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.
Step 1: Determine what level of recovery housing you want to operate.
There are four recovery residence levels. DMHA offers a designation for Levels II, III and IV.
Note: Per HEA 1296, providers may only use the words “recovery residence” in a title or description of a facility, organization, or program that provides recovery residence services if the recovery residence is registered and in good standing with DMHA.
Step 2: Review and get familiar with the National Quality Standards and Code of Ethics.
The National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) creates national quality standards for recovery residences. DMHA is basing most of the designation 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.
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/2024/05/NARR-Code-of-Ethics.pdf
Step 3: Gather the required documents.
Use the Required documents link below as a reference to gather the necessary documents and information for your Recovery Residence application for step 4.
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 applying for a Level IV, you will need to apply for an Addiction Treatment Services Provider certification prior to completing your application for a Level IV Recovery Residence. You can find the information here.)
Step 4: Create an Access Indiana account via the DMHA Provider Portal to complete your application and upload the required documentation. The Residential Review team will review your application and the documents within 30 days and reach out via the portal if additional documents and/or information is needed.
Providers that do not meet the criteria for Level II, III, IV recovery residences, but wish to call themselves recovery residences will NOT complete an application in the Portal. Instead, they will submit the following information to the DMHAhousing@fssa.in.gov mailbox:
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- Recovery Residence Registry Form
- Provider information
- Signed National Alliance for Recovery Residences Code of Ethics to meet DMHA ethics requirements.
- Zoning/legal documentation.
- Three letters of reference.
- Documentation verifying that all staff and owners are 18+ (e.g. driver’s license or birth certificate).
Note: Level II, III, IV recovery residences must complete the application in the Portal for designation and to be included in the registry. Failure to complete the right application may result in a delay of application approval.
Note: If you refer to yourself as a recovery residence and operate a level II, III, or IV recovery residence, an application for a DMHA designation must be completed through the Provider Portal and the required Registry documents will be included with that application.
Step 5: Approval/Denial of designation
Once the application is submitted, the team will review the application to ensure that all necessary documentation is present. If approved, please see step 6. If denied, the entity will be informed of the denial and will be given the right to appeal the determination.
Step 6: Fee Submission
When the application meets the standards for approval, applicants will be provided with an individualized CST# and information on how to submit payments, when applicable, to the State of Indiana lockbox. Payments should be made payable to State of Indiana. Once payment is received, the application will be approved.
Note: If you have already met the $2,000 threshold for the 2-year period, you may not be required to complete this step due to meeting the $2,000 threshold. If not, the team will process your approval.
Step 7: Virtual/On-site interview/Inspection
Once the recovery residence designation is effective, the team may choose to conduct an unannounced visit. DMHA reserves the right to conduct follow-up site visits at any time during the designation period.
Reviewers will be examining the recovery environment and ensuring the property and program meet the national quality standards.
Step 8: Post-inspection visit survey and implement required quality improvements
If the site visit is conducted, the DMHA Residential Review 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.
You will be required to respond to these recommendations within 10 business days. You may either respond by implementing the required quality improvement activity and providing appropriate documentation that quality improvement activities have been implemented or by providing the 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 the required timelines, DMHA will pursue placing your facility on conditional status, which could result in a termination if a response is not received.
In some cases, the team may require a follow-up to verify that quality improvement recommendations have been completed.
File a Grievance
If you feel a residence does not meet the quality standards required by its designation 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.