b. A policy and practice documenting that a resident is fully informed regarding refund policies prior to the individual entering into a binding agreement.3.d. A policy and practice that residents be informed of payments from 3rd party payers for any fees paid on their behalf.

Point Compliance Checklist:

The mission of the MASH is to support individuals in recovery by ensuring access to high-quality sober living environments. MASH is dedicated to promoting the health, safety, and well-being of residents through rigorous certification standards that align with the National Alliance for Recovery Residences. These standards ensure that sober homes provide safe, structured, and supportive environments crucial for long-term recovery.

» Certified Sober Homes

Operator will attest that electrical, mechanical, and structural components of the property are functional and free of fire andsafety hazards. Evidence that supervisors (including top management) create a positive, productive work environment for staff. Cultural responsiveness and competence training or certification are provided. Evidence that management supports staff members maintaining self-care.9.b. Evidence that staff are supported in maintaining appropriate boundaries according to a code of conduct.9.c.

MASH 101 for Potential Operators

MASH maintains a master list of all sober homes that it has certified in Massachusetts. This list currently contains 177 entries. It is searchable by name, region, town, zip code and type of service offered. This tool is an invaluable resource to those considering operating in the state because you can use it to better understand the market and identify holes in the state’s offerings.

• Beware NIMBY resistance to sober living homes in Massachusetts.
• Provide structured scheduled, curriculum-driven, and/or otherwise defined support services and life skills development.
• Vanderburgh Sober Living (VSL) is a network of independently operated sober homes organized and supported by The Vanderburgh Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 Charitable Foundation.
• However, there are benefits to doing so.
• Prior to the initial acceptance of any funds, the operator must inform applicants of all fees and charges for which they will be, or could potentially be, responsible.
• Today, we’ll take a deep dive into everything you need to know about opening your sober living home in Massachusetts.

NARR has since released two updates to the standards, first in October 2015 and then in 2018. The third 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. Staff and/or resident leaders educate residents about local community-based resources. Evidence that residents increase recovery capital through such things as recovery support and community service, work/employment, etc.

• MASH-certified homes play an integral role in the continuum of care by offering a bridge between clinical treatment settings and independent living.
• In Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH) is the designated affiliate of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR), which sets national standards for recovery residences.
• Staff and/or resident leaders educate residents about local community-based resources.
• This is not usual in Massachusetts, where the broader community is skeptical about recovery housing.
• This information needsto be in writing and signed by the applicant.
• Policy regarding smoke‐free living environment and/or designated smoking area outside of the residence.

29.d Documentation that residents are formally linked with the community such as job search, education, family services, mash certified sober homes health and/or housing programs. Verification that a meeting space is large enough to accommodate all residents.15.b. Verification that a comfortable group area provides space for small group activities and socializing15.c. Verification that kitchen and dining area(s) are large enough to accommodate all residents sharing meals together.15.d.

• This has provided a significant step toward the implementation of MASH.
• 10.a Policies that value individuals chosen for leadership roles who are versed and trained in the Social Model of recovery and best practices of the profession.
• We are active from the local to the state level, continuously advocating mash sober houses for the rights of sober home residents and operators.
• It is searchable by name, region, town, zip code and type of service offered.

Step-by-Step Guide for Affiliates

Presence and participation are required for both days to receive a certificate of attendance which is required for certification. On November 12, 2015, FHWA issued a memorandum indicating that all modifications to NCHRP 350-tested devices will require testing under MASH in order to receive a Federal-aid eligibility letter from FHWA. In addition, a Federal Register Notice was also issued regarding this action. This has provided a significant step toward the implementation of MASH.

In July 2014, Massachusetts passed legislation that mandates the monitoring and voluntary certification of Massachusetts sober homes. 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.

You don’t have to get certified to open a sober living home in Massachusetts. However, there are benefits to doing so. Sober homes applying for annual recertification must remit payment of certification fees during the recertification process and prior to scheduling the home inspection. 24.b Ongoing performance support and training are provided for staff.