As you begin your journey of recovery, you will receive support and encouragement from a ready made peer-based and structured living scenario. At The Willing House, we work to minimize negative influences and triggers, while new, supportive relationships are formed and nurtured through fellowship. Additionally, MASH offers funding through its various grant programs to support sober housing initiatives. For example, the organization has facilitated significant investments in the expansion of permanent supportive housing across Massachusetts. Through these grants, MASH addresses critical needs, including helping individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness find stable housing​.

Certifying a sober house with MASH

We do not show halfway houses, treatment programs, or rehabilitation facilities. What’s the difference between a sober home and a recovery residence? 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.

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Certified sober homes in Massachusetts are designated by the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH). In 2007, eight sober house operators established MASH. Legislation in 2014 created voluntary certification of Massachusetts sober houses, and MASH began managing voluntary statewide sober home certification in 2016. Are you a state agency, licensed provider, individual, or family looking for a MASH-certified https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/celebrating-the-first-year-sober/ 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.

Sober Living in Worcester, Massachusetts

Sober homes applying for annual recertification must remit payment of certification fees during the recertification process and prior to scheduling the home inspection. Recovery homes have proven to have a success rate of 80%—that is a great success rate for recovery from a substance use disorder. Evidence that staff and residents model genuineness, empathy, and positive regard. 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.

B. Core Principle: Uphold Residents’ Rights

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. Sober House Directory helps you find sober houses, structured group homes, and sober living. Purple pins represent certified homes. Home color identifies men and women.

C. Core Principle: Create a culture of empowerment where residents engage in governance and leadership

Learn more about becoming a VSL Chartered Operator. The Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (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.

• 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.
• Any home not certified will not be able to accept clients from state agencies until certified.
• Community members are all people in recovery who are actively working a program of recovery.
• All MASH-certified sober homes follow the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) standards and have been independently inspected.

Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing

Evidence that supervisors (including top management) create a positive, productive work environment for staff. Evidence that residents have opportunities to be heard in the governance of the residence; however, decision making remains with the mash certified sober homes operator. Policies and procedures regarding collection of resident’s information. 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).