How Does Vanderburgh Sober Living Screen Applicants?

Learn About VSL’s Guest Application Screening Process

At Vanderburgh Sober Living, our mission is to help create recovery-focused communities that support individuals recovering from drug or alcohol addiction. In collaboration with the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR), we ensure our homes meet the highest standards, offering a supportive environment for both our guests and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Our primary goal is to assist guests in maintaining sobriety and building a strong foundation for an independent, healthy life. Through our rigorous screening process, we work to match applicants with homes that fit their recovery journey. This process includes a comprehensive assessment of recovery status, sober date, and substance history, helping ensure compatibility with our sober living communities.

VSL Guest Application Screening Process Graphic

Recovery History and Goals

The first and most important part of the application review focuses on the applicant’s recovery history. This helps us ensure that potential guests are a good fit for our recovery communities and that we can support them effectively. During the application process, we ask applicants about:

Their recovery journey: Where they are in their recovery, including their sober date and experiences in maintaining sobriety.
Recovery support structure: Information about their support system, such as recovery meetings, sponsors, or mentors.
Recovery goals: Their short- and long-term objectives for recovery and how they plan to achieve them.

This helps us determine how best we can support each individual while ensuring they are committed to a recovery-focused lifestyle.

Criminal History, Probation, and Parole

We recognize that many of our applicants may have had experience with the criminal justice system and we serve many guests who are currently on probation or parole. We have strong relationships with probation and parole departments and gladly accept referrals from most branches of the criminal justice system. Here’s our perspective:

Criminal Record Inquiry: We ask each applicant for description of their history with the criminal justice system, if applicable.
Details on Convictions: Applicants must provide information on the nature of any convictions, including the type of offense and any relevant details.
Violent Crimes: Applicants with violent criminal histories are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Non-Negotiable Offenses: Applicants with convictions for sex offenses or arson are not accepted under any circumstances, as these offenses conflict with our mission of providing a supportive recovery environment.
Probation/Parole Information: We ask for details about the applicant’s probation or parole officer, if applicable. Applicants are required to provide the officer’s name and contact information (phone number and email address), allowing us to collaborate with them to ensure the applicant remains in compliance with the terms of their probation or parole.

Our approach ensures that both the prospective guest and our team are aligned in supporting a recovery focused environment and helping the guest in maintaining compliance with the terms of their probation or parole, fostering accountability throughout their stay.

Medical Background

To support each guest’s recovery journey, we gather relevant medical background information, which includes:

Health Insurance: While we do not accept insurance for rent payments, knowing if an applicant has health coverage helps us understand their access to medical care.
Medication: If the applicant is taking prescribed medications, we collect details to ensure they can safely manage their health in a communal living setting.
Treatment Programs: Information about ongoing or previous treatment programs is gathered, including case worker contact details and program specifics, ensuring continuity in care.

Rent and Financial Stability

At Vanderburgh Sober Living, we understand that financial stability is often an area of growth for many individuals in early recovery. Our goal is to gain a deeper understanding of each applicant’s financial situation rather than just verifying their ability to pay rent.

Many of our guests pay rent through employment income, but others may rely on support from family or friends as they continue to build financial independence. Additionally, we offer scholarships and other forms of financial assistance to those who qualify, helping ensure that finances don’t become a barrier to a successful recovery.

By assessing an applicant’s financial situation in a holistic way, we aim to provide the necessary support as they work towards long-term stability.

If you have any more specific questions about our acceptance criteria, click here for more information. Vanderburgh Sober Living is committed to providing a supportive environment for individuals in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. However, we are also committed to ensuring that our homes coexist within their communities. By carefully screening applicants, we are taking steps to provide a supportive and effective recovery home environment for our guests, as well as function within our houses’ many communities.

Apply to live in a VSL recovery home today!