We Protect Recovery Housing Across California
Advocacy, education, and community action to ensure fair, compassionate, and lawful treatment of recovery residences. Get Involved About CABAT01
What We Do
CABAT unites operators, advocates, and community partners to defend recovery housing from stigma, misinformation, and unlawful local actions. We provide policy leadership, legal clarity, and statewide coordination to ensure people in recovery have access to safe, supportive homes.
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Our Approach
We combine grassroots advocacy with policy expertise. CABAT monitors local and state developments, mobilizes members when action is needed, and works directly with policymakers to uphold California law. Our approach is collaborative, data‑driven, and grounded in compassion.
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Our Mission
To protect and expand access to recovery housing by ensuring fair treatment under the law, elevating the voices of people in recovery, and promoting evidence‑based practices that strengthen communities across California.
About
About Our Coalition
The California Alliance for Behavioral Health and Treatment (CABAT) is a statewide coalition dedicated to safeguarding recovery residences and the individuals they serve. We work to ensure that local and state policies reflect compassion, fairness, and the realities of recovery. Our members include treatment providers, advocates, legal experts, and community allies committed to protecting access to care.
Advocacy & Growth
CABAT strengthens the recovery housing landscape by supporting operators, educating communities, and expanding awareness of the essential role these homes play. We help organizations grow responsibly while navigating complex regulatory environments.
Policy & Legal Insight
Our members track legislation, analyzes regulatory trends, and provide guidance to ensure recovery residences are treated fairly. CABAT works to prevent unlawful local barriers and promote consistent statewide standards.
Stats
CABAT by the Numbers
Our impact is growing — and so is the movement for fair recovery housing.
Californians supported through member organizations
Recovery residences represented statewide
Policy initiatives advanced
Counties engaged in advocacy efforts
Building Dialogue With Cities Across Orange County
CABAT has been actively meeting with city councils and city management teams throughout Orange County to discuss recovery residences and strengthen communication between local governments, CABAT, and NARR.
These conversations help clarify state law, address misconceptions, and create space for collaborative problem‑solving. By opening direct lines of dialogue, CABAT supports cities in making informed decisions while ensuring that recovery housing is treated fairly and consistently.
Elevating Statewide Dialogue on Recovery Housing
CABAT highlights an op‑ed by Pete Nielsen, published in Capitol Weekly, titled “California Can Fix Recovery Housing—If It Stops Treating It Like Treatment.”
In the piece, Nielsen outlines key challenges facing recovery residences and offers insights into how California can strengthen access and consistency statewide. By sharing articles like this, CABAT helps inform public conversation and encourages evidence‑based understanding of recovery housing policy.
Supporting Recovery Happens at the State Capitol
Each year, thousands of individuals in recovery, treatment providers, and community organizations gather in Sacramento for Recovery Happens — a statewide rally celebrating recovery and raising awareness.
CABAT participates by supporting members, amplifying their voices, and helping highlight the essential role recovery housing plays in California’s behavioral health system. The event brings energy, visibility, and unity to the movement mid‑year.







