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 staff are supported in maintaining appropriate boundaries according to a code of conduct.
Sober housing
This project is supported by Grant No. 2020-AR-BX-0038 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Guests feel safe, comfortable and supported at all times. 27.b Residents find and sustain relationships with one or more recovery mentors or mutual aid sponsors. Operator will attest that electrical, mechanical, and structural components of the property are functional and free of fire and safety hazards. Verification that furnishings are typical of those in single family homes or apartments as opposed to institutional settings.
I. Core Principle: Cultivate the Resident’s Sense of Belonging and Responsibility for Community
- Thank you to everyone for taking the time to listen to Sabrina’s story.
- While these homes are protected under the federal Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, local zoning laws can present challenges.
- In Massachusetts, sober house certification is governed by a framework to ensure facilities meet care and safety standards.
- Our homes are smoke free but there are plenty of designated outdoor smoking areas.
- Matthew has served on the MASH Board of Directors for five years and is on the Ethics Committee.
Establishing a strong sober home community culture is critical to success in recovery. MASH-certified sober homes must also offer a peer-based environment and be drug- and alcohol-free. Minnesota sober living homes are currently not required to get licensed or certified in order to operate in the state. As such, sober living homes in Minnesota have a negative reputation for mash sober living being unruly, unregulated, and dangerous places, although the reality of the situation is likely less severe than NIMBYs make it seem. MASH’s website is rich with free resources for sober living home providers. MASH maintains a large, public list of members with detailed information about rent payments as well as deposits.
- MASH is a NARR state affiliate for recovery residences.
- Noel holds an MBA in Nonprofit Management and has contributed to impacting business outcomes through effective organization, prioritization, and execution of key projects.
- While the state does not require licensing or certification at this point for sober living homes, recent moves in the Minnesota legislature indicate that this is likely to change in the near future.
Massachusetts Medical Examiner: Duties and Compliance Guide
In 2011, the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) established national standards for recovery residences (including Twelve-step program sober housing). 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.

- He opened his first home in 2012 with his two brothers.
- What’s the difference between a sober home and a recovery residence?
- It is a feeling.” Our certified sober homes take pride in offering a home-like environment that supports recovery.
- 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).
- Helen Barry, Maryellen Tango-Yianacopolus, and I took a drive to the Cape to visit a very special house.
- Next Chance (The Farm) is not just a sober house!
(b) The bureau shall establish and provide for the administration of a voluntary training and accreditation program for operators of alcohol and drug free housing seeking certification under subsection (d). Jeff Gershman is the Chief Executive Officer of Square Medical Group, a community-focused mental health and substance abuse agency. After working in investment banking and health care startups, Jeff joined Square Medical Group with the goal of creating responsible and effective behavioral health treatment in New England. He graduated from New York University’s Stern School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting.
NIMBYism is a Big Threat to Sober Living in Massachusetts
It is a beautiful Victorian home that provides affordable sober living at a graduate level. Saving Grace is part of LHATR which provides a host of residential programs including male and female sober living, halfway houses, and their new adolescent house in Reading , MA serving yr old male and females. Are you a state agency, licensed provider, individual, or family looking for a MASH-certified sober home? Search our directory to find a list of all MASH-certified sober homes. All MASH-certified sober homes follow the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) standards and have been independently inspected. Healthcare providers benefit from referring patients to MASH-certified homes because these facilities adhere to national standards that promote patient safety and well-being.
G. Core Principle: Facilitate Active Recovery and Recovery Community Engagement
Be accepted and approved by a sober living partner on our approved list. You don’t have to get certified to open a sober living home in Massachusetts. Job descriptions require staff to facilitate access to local community-based resources. The Recovery Housing Program (RHP) allows states to provide stable, transitional housing for individuals in recovery from a substance-use disorder. Compliance is monitored through regular inspections and audits by MASH. These evaluations ensure continued adherence to certification criteria.

Recovery Housing Information
To learn more about this amazing sober house, click on the link to go to their website. A sober living home is beneficial to an individual’s recovery. It is an alternative to going from an immersive care environment straight to a totally unstructured environment at home. Sober living homes replicate normal, everyday life situations while instilling healthy habits and helping the individual better their lives through employment or education.
» Standards
The primary mission of the Minnesota Association of Sober Homes is to promote the establishment, successful management, and growth of high quality community-based sober-living residences. The National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) is a nonprofit organization that promotes quality standards for recovery housing across the United States. Its affiliates, such as MASH in Massachusetts, are responsible https://crm56.ru/2025/03/28/alcohol-consumption-in-later-life-and-reaching-3/ for certifying recovery residences to ensure they meet national standards of safety, support, and accountability. Sober houses in Massachusetts play a crucial role in supporting individuals recovering from substance use disorders.