Levels of Support

FARR does not offer a rating scale as it regards the efficacy or valuation of any individual Certified Residence. Our mission is to ensure the availability of housing that is:

safe and dignified
alcohol and drug free
a peer supportive environment
a good neighbor and responsible citizen

NARR Standards and Code of Ethics serve as guides for how best to achieve these four goals and provide a basis for service provider accountability to an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to upholding the resident’s right to access high quality, recovery-oriented housing. Some support levels are more organically ‘peer-supportive’ than others and, when selecting a program, individual residents are ‘best’ served by first gaining a deeper appreciation of defining criteria for each level.

FARR recognizes four distinct support levels under the singular term Recovery Residence. One level is not better or more advanced than the others, but instead offers a unique service structure most appropriate for a particular resident.

NARR Levels I, II, III and IV should not be confused with terminology specific to the Florida Department of Children and Families – Substance Abuse licensure and regulation of behavioral healthcare providers. NARR Levels do not correspond to licensing categories as presented under Department Rule 65D-30 F.A.C. NARR Levels I, II, III & IV clarify Consumer and Continuum of Care Coordinator expectations for services, support and supervision provided by a recovery residence certified to be compliant with the NARR Quality Standards and Code of Ethics.

I

FARR Level I

Recovery residences that house individuals in recovery who are post-treatment, with a minimum of 9 months of sobriety. Level I certified homes are democratically run by the members who reside in the home.

II

FARR Level II

Recovery residences encompass the traditional perspectives of sober living homes. There is oversight from a house manager with lived experience, typically a senior resident. Residents are expected to follow rules outlined in a resident handbook, pay dues, if applicable, and work toward achieving milestones within a chosen recovery path.

III

FARR Level III

Recovery residences offer higher supervision by staff with formal training to ensure resident accountability. These homes offer peer-support services and are staffed 24 hours a day. Clinical services are not performed at the residence. The services offered may include but are not limited to life skills mentoring, recovery planning, and meal preparation. This support structure is most appropriate for residents who require a more structured environment during early recovery from addiction.

IV

FARR Level IV

A certified recovery residence is a residence offered, referred to, or provided by, a licensed service provider to its patients who are required to reside at the residence while receiving intensive outpatient and higher levels of outpatient care. Such residences are staffed 24 hours a day and combine outpatient licensable services with recovery residential living. Residents are required to follow a treatment plan and attend group and individual sessions, in addition to developing a recovery plan within the social model of living a sober lifestyle. No clinical services are provided at the residence and all licensable services are provided off-site.

A Primer on Recovery Residences - FAQs from NARR

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