Attorneys from the Florida Healthcare Law Firm will hold a live call to present an urgently needed update regarding FARR certification.
The recent petition for Declaratory Statement filed with the Department of Children and Families on behalf of Amethyst Recovery Center focuses on one thing: whether the FARR certification requirements for Recovery Residences also apply to facilities licensed by DCF to provide Day and Night treatment with community housing and to Res-5 housing.  A review of FARR recovery residence certification shows that there is significant conflict with DCF requirements for licensure of treatment facilities that have a housing component.  There are no referrals to and from the community housing component of Day and Night or for Res 5: patients are simply housed under the DCF licensed component while in treatment. Referrals from Recovery Residences to addiction treatment facilities are generally made for individuals who are seeking treatment, not for housing.
Day and Night Treatment Providers with community housing may make referrals for individuals who have completed inpatient treatment, requiring them to step down to an outpatient provider. Many times, clients desire to live in a recovery residence to maintain their sobriety.  In that case, it would be appropriate for the Day and Night Treatment Provider to refer to a FARR-certified recovery residence.
When asked about why Amethyst filed for clarification, Pamela Springer, Chief Operating Officer with Amethyst Recovery Center stated, “Amethyst supports FARR’s mission and the State of Florida’s requirement for recovery residence certification. However, thus far, DCF has indicated to Amethyst Recovery Center that it does not require FARR certification for licensed community housing. FARR has stated to us and other providers that Day and Night treatment with community housing must obtain FARR certification or they will be in violation of the law. This is the reason we sought clarification from DCF”.
If history teaches anything, it’s to learn from it. The addiction treatment industry can’t afford to sit idly by and watch. Uniform application of the law is essential to avoid unfair, unreasonable and unintended results. Step up; show up. Register for FREE: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4977722626987986435 and stand up for your rights under Florida law.
