The Minnesota Association of Sober Homes, Inc., or M.A.S.H. for short, was formed in the summer of 2007 in an attempt to form a unified voice for owners of sober houses in situations where a public voice became necessary.
Leadership
The organization is run by a board, currently consisting of:
Barb Madigan, President
John Curtiss, Vice President
John Larson, Secretary
Randy Larson, Treasurer
Standards
All of the homes in the MASH network have been inspected and received a passing grade for a set of standards we insist members uphold in their homes. These standards are outlined here.
Safety
- Smoke detectors in all sleeping rooms
- Fire extinguisher in kitchen
- Minimum two exits
- Property address posted in front, and back, if alley is present
- Smoking is prohibited in hazardous areas
- Approved safety disposal containers for cigarettes
- No extension cords or electrical outlets pose a hazard
- No piles of newspapers, clothes or other stored materials create a fire hazard
- Building meets local building and safety codes
Health
- No signs of roach or pest infestations
- Kitchen and appliances are clean and well maintained
- Minimum 1 refrigerator for every 7 residents
- Refrigerators temperature reads 36 to 44 degrees and freezers at approximately 0
- Adequate and clean food storage space
- Bathrooms are clean and orderly
- Minimum 1 bathroom for every 7 residents
- Furniture and furnishings are clean and of reasonable quality
- Sleeping rooms provide all residents with adequate space
House Management
- Management has completed sober housing workshop
- Clear acceptance criteria for all applicants
- Personal information sheet is kept for all residents
- All residents sign a resident agreement
- Rules are in place for key issues
- Residents have a significant role in the management of the home
- Management does not provide clinical recovery or treatment services as defined by state licensing
- Management has signed a code of ethics agreement
- Building and grounds are well kept and consistent with the neighborhood
Code of Ethics
All member home owners and staff have agreed to operate by a code of ethics that states:
- They will be dedicated to recognizing the dignity and worth of all those we serve. At all times managers or other staff shall treat each resident with respect and dignity.
- They will maintain an alcohol and drug free environment.
- They will maintain quality housing that is consistent with the quality of the neighborhood. Demonstrate activities that benefit the immediate neighbors.
- Staff members who are alcoholic and/or chemically dependent must be clean and sober at least 1 year and remain abstinent and actively involved in a Twelve Step program of recovery. Staff members who are not alcoholics or chemically dependent remain alcohol free during performance hours and be free from chemical use problems.
- No physical violence or threats of violence is ever tolerated in the home.
- Managers or other staff shall never become romantically or sexually involved with a resident or anyone the sober living home is assisting.
- Managers or other staff shall never become involved with resident’s financial or business affairs. This covers borrowing or lending money, buying or selling property or other financial transactions.
- Managers or other staff — Respect the privacy and personal rights of all residents.
- Assure that no weapons are allowed on sober living premises.
- Adhere to the Management, Health, Safety and Staff standards set forth.
Membership Benefits
- Access to years of experience, know-how and heritage in the sober home field
- Participation in a rich exchange of knowledge and experience with like-minded professionals
- Tap into a wealth of wisdom as we envision our future and value our past
- Become inspired and energized by new ideas grounded in rich tradition and immersed in the spirit of recovery
- Learn how to design and operate quality recovery environments from those who are living it
- Experience the fellowship of like-minded professionals grounded in the spiritual principles of Alcoholics Anonymous
- Participate in the annual peer-oriented, training and education conference
- Listing in the membership directory
- Networking with the Halfway House and Recovery Home field
- Further validate the quality of your programs and services through membership participation in MASH’s program standards
- Promote the quality of your staff through participation in MASH’s certified recovery specialist credentialing process