🤝 Types of Referral Sources

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Note: Be aware that we have had programs refer to sober living for less than ideal reasons; the client's insurance has run out, there are no available beds at the appropriate level of care, etc.

 

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📁 Referral Source Tier Structure

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By evaluating referral sources across these dimensions—Time, Quality, Volume, and Funding—sober living operators can develop a comprehensive understanding of the value each source brings. This approach facilitates a strategic selection of referral partners, aiming to optimize the quality and stability of the sober living community. Our "tier" categories are the way we think about the organizations and individuals who refer guests to our homes. This is a suggested framework, rather than a set of rules.

Referral source records are located in HubSpot and categorized by a field called "📁 Referral Source Type". Setting the type of program(s) offered will automatically set the tier based on the criteria discussed in this article.

Note: Be wary of accepting groups of applicants from the same program. A clique coming over from one program may create interpersonal issues with current residents. Also, be mindful of your referral source. Not all programs are equal.  We suggest you prioritize programs that take clients primarily from clinical treatment. Always screen applicants carefully according to our standards.

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🕓 Time

How much time under professional observation at this program?

Consider how much time that guest referrals will spend under professional observation at this referral source. Residential programs would rank higher in this category, compared with a detox program, because residential programs offer far more time under professional observation. The same would hold true with jail pre-release, compared with probation.

Referrals from clinical care facilities offer an added benefit of being able to verify the time of supervision completed, as compared with self-referrals, probation, or other sources.

• • The amount of time that a potential guest referral spends in a clinical setting is the first factor we consider.
  • The more time that a potential guest referral spends in a treatment or other supervised setting, the better fit they tend to be in a sober living setting.
  • This, along with all other factors, are case-by-case and used more as a guideline than as any form of hard rules.

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☑️ Quality

What is the context and overall quality of observation?

When evaluating referral sources, the quality of observation and support provided by the program is crucial. High-quality programs not only observe their guests but also actively prepare them for life in a sober living environment. This preparation can significantly impact the success of the transition to sober living.

• Clinical Care Facilities vs. Peer Support: Programs with professional oversight, such as clinical care facilities, generally offer a higher quality of observation compared to peer-led support groups. The structured environment and access to medical and therapeutic resources provide a solid foundation for recovery.
• Preparation for Sober Living: The effectiveness of a program in equipping its participants for sober living is a key metric. This includes not just the sobriety aspect but also life skills, mental health support, and relapse prevention strategies.
• Verification and Support Continuity: Programs that offer a clear pathway for verification of a participant’s progress and continuous support post-discharge rank higher. This seamless transition aids in the guest’s adjustment to sober living.

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📈 Volume

What is their volume of potential guest referrals?

The potential volume of referrals from a source is an important factor for sober living operators. While a high volume of referrals is advantageous, it is essential to balance quantity with the quality and suitability of the referred individuals.

• High-Volume Sources: Certain sources, such as drug courts or large rehabilitation centers, can provide a steady stream of referrals. These sources are valuable for maintaining occupancy rates but may vary in the readiness and fit of individuals for sober living environments.

• Balancing Volume with Suitability: While high-volume sources are crucial, it’s important to assess the suitability of these referrals for sober living. The goal is to ensure that individuals are at the right stage in their recovery journey and are a good fit for the community.

• Diverse Referral Streams: Cultivating relationships with a variety of referral sources, including both high-volume and high-quality programs, ensures a balanced and sustainable influx of suitable guests.

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🎁 Funding

Do they provide any direct or indirect funding for guests in sober living?

The availability of funding from referral sources can play a significant role in the sustainability of a sober living operation. Funding can come in various forms, directly supporting the guest’s stay or indirectly through program partnerships.

• Direct Funding Support: Agencies that refer applicants and also provide funding for their stay are considered top-tier sources. This financial support can ease the transition for the guest and reduce financial barriers to entry.

• Indirect Funding Mechanisms: Some referral sources may offer indirect funding support, such as scholarships, grants, or access to insurance benefits that can cover the cost of sober living. Establishing connections with these sources can broaden the access to sober living for many individuals.

• Evaluating Funding Opportunities: When assessing a referral source for funding potential, consider both the availability and sustainability of the funding. Sources with consistent and reliable funding mechanisms are preferable.

 

TSS, or Transitional Support Service, is a temporary holding facility with clients in limbo, waiting for a bed to open somewhere else. Residents in TSS tend to be more committed to the recovery process compared with CSS and ATS/Detox (below). While TSS programs often refer to half-way houses, they also refer to sober living as an alternative to further treatment.

Transitional Support Services (TSS): These have 24-hour supervision from nonmedical staff which lasts 30-90 days. Patients in these programs often are working and participate in counseling and peer support during the evening and weekend hours, while working on an aftercare plan to help sustain recovery from substance use disorder.

CSS, or Clinical Support Service will be a step in between a residential program and a detox. Residents leaving these levels of care typically do not have the stability that they would from a residential program, but are more stable than residents from detox or other higher levels of care.

Clinical Stabilization Services (CSS): CSSs offer clinical support for those who choose to go to inpatient aftercare post-ATS. CSS offers 24-hour clinical support in a non-medical setting. CSS consists of 10-30 days of treatment, including supervision, observation, education, counseling, goal setting, and aftercare planning. This sets an individual up with the beginning steps of recovery.

