Program Overview


·The Nehemiah Program is a Faith-Based Recovery Support Services Program.

·The program requires a six-month commitment.

·All participants must agree to comply with program guidelines at all times.

·Participants must work during their stay to pay for their recovery.

·We will attempt to secure employment for you through our Back to Work Program.

·Coordination with Courts and Parole or Probation Offices is provided.

·Transitional Housing, Meals, and Transportation are furnished.

·Successful graduates are eligible for a $600 housing subsidy.




Our goal is to graduate participants drug and alcohol free, and:


1) Independently employed, we are the leading staffing agency in Nashville and can help you attain gainful employment in a timely manner.

2) Living in a safe and sober environment, and


3) Participating in regular and meaningful groups that support sobriety such as church, Alcoholics Anonymous, Celebrate Recovery, or Narcotics Anonymous. A final written plan for sober living must also be written, and a drug screening must be passed. Meet us at one of the best coffee shops in Nashville and lets take the next step forward.


Planning to Maintain Sobriety: Individualized Care Plans and Case Management

Soon after arrival, each participant will be asked to participate in an individual intake session intended to assess their strengths and weaknesses, and to establish a consumer directed care plan. That means that the participant will be asked to think about where they are at the moment; where they would like to be in the future; and what steps they must take (and when they must take them) in order to achieve their goals. This individualized plan will become the map for their recovery support, and will be used to measure their progress along the way. The more the person in recovery participates in establishing and following this plan, the greater their chances for sustaining sobriety.

Initial and ongoing drug screening is an essential part of the Case Management process; drug and alcohol screening will be conducted at random during the participant’s stay.


  • Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC)

    Defined in recent years by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a ROSC in any community is a collection of any and all services, agencies, and resources, and individuals that are part of enhancing an individual’s sobriety.

    We coordinate services with various other service providers on behalf of our students as needed, securing needed services such as health or dental services or replacing essential items such as lost personal identification. Our staff also works with other agencies such as parole and probation offices, criminal and drug courts, and child support agencies to promote compliance and enhance recovery by eliminating stress related to previously unaddressed but pressing legal matters.


What are Recovery Support Services (RSS)?

Safe Harbor is a church, independent of denomination, offering a faith-based RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES program. We are an approved provider of Recovery Support Services by both the Tennessee Department of Health’s Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services (DADAS) and the Arkansas Department of Human Services (Access to Recovery). Recovery Support Services are designed to enhance and reinforce recovery after participation in inpatient licensed Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation programs. We do not offer medical detox services, and the program we administer employs a combination of pastors, lay-ministers, volunteers, and peer coaches (people in recovery with long term sobriety) who have been trained in core competencies that relate guiding and supporting others in recovery. Our program is designed to provide a safe drug and alcohol free environment and structured support program in which participants regain their work skills and habits; learn about recovery and relapse prevention; and to prepare to live a sober, independent life after graduation.


‘Nehemiah Program’

Our Recovery Support Services Program is Called the ‘Nehemiah Program’

This is a reference to the Biblical story, in the Old Testament Book of Nehemiah (originally from the Jewish Torah), about the efforts of the children of Israel to rebuild the wall around the city ofJerusalem. In those days, massive walls were constructed around cities to protect inhabitants from outside threats. In the case of those we serve, their ‘walls of protection’ have been destroyed, and lacking the right skills to maintain sobriety they are exposed and in danger. Just as the Israelites worked together to rebuild the broken wall and secure themselves from danger, we work together with our participants so that they may regain their strength and rebuild their broken lives.


Chapel Services

Daily Christian Worship services are offered to those who wish express their faith through praise and worship, and to grow in their understanding through sermons and Bible lessons offered by our lay-ministers and ordained clergy. At Safe Harbor, we comply with the Charitable Choice Act, and so participants who decline to participate in sectarian activities will be allowed to use that time to work on their recovery materials. Due to staffing and supervision requirements individuals who elect this option must do so in an area in proximity to the chapel. Our after service gatherings are catered by some of the best restaurants in Nashville TN


A Day at Safe Harbor

A Day at Safe Harbor

Students With Employment

4:30 – 5:00 AM              Morning Devotions and Breakfast; Depart for Work

Students Training to Return to Work1

6:00   –   7:00 AM          Morning Devotions and Breakfast; Morning Fitness if Able

7:00   –   8:00 AM          Morning Work Training2

8:00   –   9:00 AM          Pastoral Support Group (Or Alternate Recovery Activity)

9:00   – 10:00 AM          Personal Time3

10:00 – 11:00 AM          12-Step Group

11:00 – 12:00 PM          Lunch

12:00 –   1:00 PM          Anger Management

1:00   –   4:00 PM          Afternoon Work Training

4:00   –   5:00 PM          Personal Time

5:00   –    6:00 PM         Dinner

6:00   –   7:00 PM          Evening Recovery Support Group

7:00   –   9:30 PM           Personal Time

9:30 PM          Roll Call / Lights Out

1Students are training to return to the workforce from Intake; most re-enter the workplace at 15 to 30 days provided their drug screening is negative (some drug metabolites take 30 days to clear) and they have a personalized written relapse prevention plan.

2As a condition of their participation in the Nehemiah Program students must participate in preparation to return to work; each must also help take care of the facility as part of their training. Work Program Specialists observe their work and coach them on teamwork and work quality.

3Personal Time: Students have personal time which they use for personal study, rest, or recreation. A recreation room as well as a library and basic fitness equipment is available. Recovery Recreation activities vary by location and typically include movie, museum, sports, camping, or other events of interest that are designed to teach students that it is possible to enjoy activities without using drugs or alcohol.


Graduation Requirements

1.   Minimum 6 month stay in Program of Occupy Nashville Certification

2.   No major infractions in the past 90 days

3.   Completed Relapse Prevention Plan

4.   Outside Housing (Home Plan)

5.   Outside Employment (Job Plan)

6.   Membership in an outside church or

support group

7.   Clean Drug Screen

8.   Completed curriculum of 12-step,

Pastoral Support, & Anger

Management

9.   A minimum 12 hours each of all

4 Curriculums: Fatherhood, Relapse

Prevention, Money Management, and

Employment Skills.

10. Recommendation Letter from the

Program Director.


Server IP: 50.18.238.17