Section 2060.509  Recovery Homes

Recovery Homes are alcohol and drug free housing components whose rules, peer-led groups, staff activities and/or other structured operations are directed toward maintenance of sobriety for persons who exhibit treatment resistance, relapse potential and/or lack of suitable recovery living environments or who recently have completed substance abuse treatment services or who may be receiving such treatment services at another licensed facility.  In order to be called a Recovery Home, the home shall:

a)         provide a structured alcohol and drug free environment for congregate living that shall offer regularly scheduled peer-led or community gatherings (self-help groups, etc.) that are held a minimum of five days per week and provide recovery education groups weekly;

b)         have written linkage agreements with substance abuse providers in accordance with the provisions specified in Section 2060.329 of this Part;

c)         establish a referral network to be utilized by residents for any necessary medical, mental health, substance abuse, vocational or employment resources, and maintain the confidentiality of client identifying information in accordance with 42 CFR 2 (Confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse patient records);

d)         establish a budget that specifies monthly operating expenses and demonstrates sufficient income to meet these expenses plus emergency reserve by providing documentation of access to a minimum sum equivalent to the total of two months of operating expenses;

e)         comply with all applicable zoning and local building ordinances and the provisions specified in Chapter 26 (Lodging or Rooming Houses) of the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Life Safety Code of 2000 (no later amendments or editions included) for any building housing 16 or fewer residents and with the provisions specified in Chapter 29 (Existing Hotels and Dormitories) of the NFPA Life Safety Code of 2000 (no later amendments or editions included) for any building housing 17 or more residents;

f)         maintain fire, hazard, liability and other insurance coverages appropriate to the administration of a recovery home;

g)         employ at least one full-time Recovery Home Operator who is responsible for the daily operations at the Recovery Home (i.e., fiscal, personnel, rule compliance, etc.) who shall:

1)         either:

A)        hold clinical certification from IAODAPCA or receive that certification within two years after the date of employment; or

B)        hold certification as a National Certified Recovery Specialist (NCRS) as specified by the Association of Halfway House Alcohol Programs (AHHAP), RR 2 Box 415, Kerhonkson NY 12446

C)        have a minimum of 2000 hours of work experience or 4000 hours of volunteer experience in the field of substance abuse of which 1500 hours shall have been in direct Recovery Support Systems Services (i.e., Residential Extended Care Facility or Recovery Home); and

2)         provide three letters of recommendation from substance abuse professional staff as defined in Section 2060.309 of this Part; and

3)         provide a signed and dated acceptance of the Code of Ethics as established by the Illinois Association of Residential Extended Care Programs, Box 269180, Chicago, Illinois 60626, website: AHHAP.org; and

h)         have on-site at least one Recovery Home Manager who oversees all Recovery Home activities under the direction of the Recovery Home Operator.  Recovery Home Managers shall:

1)         hold certification as a National Certified Recovery Specialist (NCRS) as specified by the Association of Halfway House Alcoholism Programs of North America, Inc. (AHHAP), RR2 Box 415 Kerhonkson NY 12446, or receive such certification within two years after the date of employment; or

2)         hold certification from IAODAPCA or receive the certification within two years after the date of employment; or

3)         have a minimum of 1000 hours of work experience or 2000 hours of volunteer experience in the field of substance abuse of which 750 hours shall have been in direct Recovery Support Systems Services (i.e., Residential Extended Care Facility or Recovery Home) and provide a signed and dated acceptance of the Code of Ethics as established by the Illinois Association of Residential Extended Care, Box 269180, Chicago, Illinois, 60626, website: AHHAP.org.  

The Recovery Home Operator may also function as the Recovery Home Manager as long as the requirements for both positions are met.

(Source:  Amended at 27 Ill. Reg. 13997, effective August 8, 2003)