Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH) serves as the primary agency for accountability of all certified homes in Massachusetts. Our organization also provides supervision and training for sober homes, and maintains a database of more than 180 MASH-certified sober homes.MASH’s recovery values emphasize health, home, purpose, and community. Successful sober homes establish and reinforce healthy lifestyles, provide a safe and stable place to live, conduct meaningful activities, and build relationships and social networks for support. In 2011, the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) established national standards for recovery residences (including sober housing).

What is a MASH barrier?
While MASH certification is voluntary, losing certification affects credibility and the ability to attract residents seeking structured environments. It can be very difficult to find funding for sober living home projects in any state, and Massachusetts is no different. It’s worth keeping an eye on this agency to see if they’ll make a similar move in the future. At Actionmarguerite, becoming SAFE Work certified is service and compassion in action!
- This rating gives the customer confidence that the products available will meet the requirements of any site.
- This makes them eligible for reimbursement from the federal government.
- This program allows our engineers to accurately predict the performance of road safety barriers, and other devices, in a crash or impact scenario.
Physical and Psychological Safety in Healthcare.
Establishing a strong sober home community culture is critical to success in recovery. The process involves a mash certification thorough review of policies, procedures, and the living environment. Operators must demonstrate they provide a substance-free setting with regular drug testing, peer support meetings, and access to recovery resources. Certified homes must maintain proper documentation, ensuring transparency. This certification enhances credibility and provides residents with a safe, supportive environment.
- DPH awarded a contract to the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH) to be the certifying body, and the training and technical assistance vendor.
- Failure to secure adequate insurance exposes operators to financial liabilities and legal challenges.
- Policies and procedures that keep residents’ records secure, with access limited to authorized staff.
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Verification that Naloxone is accessible at each location, and marijuana addiction appropriate individuals are knowledgeable and trained in its use. Evidence that management supports staff members maintaining self-care.9.b. Evidence that staff are supported in maintaining appropriate boundaries according to a code of conduct.9.c.
Policies protecting resident and community privacy and confidentiality. Documentation of legal business entity (e.g. incorporation, LLC documents or business license). 10.a 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. Policies and procedures that promote resident-driven length of stay.
Massachusetts Sober Homes Law
- This has provided a significant step toward the implementation of MASH.
- Maintaining compliance is critical to ensuring the safety and success of both the sober house and its residents.
- 29.e Documentation that resident and staff engage in community relations and interactions to promote kinship with other recovery communities and goodwill for recovery services.
We believe that structure, support, and community programs are the vessels by which our residents return to the stream of life. In Massachusetts, sober house certification is governed by a framework to ensure facilities meet care and safety standards. The Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH) offers voluntary certification, which signifies adherence to best practices. Certification requires compliance with National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) standards, covering health, safety, and ethical operations. Whether you are battling for the Stanley Cup, or fighting for your recovery, you cannot do it alone. That’s why we created the Power Forward Sober Living Scholarship.
Step 2: Attend MASH Sober Housing 101 Training

The barriers are then rigorously tested against as many parameters as possible, with high-speed vehicles and trucks for impact resistance in crashes. The road barrier behaviour during the moment of impact is analysed and the barrier is given a MASH test level rating. This rating gives the customer confidence that the products available will meet the requirements of any site.
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