SOBER LIVING CERTIFICATION INITIATIVE

In 2017, Yale New Haven Health Lawrence + Memorial Hospital awarded Community Speaks Out a $5000 grant to train and certify privately owned or operated sober living homes in New London County. CSO members attended specialized instruction to become qualified to train sober living home managers in best practices as set forth by the National Alliance of Recovery Residences. CSO board member Melissa Ford is the active sober living certification training specialist. Sober living homes participate in the certification process on a volunteer basis. CSO firmly believes that the certification process is a positive first step in bringing accountability and improved quality of living to our local sober homes.

On January 16, 2018, Community of Hope became CSO's first certified sober house in the state of Connecticut. The certification was presented at the first annual Community of Hope Snow Flake Ball that same year.