To whom it may concern,

I am a member of an Oxford House in the state of VA. I am very concerned regarding my recovery Oxford Houses will have to participate in the DBHDS draft rules regarding the states "Uniform Standards" operating as a "commercial business."

Oxford House is not a commercial business but a democratically operated Recovery House following guidelines of Oxford House Virginia. Recovering members VOTE on all items related to the operation of the House from toilet paper to House President to paying all utilities for the House to function as one. Having a "MANAGER" telling everyone what to do would not work in this atmosphere of recovery.

Since I have been a member at a Oxford House I have been and remain I have made many friends and regularly attend local meeting and have helped at local charities. I was not told to do these thing but asked to participate by my House. I have come a long way by participating in the Oxford House Model for recovery. I am sober, I maintain a full time job, pay my bills and have developed friendships with other recovering members. I am very happy with the progress I have made at Oxford House and having attended other commercial treatment facilities with "MANAGERS", paying large amount of costs with zero recovery from those treatment centers.

All I want to say is the Oxford House Model has and is still working for me and do not wish to have my recovery disrupted by DBHDS. I have made friends with and see actual recoveries working with my House Members and with many other members at other Houses of the Oxford House Model. The Oxford House Mode is not just in use in Virginia but all 50 United Stated and many countries around the world. We are not "OPERATORS" of a facility but MEMBERS who together have found a way for our recovery to happen without "MANAGERS."

IF SOMETHING IS NOT BROKE DON'T FIX IT!

DBHDS and the Virginia Association of Recovery Residences for commercial, staffed homes has NO PLACE IN OXFORD HOUSE RESIDENCES. We Are Not A Commercial Operation!

I appreciate your attention to this matter,

Jeffrey Kelsey