We partner with state agencies and recovery community organizations to advocate for the adoption of our high-quality housing standards at both state and national levels. The NARR model lays the groundwork for recovery housing policies, practices, and services, offering those in recovery the chance for a sustainable and fulfilling life. The what is a recovery residence process is a new initiative aimed at ensuring that individuals recovering from substance abuse receive the best possible care and support in certified recovery residences.

Maryland Certification of Recovery Residences

They are alcohol and illicit substance-free recovery housing that utilize house rules and peer accountability to maintain safe and healthy living environments. Senior residents, appointed by the owner/operator to serve as the head of household, are typically called the House Manager. To serve higher needs/lower recovery capital populations, such as transition aged youth (e.g., youth years of age) with opioid use disorders, some Level II’s provide recovery support services and life skills development but at a lower intensity than Level III’s. In 2013, the Department of Children & Families-Substance Abuse licensure division delivered to the Florida Senate Appropriations Committee a report that determined Level I, II & III Recovery Residences are exempt for licensure and regulation.

Farr Q1 A. Why do you choose to work at FARR ?

The DMHA Housing Team will notify you within 15 business days about your certification approval/denial. With a wealth of experience in recovery circles and the support of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences, the Alabama Alliance for Recovery Residences is well equipped to promote a healthy recovery lifestyle in communities throughout our home state of Alabama. Designed for recovery residence operators and managers, below is a list of current online training programs available to purchase. Join us in our mission to elevate the standard of recovery living, making a lasting difference in thousands of lives each year.

promoting access to recovery supportive living environments

The certification process involves a rigorous evaluation of the residence’s policies, procedures,and staff qualifications, with the goal of promoting safe and effective recovery environments. Recovery residences provide safe and healthy community-oriented home environments where skills vital for sustaining recovery are practiced within a community-oriented setting. The group experience within the home fosters a culture of recovery based on shared lived experience, support, and structure - this community-based approach is referred to as the Social Model and is the basis of the national Standard for recovery residences.

• The Housing Team will also be conducting surveys with residents and staff members in the home as part of the site inspection.
• Level III’s are required to be licensed in a few states, reflecting the therapeutic nature of the services provided.
• The consistency of core elements across certified residences can provide peace of mind to residents, families, neighbors, legislators, and funders, without additional oversight.
• Your support directly contributes to the expansion of safe, quality recovery residences nationwide, making a lasting impact on individuals and families on their journey to healing.
• After a one-year grace period in which recovery residence operators may achieve certification, effective July 1, 2016, only certified residences in good standing remain eligible to receive referrals from DCF licensed substance use treatment (SUT) providers.

This diversity creates a spectrum of options that cost effectively matches individual’s evolving needs with a level of support. Level I Type P (Peer-run) are democratically run alcohol and illicit substance-free recovery homes. Oxford Houses™ are the most widely known example and researched as indicated by their inclusion in SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 2023). Level I recovery residences maintain a recovery-supportive culture and community using house rules and peer accountability. Your support directly contributes to the expansion of safe, quality recovery residences nationwide, making a lasting impact on individuals and families on their journey to healing. By uniting with NARR, affiliates and providers become part of a national movement dedicated to enhancing the quality and accessibility of recovery housing.

Recovery Orientated Systems of Care

Welcome to our Resource Library, a comprehensive gateway to a wealth of resources dedicated to supporting and advancing the mission of quality recovery residences nationwide. Our extensive collection of resources encompasses a wide range of topics, from best practices in recovery residence management to advocacy efforts aimed at promoting awareness and understanding. The heart of all recovery residences is the Social Model, an operational framework that distinguishes these environments from other shared living spaces.

• The NARR Standard provides guidance for certifying effective recovery residences and incorporates the collaborative values of acute care and social models of recovery.
• Support your recovery by choosing a living environment that uses national best practices.
• Minimum standards help to protect consumers and communities by ensuring that providers are properly educated to deliver quality services based on their certified support level.
• Senior residents, appointed by the owner/operator to serve as the head of household, are typically called the House Manager.

Empowering Communities Through Collaboration

• This communication will list any required quality improvements that your organization needs to engage in prior to your application being approved.
• In fact, SAMHSA has identified safe and stable housing as one of the four main dimensions to recovery.
• The Standard is built on the lived experience of operators and residents, not the decisions of an external accreditation body.
• Parties who desire to voluntary submit for certification to this Standard may apply online by selecting the “Apply Now” navigation button at the bottom of this page.

Our mission is to promote quality recovery housing through provider compliance with the National Standard. Through open and transparent collaboration, FARR personnel guide applicant owners, managers and staff to achieve the Standard. The duration of the certification process varies significantly based on provider preparedness, motivation and experience.

Why is certification to national standards voluntary?

In 2015, the Florida Legislature passed and the Governor signed House Bill 21 into law. This law mandates Levels I, II & III Recovery Residences seek, achieve and sustain voluntary certification to national standards in order to remain eligible for referral from DCF licensed substance abuse treatment providers (effective date July 1, 2016). Minimum standards help to protect consumers and communities by ensuring that providers are properly educated to deliver quality services based on their certified support level. In turn; this certification allows consumers, families and communities to more easily identify safe, supportive and responsible providers. Persons in recovery from substance use disorders are a federally protected class under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

These Standards are built atop the Social Model of Recovery Philosophy (SMRP) which emerged in California some seventy years ago. This attracted science-based, academic researchers over the following decades which, in turn, led to SMRP migration nationwide in the late ’60s and beyond. Recovery-oriented housing founded on SMRP principles continues to be studied academically due to its proven effectiveness in promoting and sustaining long-term recovery. Recovery residences provide a structured, supportive environment for individuals recovering from addiction, promoting the acquisition and practice of vital recovery skills.