Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Mandates Statewide Certification for Recovery Housing Operators
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed an executive order empowering the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health to establish a statewide certification program for recovery housing operators. This action comes in response to a significant increase in recovery houses, which have grown by nearly 400% to over 1,700 facilities since 2022. The rapid expansion has led to concerns about inadequate oversight and substandard living conditions in some uncertified homes, particularly in southern Ohio, a region heavily affected by the opioid epidemic. State Representative Justin Pizzulli highlighted instances of severe neglect, including unsanitary conditions and overcrowding, in facilities meant to aid individuals in recovery. The executive order aims to address these issues by strengthening monitoring, enhancing compliance, and creating a more uniform system to protect vulnerable individuals seeking recovery services. The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health will now have the authority to ensure providers operate within ... 
