Renewal House

What We Do
In 1997, Renewal House moved to a permanent location in north Nashville consisting of an apartment building for 17 families in the early to mid-phases of recovery, and an apartment building for 15 families who are in the latter phases of the program, or who meet other eligibility requirements. Program and administrative offices are located on-site.

Residential Program (615) 255-5222 extension 112
The Residential Program for Mothers offers safe drug-free living combined with wrap around services such as intensive case management, life skills and parenting education and vocational assistance. Mothers and children live together in fully furnished independent apartments for up to 15 months while the mother receives treatment for her addiction. The program is highly structured and consists of 5 phases which have specific tasks and associated privleges. Each of the phases is designed to help a woman integrate recovery, parenting and employment. In order to graduate from the program, a woman must have held a job for 90 days and established permanent family housing outside of Renewal House. Upon graduation, a mother will transition to the Aftercare Program in which a Case Manager works with her for 6 months to ensure she is continuing her recovery, maintaining employment and housing stability and caring for her children.

Eligibility Requirements* to enter the Residential Program

The applicant must be a mother with an addiction
She must have physical custody of 1 or 2 children aged 10 or younger OR be pregnant (no more than 2 children can accompany a mother while at Renewal House)
She must be physically and mentally capable of full-time employment
She must desire recovery, expanded parenting skills, career development and employment
She must be already receiving or eligible for the Families First (TANF) program
It is beneficial if she meets the criteria for the HUD Homeless Assistance Program

*Priority consideration is given to women who are pregnant and/or IV drug users and/or have involvement with the Department of Children's Services (DCS)

Referrals to the Renewal House Residential Program
Any agency, institution, or individual can initiate a referral to the Renewal House Residential Program. A referral is complete once the applicant/prospective resident has completed a 30-minute phone call referred to as a Screening. An hour-long, face-to-face Interview is then scheduled if the applicant appears to be eligible. During the Interview the woman’s motivation and commitment level are assessed and suitability for the program evaluated. The results of the Interview are presented to the Clinical Team and a decision is made to admit the woman to the program or to refer her to another program or other services. It is not uncommon for a woman to be asked to meet directly with the Clinical Team before a determination is made. Additionally, the Clinical Team may ask her to further demonstrate her commitment by completing a list of tasks before a determination is made. Once a woman is told that she will be admitted to the Residential Program and her name placed on the list for admission, she must call the Admissions Coordinator on a weekly basis to maintain her spot. Failure to maintain the weekly contact will result in being moved to the bottom of the waiting list. Her name is removed from the waiting list entirely after a 2-week period of no contact.

CALL (615) 255-5222, ext. 112 for more information.

Children’s Program (615) 255-5222, extension 112

Mothers and their children are in recovery together at Renewal House. Upon moving to Renewal House, the entire family’s needs are assessed and addressed. Mothers receive a variety of referrals to parenting and children’s resources, which may include developmental assessments, family therapy, children’s mental health services, case management, and individual or group counseling. Residential mothers work with a variety of providers such as Nurses for Newborns, HUGS, Parent Pathway, Tennessee Early Intervention Services, and Family and Children’s Service. In 2005, Project MAGIC was developed, and in 2006 became a regular program for both our resident mothers and our resident and off-site children, addressing such issues as children’s developmental needs, communication skills, discipline and consistency, and above all, alcohol and drug abuse prevention.

Intensive Outpatient Program for Women (615) 255-5222, extension 127 or 128

The Women's Intensive Outpatient Program seeks to meet the needs of chemically dependent women in a holistic, gender-specific format. The program includes:: Experiential Group Therapy
Spirituality Groups
Relationships and Domestic Violence Groups
Parenting Training
Daily 12-Step and Peer Support Meetings
Women without insurance are accepted under a state grant from the Tennessee Department of Health Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services. TennCare participants are accepted. The Women's Intensive Outpatient Program is licensed by the Tennessee Department of Health.

Case Management
For women who are not ready to enter the Intensive Outpatient Program, Renewal House offers treatment readiness services using a motivational group format. All women who enter the Intensive Outpatient Program are offered case management services for up to six weeks after completing the program. Transportation is provided if needed.

Eligibility Requirements:

She must be a woman with an active addiction
She must desire recovery
She must meet American Society of Addiction Medicine for intensive outpatient treatment.
She does not need insurance to enter this program

Referrals to Intensive Outpatient Program
An agency, institution or individual can make referrals to the intensive outpatient program. Referrals are received by phone at which time a screening process begins.

An intake interview will take approximately 2 hours. During this time an ASI (Addiction Severity Index) will be conducted to assess the treatment needs of the individual. Treatment placement is based on ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) criteria. If the Renewal House Intensive Outpatient Program is not appropriate based on ASAM criteria, the individual will be referred to another treatment provider based on the level of treatment needed.

Click here for the initial screening form for Women's Intensive Outpatient Program Services.

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Call (615) 255-5222 ext 127 or 128 for more information.
Fax referral form to (615) 255-4090.

Affordable Housing available after graduation
The Renewal House "B" building community provides safe, affordable housing in an alcohol and drug-free living environment. The community is open to all women in recovery. For more information, call (615) 255-5222, extension 111.

Click here for an apartment application

Application can be faxed to (615) 255-4090 or mailed to:
Renewal House
ATTN: Assistant Director
P.O. Box 280356
Nashville, TN 37228-0356

Freda's Story (continued)
"I can remember when the lights were on and I wasn't getting high; I would always try to watch The Oprah Winfrey Show. For some reason Oprah had a way of making my spirit surface and cry out for help. I would often pray to God for help. I would ask him, 'What's wrong with me, I don't want to live like this, but I don't know how not to; show me what to do God, please!' After praying this prayer one evening, I remember seeing an advertisement on television for Renewal House. God had sent me a way out." Click on the Special Happenings page to hear more of her story.
---Freda, Renewal House graduate

"Renewal House helped me to make the honor roll."
Casey, age 9

"Renewal House helped me get over my past."
James, age 10

"I like to be with my mom."
Keisha, age 6