MASH Certification Guidebook

Gain a clear, step-by-step roadmap to meet today's certification standards and open your sober home with confidence.

Massachusetts Laws & Regulations

Learn exactly how to stay compliant with state housing laws so you can operate legally, safely, and sustainably.

Funding & Referrals

Discover proven strategies to secure funding and build referral partnerships that keep your home full and financially stable.

About the Course

Opening a sober house in Massachusetts is one of the most meaningful ways to support recovery in your community—but the process can feel complex and overwhelming. This course walks you step-by-step through state certification requirements, operational standards, and practical strategies used by successful operators. You’ll finish equipped to launch a compliant, sustainable sober living home that changes lives.

What This Course Delivers

Every Stage, Step-by-Step

Follow clear instructions, checklists, and templates to confidently handle every part of opening and operating a sober home—from certification and legal compliance to funding and referral partnerships.

Proven Operational Systems

Access ready-to-use tools, policies, and management systems built from years of real-world experience running successful, compliant recovery homes.

Real-World Insights

Learn what truly works in Massachusetts recovery housing through case studies, expert commentary, and tested strategies from professionals in the field.

Meet Your Instructor: Dr. Hunter T. Foote

Dr. Hunter T. Foote is a nationally recognized developer and advocate for structured recovery residences. Drawing on nearly a decade of work establishing and supporting recovery homes across the United States, Dr. Foote breaks down the principles that make recovery housing both effective and sustainable. Students will gain a clear understanding of how these homes operate, why they matter, and how they transform communities by providing safe, supportive environments for individuals in recovery. Whether you’re a housing professional, operator, or community partner, this course offers practical insight and inspiration from one of the field’s foremost practitioners.

Course Curriculum

10 Chapters · 39 Lessons

  1. 1

    🖋️ Start Here: How This Course Helps You Succeed

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      🏡 What Recovery Housing Makes Possible

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      👤 Who Built This Course and Why It Works

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      💜 The System and Experience Behind This Training

  2. 2

    🌍 Recovery Ecosystems in Massachusetts

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      How Sober Living Works in Massachusetts

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Key Terms You Must Understand in Massachusetts

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      The Continuum of Care in MA

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      How to Identify and Secure Referral Sources

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      How to Keep Beds Filled in Massachusetts

  3. 3

    💲 Funding for Residents & Operators

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      How to Unlock Resident Funding in MA

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Startup Funding Options for Operators

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Real Estate Financing in Massachusetts

  4. 4

    ⚖️ Legal Foundations in Massachusetts

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      What the Law Allows and Protects in Massachusetts

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Fire & Building Code Requirements in Massachusetts

  5. 5

    ☑️ Getting MASH Certified

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      The Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Why Certification Increases Credibility and Revenue

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      What Standards Your Home Must Meet

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Step-by-Step: How to Get MASH Certified

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      How to Stay Certified and Avoid Problems

  6. 6

    📄 Legal Setup: Documents You Must Have

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Required Documents for Sole Proprietors

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Required Documents for LLCs

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Required Documents for Corporations (including nonprofit)

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Additional Documents Required When Leasing

  7. 7

    🛡️ Insurance Requirements in Massachusetts

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Minimum Insurance Coverage Requirements

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      How to Submit Acceptable Proof of Insurance

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Obtaining a Compliant Insurance Binder

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      ✔️ Insurance Compliance Checklist

  8. 8

    ⚙️ Operations: Running a Compliant Sober House

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Resident Agreement & Handbook

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      House Rules, Policies, and Procedures

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Required Posters in the Home

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Incident Reporting Procedures

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Software & Recordkeeping Standards

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      ✔️ Operations & Document Checklist

  9. 9

    🛠️ Physical Requirements for Homes in MA

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      ✔️ Building Checklist

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Fire Safety Requirements

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Minimum Room Sizes

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Fire Evacuation Plan

  10. 10

    🎉 Conclusion

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      📝 Final Exam and Course Certificate

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      💡 Course Feedback and Improvements

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      💭 Your Next Steps as a Certified Operator

Ready to Begin Your Journey?

Take the next step toward launching a certified, compliant, and thriving recovery home —enroll today and start building your impact.

Enroll Now