Referral packet
Decide if Vera's Place is the right fit before you send a referral.
Three documents, one link. Read the standards, look at the house, and if it fits, send the form. Share this page with a colleague, a client, or a family in one click.
1
Program Standards
One page, plain language: who it's for, cost, MAT, daily structure, work, substance use, safety, and resident rights. Read this first.
2
Brochure
Front and back: the house in photos, the three ways in, and the standards at a glance. Print it for a binder or forward it to a family.
3
Referral Form
Fillable PDF, or the same form online that composes the email for you. Minimum identifying information only.
Quick fit check
Is this the right house for the person you have in mind?
If all four are true, send the referral. If one isn't, email us anyway; we'll help find the right level of care.
They're 18 or older and coming directly from inpatient (residential) D&A treatment — detox-only does not qualify —
and are committed to sobriety and willing to take part in the program.
Their MAT is Suboxone, Vivitrol, or none
Methadone is not supported within the residence.
$655 a month is workable
from income, family, or county/SCA funding. No deposit, no application fee.
They can live with the structure
8 PM curfew, a meeting every day, outpatient three days a week, weekly house meeting, no overnight guests.
Program standards
The full standards, on this page.
Who Vera's Place is for
- Adults coming directly from an inpatient (residential) drug and alcohol treatment program who are committed to sobriety and willing to take part in the program. A detox-only stay does not qualify on its own.
- No bed open? The Worx! Recovery Housing Bridge Program houses eligible people free of charge while they wait for a DDAP-licensed bed (Allegheny County residents with active Medicaid). Current residents can also be referred to its Recovery House Scholarship. the-worx--crm.web.app/willstan
- Men's House: licensed and accepting. Women's House: licensure in progress; waitlist open.
- Vera's Place does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability. Each house is single-gender under fair housing exemptions for recovery residences.
Cost
- $655 per month per bed, due on the 1st. No application fee, no security deposit, no program fees.
- Paid by money order, bank transfer (ACH), Zelle, or certified check. Cash is not accepted. A receipt is issued for every payment.
- Late fee of $10 per day after the due date, up to 5 days. If money is going to be a problem, tell staff before a payment is missed; a written payment plan is available.
- Drug and alcohol screenings are at no charge to the resident.
Medication and MAT
- Suboxone (buprenorphine) and Vivitrol (naltrexone) are supported, with prescribing and oversight through our clinical partnership with Allegheny Health Network (AHN).
- Methadone is not supported within the residence. We will help identify an appropriate level of care.
- All medications are declared at intake and taken only as prescribed. Sharing, hoarding, or misusing medication is treated as a relapse event.
Daily structure
- Curfew is 8:00 PM every day unless staff approves otherwise. Residents stay in the house overnight.
- One AA/NA or approved recovery meeting every day, and outpatient treatment at least three days a week.
- Daily chores, clean shared spaces, and a weekly house meeting where attendance is required and progress is recognized.
- Visitors are scheduled in advance, approved by staff, and stay in common areas. No overnight guests.
Work and money
- The first 72 hours are for settling in; no work during the stabilization period.
- Part-time work comes first, then full-time once stability is shown. Schedules are approved by staff and must end by 5:00 PM unless approved.
- No jobs in bars, nightclubs, liquor stores, or anywhere alcohol is the main business.
- Residents save 20% of each paycheck toward independent housing and report income honestly. Unemployed residents spend four hours a day with peer support on recovery and job readiness; employed residents meet with peer support one hour a day.
Substance use and relapse
- Zero tolerance for use or possession of drugs, alcohol, or paraphernalia. Random screenings can happen at any time; refusing a screen counts as a positive.
- A relapse leads to a drug and alcohol assessment and a clinical recommendation. Relapse does not automatically mean discharge; refusing the recommendation can.
- Immediate discharge: substance use or possession, criminal activity, weapons, or letting unauthorized people into the house.
Safety
- Narcan is on site at all times, clearly marked, and available to staff and trained residents.
- Smoke detectors and fire extinguishers throughout; evacuation drills; no open flames. Smoking only in the designated area.
- All incidents are documented and reported as DDAP requires.
Recovery Points
- Residents earn points for consistent meeting attendance, outpatient participation, chores, employment progress, and sobriety milestones (30, 60, 90 days and beyond).
- Points are redeemed for privileges and recognition, including Resident of the Month. Points never override house rules.
Resident rights
- Every resident has the right to dignity and respect, a safe and clean residence, privacy and confidentiality, clear expectations, fair and consistent enforcement, and to file a grievance without retaliation.
- Grievances are acknowledged within 3 business days and answered within 10. Residents may also contact the PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs at any time: (717) 783-8200, ddap.pa.gov.