Treatment Clinic Update

For those who didn't know, TLC now operates an outpatient treatment clinic in conjunction with its 20-year-old halfway house program.

To update those who follow our progress, the treatment clinic has been open for a little over a month. Already we have five clients and the program is in the black – meaning we’ve have taken in more than we’ve spent. Kind of a surprise in a down economy and the start-up of a new business.

There are several reasons for our success. First we did intensive planning, starting about this time last summer. Then we had sort of a "perfect storm" of events that made our start up easier.

Another benefit is that we own the office space in which we operate the treatment clinic. That meant we didn't have to spend money on a building – other than upgrading and making a few minor cosmetic changes.

Another is that we have people with exactly the right experience.  Our volunteer consultant has expertise in licensing programs, and has 25 years' experience in the treatment field. We have another person - willing to work part time - who has experience with insurance companies. A clinical director was disgruntled in his current job and is seeking new opportunities. We found a holistic doctor to serve as our medical director. We have a TLC volunteer with expertise in teaching yoga, a component of our curriculum.

In a recent development - which we'll follow in this blog - we're setting aside ten halfway house beds for those who'd like to live at TLC and attend treatment. This is a low-cost option for those who can't afford expensive inpatient treatment programs - which can cost as much as $30,000 a month and more.

Clients can receive treatment at TLC Outpatient Clinic while living at the halfway house for around $600 a week.