Recovery Residence Certification
What are recovery residences?
Recovery Residence is an umbrella term that includes a range of alcohol and drug free living environments, including recovery homes and sober living homes, that use peer support and other supportive services, to promote addiction recovery.
Recovery Residence Certification
Step 1: Determine what level of recovery housing you want to operate.
There are four recovery residence levels. DMHA certifies Levels II, III and IV. The following chart describes the different levels.
NARR Recovery Residence Levels of Support
Step 2: Review and get familiar with the National Quality Standards and Code of Ethics.
The National Alliance for Recovery Residences creates national quality standards for recovery houses. DMHA is basing most of the certification requirements and on-site inspection requirements on the most current NARR quality standards. Part of the NARR quality standards for every setting is having a Code of Ethics, which should incorporate the NARR Code of Ethics.
The National Alliance for Recovery Residences creates national quality standards for recovery houses. You can view the most recent version of NARR standards, Version 3.0 at https://narronline.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/NARR_Standard_V.3.0_release_11-2018.pdf.
You can view the NARR Code of Ethics at https://narronline.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/NARR_ethics_code_amended_10-2017.pdf.
Step 3: Complete the recovery residence certification application and compile the required documents. A step-by-step webinar that goes over the forms and required documents can be found at Recovery Residence Webinar Recovery 2022.
Recovery residence certification application (in.gov)
Required documents for recovery residence certification (in.gov)
Additional rules: Article 27 – Consumer Rights: Indiana Code 2020 - Indiana General Assembly, 2021 Session 42 CFR Part 2 - Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records: eCFR :: 42 CFR Part 2 -- Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records
(If you are planning on being a Level IV, you need to submit paperwork for addiction treatment outpatient services provider certification. You can find the forms here.)
Surveys:
Step 4: Scan the completed and signed application and required documents. Email to DMHAhousing@fssa.in.gov . Our team will review the documents within 30 days and reach out via email if additional documents are needed.
Step 5: Virtual/On-site interview/Inspection
To perform the virtual/on-site interview/inspection the recovery residence setting needs to have been in operation with residents for at least 30 days and have at least 40% occupancy.
Your inspection will be performed by two staff from the Housing Team. Reviewers will be examining the recovery environment and ensuring the property and program meet the national quality standards.
Step 6: Post-inspection visit survey and implement required quality improvements
After the virtual/on-site inspection, the DMHA Housing Team will provide you with an official communication within 15 business days. This communication will list any required quality improvements that your organization needs to engage in prior to your application being approved.
You will be required to respond to these recommendations within 20 business days. You may either respond by engaging the required quality improvement activity and providing appropriate documentation that quality improvement activities have been implemented or by providing the Housing Team with a written response detailing how your organization meets the national quality standards without engaging in the required quality improvement activity.
If you do not respond to the DMHA Housing Team within required timelines, your application will be reviewed based on the information they have available.
In some cases, the Housing Team may require a second virtual/on-site review in order to verify quality improvement recommendations have been implemented.
Step 7: Approval/Denial of certification
Once DMHA Housing Team has received a response from your organization concerning any required quality improvements, they will determine if your certification will be approved or denied. The DMHA Housing Team will notify you within 15 business days about your certification approval/denial.
Step 8: Turn in information to get set up to claim
In order to claim for Recovery Works services, you need to fill out this spreadsheet. The spreadsheet will list staff that need access to WITS, which is the claiming system for Recovery Works. The staff will also be added to JIRA, DMHA’s helpdesk ticket tracking system, so they can submit helpdesk tickets.
File a Grievance
If you feel a residence is not meeting the quality standards required by its certification with the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction, it is your right to voice that concern. All grievances will be handled discreetly and appropriately. Click here to file a grievance.