VSL to support and equip operators to strengthen their local communities through effective sober housing. In Massachusetts, sober house certification is managed by the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH). As the state’s affiliate of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR), MASH ensures that sober living homes meet strict standards for safety, support, and structure. As we say often at MASH, “Home is not a place. It is a feeling.” Our certified sober homes take pride in offering a home-like environment that supports recovery.
B. Core Principle: Uphold Residents’ Rights
- A first relapse would be handled through peer counseling.
- MASH is an affiliate of NARR and used these standards to create Massachusetts standards for certified sober homes.
- VSL Chartered Operators gain access to a full library of proven templates, policies, forms, and supporting documents — resources that have helped our members successfully and easily obtain MASH certification.
- Our organization also provides supervision and training for sober homes, and maintains a database of more than 180 MASH-certified sober homes.
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. Recovery residences — formerly known as halfway houses — are licensed residential treatment programs, while Massachusetts sober homes are peer-led and do not provide treatment. 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.
It requires a harm reduction option to be available to anyone offered recovery housing. Relapse cannot be a cause for eviction, and the provider must assist a tenant who wishes to leave the program in finding alternate housing following principles where abstinence is not required. A 2016 law adopting the “housing first” model as state policy prohibits state homelessness money from being spent on programs that are based in abstinence.
Your Guide to Certifying a Sober House in Massachusetts
If you’re planning to operate a sober house in Massachusetts, following the certification process is an essential step. Certifying your sober house through MASH is a critical step toward offering a safe, structured, and recovery-focused home for individuals rebuilding their lives. By following this process carefully and staying proactive, you’ll lay the foundation for a sober home that truly supports lasting recovery. Before MASH will certify your sober home, your property must pass a detailed on-site inspection. The inspection verifies that your home complies with MASH standards for safety, governance, peer support, and resident rights. A significant milestone in MASH’s history occurred in 2011 when the National Alliance for Recovery Residences was founded.
Beacon of Light – South End Women’s Recovery House – Vanderburgh Sober Living
These standards were developed using a collaborative approach with input from regional and national recovery housing organizations. MASH is an affiliate of NARR and used these standards to create Massachusetts standards for certified sober homes. NARR has since released two updates to the standards, first in October 2015 and then in 2018.
Certifying a sober house with MASH
Covert, of the Bay Area Council, thinks that to the extent local agencies choose to invest in recovery homes it would be to expand the supply with new construction. For providers of recovery housing like Golden, that effectively closed the door to state funding such as the multibillion-dollar Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention program. After a long journey of personal recovery and years volunteering as a substance abuse peer counselor, Thea Golden launched her own recovery home. 29.e Documentation that resident and staff engage in community relations and interactions to promote kinship with other recovery communities and goodwill for recovery services.
Transition (e.g. entry, phase movement and exit) rituals promote residents’ sense of belonging and confer progressive status and increasing opportunities within the recovery living environment and community. 27.d Documentation that residents are formally linked with the community such as job search, education, family services, health and/or housing programs. Learn about NARR Recovery Residence Levels of Support, specifically Level II, which applies to the type of sober homes MASH certifies. Make sure your sober home operates in line with Level II support, as defined by NARR. Level II homes provide a structured peer environment without onsite clinical services. Additionally, MASH offers funding through its various grant programs to support sober housing initiatives.
- A second would probably lead to a referral to outpatient treatment and a third to a residential treatment program with the bed held for the resident’s return.
- Verification that furnishings are typical of those in single family homes or apartments as opposed to institutional settings.
- Understanding and aligning your sober home’s operations with these standards is critical to succeeding in the certification process.
- Effective September 1, 2016, state agencies and their vendors are only able to refer clients to certified alcohol and drug-free (ADF) housing.
These standards ensure that sober homes provide safe, structured, and supportive environments crucial for long-term recovery. MASH is involved in several key initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality and safety of sober living environments across the state. Notably, MASH administers the Fire Sprinkler System Program (FSSP), which provides grants of up to $80,000 per home for the installation of fire sprinkler systems in MASH-certified sober homes. This program is essential for helping homes comply with state and local fire safety codes, thereby ensuring a safe living environment for residents. MASH was formed in 2007 when a group of sober home operators recognized the need for consistent standards and greater accountability within the sober housing community.
MASH certification is crucial for operating a reputable and successful sober house in Massachusetts. It opens the door to state agency referrals, builds your credibility in the recovery community, and ensures you provide residents with a safe, supportive living mash certified sober homes environment. 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.
Understanding how these standards apply to your home is crucial for passing inspection and maintaining certification. Amenities include on site laundry, air conditioning, parking, full kitchens, living/dining rooms and quick access to public transportation. Our staff is kind, thoughtful and approachable.
Peer support interactions among residents are facilitated to expand responsibilities for personal and community recovery. Sober homes applying for annual recertification must remit payment of certification fees during the recertification process and prior to scheduling the home inspection. The next step in the certification process is completing and submitting the MASH Certification Application.
The Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH) plays a critical role in supporting individuals in recovery by helping to ensure access to high-quality sober living environments across Massachusetts. Established in 2007 by a group of sober home operators, MASH was founded to address the need for consistent standards and accountability within the sober housing community. Today, MASH oversees more than 180 certified sober homes. The organization’s core values emphasize health, home, purpose, and community, aligning closely with NARR’s principles to foster environments that promote long-term recovery and personal growth. In 2011, the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) established national standards for recovery residences (including sober housing).
24.b Ongoing performance support and training are provided for staff. Job descriptions require staff to facilitate access to local community-based resources. Here are some of the questions we receive about sober housing in Massachusetts.