Our complaint process is a vital part of maintaining safe recovery housing in Rhode Island. The complaint process will address violations of existing housing certification requirements.

Filing a complaint is a way to resolve an interpersonal conflict that a resident believes may negatively affect their recovery; the complaint process also serves to resolve a conflict between residents and the house manager, operator, or organization.

The complaint process shall not be used as a threat to keep recovery residents, managers, and operators in compliance with the house rules. The complaint process shall protect recovery house residents from violations of their human rights to live in safe and secure housing as certified by the State of Rhode Island.

This process includes a wide range of tools to respond to concerns. This includes referring residents to another agency, face to face mediation, training for operators, quality improvement plans with achievable target dates, information gathering and problem-solving proposals, and voluntary relocation of a resident to another certified house.

RICARES will independently alert the proper authorities if there appears to be an imminent threat of harm. If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.