Indiana is a very sober living home friendly state. There are few regulations in place but there also exists ample government assistance for the process. Certification is optional, but beneficial if you want to seek state funding in any form. The application for certification is short but the list of attachments you’ll need to include with it is long. Opening a sober living home in Indiana is definitely an involved process, but it can be easily done with some determination and grit.
In Indiana, Sober Living Homes are Certified by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction
The Department of Mental Health and Addiction (or DMHA) certifies “recovery residences” that are ranked as level 2, 3 or 4. Level 1 residences are primarily peer run, often under the Oxford House model, and they are not offered certification by the state.
Sober Living Home Certification is Optional in Indiana
There is no law that says you must certify your sober living home with the state in Indiana. However, there are benefits to doing so. In 2017, Indiana state legislature passed a mandate that stated that all sober living homes receiving state or federal funding must go through the process of state certification. If your home will not accept any subsidy or grant money from the government, then you do not need to seek certification unless you elect to do so.
Definitely Read the “How to Open a Sober Living Home in Indiana” Guide Developed by the State Before You Begin
Indiana is among the few states that offer comprehensive information online about what it takes to open a sober living home within state lines. The crown jewel of that helpful ecosystem is this amazing how-to guide developed by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Division of Mental Health and Addiction. The guide covers everything from budgeting, to funding, to organization, to insurance, NIMBY management, certification, staffing, and beyond. This is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to open a sober living home in Indiana and should be at the top of your pre-launch reading list.
The Application for Sober Living Home Certification in Indiana is Very Short and Simple
On the state government’s website, you’ll find the Recovery Residence Certification Application - Recovery Works Housing Provider, an easy-fill, 2 page application PDF which you can complete online and email to DMHAhousing@fssa.in.gov.
The application itself is simple. On it, you’ll need to include:
Basic business information (name, location, contact information)
Attestations that you’ll do business ethically
Attestations that your home meets basic health and safety requirements
Completing the Required Attachments for Sober Living Home Certification in Indiana is More Complicated
While the application is simple, the required attachments you’ll need to include along with the certification application are numerous and less easily compiled. In order to get certified with the state of Indiana, your sober living home will need to submit:
A floor plan
Zoning documentation
Proof of State Fire Marshal Inspection
Proof of liability insurance
A letter from the property owner, if renting, stating that it’s OK to run a sober living home in the building
Mission statement
Vision statement
Code of ethics
Staff plan with job descriptions, training plan, skill development plans
Detailed house rules
Admission and intake plans and procedures
Discharge criteria and plan
Confidentiality statement based in 42 CFR Part 2
Social media policy for staff and residents
Grievance policy
Resident’s rights and responsibilities document
Billing policy
Health and contagious disease policy
List of community resources for residents and alumni
Good neighbor policy
Weekly programming schedule
This is by far the most comprehensive and exhaustive list of required attachments we’ve seen from any state sober living certification application. Often we’ll see elements of many of these in application requirements but rarely will we see every single piece of possible documentation itemized like this. This application is doozy!
Indiana Alliance of Recovery Residences is a Great Local Resource for Sober Living Home Operator Newbies
The Indiana Alliance of Recovery Residences (IARR) is the local state NARR affiliate in Indiana. In addition to advocating for recovery residence operators in the state, IARR hosts a monthly virtual round table discussion for sober living home operators in the state. This is an invaluable resource for those thinking of getting started in the community and opening a recovery residence in the state. You’ll need to register in advance if you want to attend.
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