CCRI grant recipients must be 501c3 non-profit organizations and matching funds must be provided. All proposals and applicant qualifications are stringently reviewed and vetted by MassHousing. Policy and procedures that address residents’ prescription and non-prescription medication usage and storage consistent with the residence’s level and with relevant state mash certified sober homes law. A weekly schedule details recovery support services, events and activities. 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.
- Allston-Brighton Community Development Corporation, Boston, $75,000
Grant funds will help create 14 new affordable sober housing units for individuals in advanced recovery in Allston. - Evidence that management supports staff members maintaining self-care.9.b.
- Evidence that residents increase recovery capital through such things as recovery support and community service, work/employment, etc.
- Prior to the initial acceptance of any funds, the operator must inform applicants of all fees and charges for which they will be responsible.
Verification that furnishings are typical of those in single family homes or apartments as opposed to institutional settings. Evidence that staff are encouraged to have a network of support. Policies and procedures that promote resident-driven length of stay.
Physical Environment Domain
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 Center for Community Recovery Innovations, Inc., issues an annual Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit projects for funding.
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. Allston-Brighton Community Development Corporation, Boston, $75,000
Grant funds will help create 14 new affordable sober housing units for individuals in advanced recovery in Allston. Self Esteem Boston Educational Institute, $23,600
Grant funds will help support new resiliency and recovery support services, and job-readiness skills for women in recovery in Boston, Lynn and Springfield.
B. Core Principle: Uphold Residents’ Rights
Evidence that staff are encouraged to have a network of support.9.d.Evidence that staff are expected to model genuineness, empathy, respect, support and unconditional positive regard. Evidence that staff and residents model genuineness, empathy, and positive regard. Verification that written resident’s rights and requirements (e.g. residence rules and grievance process) are posted or otherwise available in common areas.
Verification that a meeting space is large enough to accommodate all residents. Verification that laundry services are accessible to all residents. Evidence that supervisors (including top management) create a positive, productive work environment for staff. Policies and procedures for ongoing performance development of staff appropriate to staff roles and residence level. 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. Evidence that residents have opportunities to be heard in the governance of the residence; however, decision making remains with the operator.
G. Core Principle: Facilitate Active Recovery and Recovery Community Engagement
Community or residence meetings are held at least once a week. 26.b Evidence that mechanisms exist for residents to inform and help guide operations and advocate for community-building. 24.b Ongoing performance support and training are provided for staff. Evidence that mechanisms exist for residents to inform and help guide operations and advocate for community-building. Documentation that residents are oriented to emergency procedures. Documentation that emergency contact information is collected from residents.
In 2011, the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) established national standards for recovery residences (including 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 https://ecosoberhouse.com/ Massachusetts standards for certified sober homes. 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.
