Archive for month: June, 2023

Schedule a consultation with VSL. 27.e Documentation that resident and staff engage in community relations and interactions to promote kinship with other recovery communities and goodwill for recovery services. 27.d Documentation that residents are formally linked with the community such as job search, education, family services, health and/or housing programs. 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.

Massachusetts NARR State Affiliate: A Comprehensive Guide for Entrepreneurs, Healthcare Providers, and Administrators

Residents are linked to mutual aid, recovery activities and recovery advocacy opportunities. Community gatherings, recreational events and/or other social activities occur periodically. Documentation that residents are oriented to emergency procedures. Documentation that emergency contact alcohol rehab information is collected from residents.

• Amenities include on site laundry, air conditioning, parking, full kitchens, living/dining rooms and quick access to public transportation.
• We regularly inspect all member sober homes to ensure safety, quality, and the building of a community of recovery.
• A significant milestone in MASH’s history occurred in 2011 when the National Alliance for Recovery Residences was founded.
• Verification that laundry services are accessible to all residents.
• Submit an application online and receive a call back within 24 hours.

Certifying a sober house with MASH

It is a feeling.”  Our certified sober homes take pride in offering a home-like environment that supports recovery. Healthcare providers benefit from referring patients to MASH-certified homes because these facilities adhere to national standards that promote patient safety and well-being. Providers can be confident that patients will receive continued support post-treatment. Vanderburgh House Operators are the largest providers of MASH Certified sober houses in Massachusetts.

Supporters say it’s a bold and necessary move, while critics say it criminalizes homelessness

Evidence that staff are supported in maintaining appropriate boundaries according to a code of conduct. Evidence that management supports staff members maintaining self-care. Policies and procedures that promote resident-driven length of stay. Policies protecting resident and community privacy and confidentiality. Use of an accounting system which documents all resident financial transactions such as fees, payments and deposits.

The 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. As of 2023, MASH oversees over 180 certified sober homes in the state, providing essential oversight and support to ensure these homes meet rigorous safety and ethical standards MASH – Standards. The mission of the MASH is to support individuals in recovery by ensuring access to high-quality sober living environments.

In Massachusetts, sober homes and recovery residences are different models for substance abuse recovery. Recovery residences — formerly known as halfway houses — are licensed residential treatment programs, while Massachusetts sober homes are peer-led and do not provide treatment. Sober homes provide mutual support, emphasize independent living skills, and depend on peer leadership. They are not licensed and are not funded by the state. The National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) is a nonprofit organization that promotes quality standards for recovery housing across the United States.

• Policy and procedures that address residents’ prescription and non-prescription medication usage and storage consistent with the residence’s level and with relevant state law.
• NARR established national standards for recovery residences, which MASH adopted and tailored to meet the specific needs of Massachusetts.
• MASH serves as the primary agency for accountability for all certified sober homes in Massachusetts.
• An increase in beds will require an additional inspection to the sober home.
• Our mission is to provide clean, comfortable accommodations in a positive environment for those looking to live a sober lifestyle.

NARR began to affiliate with state-level organizations to promote evidence-based standards for sober houses and other residential recovery programs and centers. MASH is affiliated with NARR and helps promote these standards at sober houses across Massachusetts. MASH-certified homes play an integral role in the continuum of care by offering a bridge between clinical treatment settings and independent living.

Sober homes applying for annual recertification must remit payment of certification fees during the recertification process and prior to scheduling the home inspection. 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. Policy and procedures that address residents’ prescription and non-prescription medication usage and storage consistent with the residence’s level and with relevant state law. Evidence that supervisors (including top management) create a positive, productive work environment for staff.