On May 29, 2018, the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) issued a memorandum to all licensed service providers reminding them that, effective July 1, 2018, any and all referrals to any recovery residences may only be made to a home certified by the Florida Association of Recovery Residences (FARR).
There had been prior confusion as to whether this law, codified within s. 397.4873, Florida Statutes (“Referrals to or from recovery residences”) applied to outpatient housing owned and/or provided by a treatment provider under a PHP or Level 5 Residential Treatment license.
DCF, in coordination with FARR and the Palm Beach County Sober Home Task Force, has reaffirmed that all PHP (Day/Night with Community Housing) and Res. 5 recovery residences are required to obtain FARR certification in order to refer or accept referrals. There are no longer any exceptions provided in statute or 65D-30.
Applications must be submitted and complete by July 1.