🕓 Time	Good	TSS and CSS programs typically offer between 30 and 90 days of clinical supervision.
☑️ Quality	Excellent	TSS and CSS programs typically offer clinical supervision which will build a strong foundation to prepare for sober living.
📈 Volume	Good	These programs may vary in terms of the volume of referrals. However, they tend to have better volume than residential treatment centers, due to the shorter time under clinical supervision.
🎁 Funding	None

There are government and private programs that offer grant funding for residents (i.e. through MASH or RICARES). These residents are approved by the funding agency and often have specific agreements they enter with the funder. Always get (and keep) a copy of the funding agreement to avoid misunderstandings as well as delays and refusal of payment. 

• Make sure the referrals are appropriate for sober living and for your specific house.

• Most funding programs will screen applicants but their screening may be far different from the screening that you may feel is appropriate for your recovery home.

• Guests who receive funding have been observed to have a different approach to rent payment when the time comes that they must be accountable for their own living expenses
• Make sure that you know the terms and duration of the funding for each referral and that the resident is aware they will be responsible for payment when their funding ends.
• Cultivate a good relationship with your referral agencies so they understand what type of referrals are appropriate for your home(s).

🕓 Time	N/A	N/A
☑️ Quality	Depends	The quality of referrals from funding sources varies greatly. Some funding sources refer directly to sober living, some do not. Some work hand-in-hand with Corrections Departments agencies. There is much variety in these programs.
📈 Volume	Depends	Depending on the funding program, there may be a very high volume or referrals.
🎁 Funding	Excellent	This goes without saying 😊

 

Tier 2 referral sources are agencies and individuals that are not as consistent in either quality of quantity of referrals as Tier 1.

Outpatient Treatment offers a range of different structures for non-residential treatment from therapy to IOP. Intensive Outpatient programs (IOPs) may also be referred to as day programs. IOP clients often want to stay close to their program. IOP program management has a strong interest in having their clients have access to safe and supportive housing. Some IOPs will even rent beds or rooms to ensure their clients are stable and supported.

• Outpatient treatment for addiction

• Partial hospitalization program / PHP

• Methadone clinic

• Suboxone clinic

• Vivatrol clinic

• Subutex clinic

• Hospitals, general

🕓 Time	🟡 Okay
☑️ Quality	🟡 Okay
📈 Volume	🟡 Okay
🎁 Funding	None

 

Acute Treatment Services / Inpatient Detoxification (Detox): This type of treatment is a 24-hour inpatient, where the patient is monitored by medical professionals who ensure that the patient safely and completely detoxes from substances while managing withdrawal symptoms. ATS offers professional clinical support to help ensure that patients have an aftercare plan set up prior to being terminated.

Detox centers are some of the highest level of care in the continuum of care. The best referrals from detox centers are those with long-term recovery before their recent relapse. Many residents leaving detox should be encouraged to explore other levels of care before sober living.

In Massachusetts, the Department of Corrections (DOC) oversees all prisons, jails, prerelease programs, half-way houses, etc. They have a database of transitional housing accessible to all of the individuals in their subsidiary programs – specific to the DOC. Maintaining relationships with those who run the database is of utmost importance. Your state likely has a similar agency tasked with overseeing the prison system

The legal system is another core group of primary referral organization. The key personnel are managers of departments of officers and administrators, able to have departments refer applicants.

🕓 Time	💚 Excellent	Most criminal justice system referrals offer substantial time under supervision prior to release.
☑️ Quality	🟡 Okay	Unlike long-term residential programs, Corrections Departments programs do not tend to offer good treatment relative to substance use disorder.
📈 Volume	🟢 Good	These programs may vary in terms of the volume of referrals. However, they tend to have better volume than residential treatment centers, due to the shorter time under clinical supervision.
🎁 Funding	Depends	Some states offer generous funding for accepting Corrections Departments referrals.

 

🏛️ Probation & Parole Departments

Probation departments in local courthouses are good places to leave marketing materials and speak with officers. You can simply show up and ask to speak with the probation officers, let them know who you are and what you do, and leave them with materials.

• Drug court is a component of a court system focused on drug offenders

• Drug court is a department of a superior or district court

• Drug courts will often be affiliated with probation departments

• Drug court typically takes place at a certain time and place (details?)

Why work with drug court?

• Residents will be referred directly from drug court staff

• Residents will often have counseling and support in place

• Residents may be mandated to live in a sober house as an alternative to incarceration

These programs are designed to ease the transition form incarceration back into main stream society. Inmates are assisted with setting up services and housing so they are not released to the streets. Referrals from re-entry may be initiated by a request from the inmate or as part of the inmate's release agreement (typically through parole or probation). If the inmate has a history of substance use, they will often be required to go to residential treatment or sober living.

There are a number of different pre-release programs but they all focus on reducing the recidivism rates. Pre-Release programs always include a housing component but there may be individuals completing these programs who need a safe place to transition.

 

Recovery Coaches are often (but not always) affiliated with an agency or program. It's a good idea to connect with local recovery coaches and other allies in your community as recovery coaches themselves can often be a good direct referral source. Some recovery coaches are assigned to participants in funding programs.

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Other Referral Sources

• Faith organizations

• Other sober houses and community organizations

• Veterans organizations

• Needle exchange programs

• Aids prevention

• Community action committees / programs

• Public assistance programs

• Support groups for family members

• Emergency rooms
• Recovery support services

• Mental health clinic

• Counseling center / substance abuse counsellor