UMD Announces Partnership with The Haven at College

The University of Maryland has announced a partnership with The Haven at College to design and implement additional programs to support students in recovery from addiction. UMD and The Haven, a national provider of on-campus addiction treatment and recovery support services, will work together to launch designated housing for students in recovery and an outpatient center that offers a supportive residential environment with specialized programming.

The self-sustaining recovery house and center will be located off-campus, and will provide students with services to help them achieve and maintain sobriety while pursuing their degrees. This includes individual counseling, group therapy, accountability programs, mentoring and monitoring programs, and community peer-support meetings and events. In addition, the outpatient center will offer evidence-based recovery treatment and services to address substance abuse in a safe and relatable space, helping students maintain an active academic and social life.

The recovery house is still in its early planning stages, with an anticipated opening date of fall 2018.

“I’m happy that we’ve been able to develop this partnership with The Haven at College,” said David McBride, director, University of Maryland Health Center. “In speaking with other universities who have partnered with them, we were made aware of their strong track record in helping college students in recovery. A visit to the center in Philadelphia last year was eye opening, and I feel great about the collaborative process that we’ve used to arrive at this relationship.”

The Haven at College is committed to creating peer-led, clinically supervised residential communities “where students help each other navigate early sobriety, identifying with each other’s challenges and sharing successes.” The organization has experience in establishing and operating recovery residences and outpatient centers, with haven residencies at five universities across the country. Through their partnerships, The Haven leases the property, hires staff, and rents directly to students interested in recovery housing.

"The Haven is delighted to partner with the University of Maryland to provide support for students in and seeking recovery from substance use issues," said Holly Sherman, co-founder of The Haven at College. "We are excited about collaborating with students and administrators to support the "Terps for Recovery" community, provide outpatient treatment to those who need it, and cultivate a network of peer mentors who lead by example as we smash the stigma of addiction and encourage more students and families to reach out if they need help."

The collaboration between UMD and The Haven began in September 2016 when the Division of Student Affairs at UMD, prompted by outreach from students struggling with addiction and their families, engaged Recovery Grads, LLC, to provide recommendations about opportunities to improve its services to students in recovery.

"We are committed to the health and safety of our students," said Mary Hummel, assistant vice president, Student Affairs at UMD. "We value the input of our community, as we continue to develop and implement services and resources that meet the needs of our students, and support health lifestyles and decision making."

Establishing a recovery house at UMD will involve close collaboration with the University Health Center, Counseling Center, Department of Resident Life, Office of Parent and Family Affairs, and the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, as well current students and their parents.