A longtime healthcare provider for youths struggling with addiction is closing its operations.
The organization announced on September 25 that it would shutter all six of its treatment facilities by the end of the month. Leaders of the organization endeavored to decommission it due to a lack of funding.
Phoenix House Texas, founded in 1995, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing services for youths suffering from substance abuse disorder and co-occurring mental health issues. The organization operated in Austin, San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) recently visited Dallas to discuss the ongoing fentanyl crisis. He urged parents to advise their children on the dangers associated with the drug, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
After nearly three decades in operation, the organization announced that it was closing down all of its residential and outpatient treatment programs and assessments. The organization explained that it has not been able to successfully negotiate “sustainable” reimbursement rates with Texas Health and Human Services to continue its operations.
“Over the last several years, the number of unfunded youth we serve has continued to grow, and we have adjusted to work to meet the need of unfunded and underfunded youth specifically over youth with alternate treatment options,” said Drew Dutton, president and CEO of the organization. “Despite our best efforts to balance staff compensation and reduce overhead costs, the current financial landscape poses insurmountable challenges.”
Phoenix House in Dallas is the last residential youth treatment center in North Texas and serves 30 residents, according to The Texas Tribune. Dutton told the news outlet that the closure could not have happened at a worse time.
“This is when we feel like Texas needs us the absolute most, and we’re having to close our doors and turn away patients,” said Dutton.
Youth180, another intervention and treatment program that has worked with Phoenix House Texas, announced that it is preparing to receive an ”overwhelming influx of youth treatment inquiries” due to the shutdown of the facilities and is preparing to offer assistance for youths in need. The organization believes that overdose cases may rise in the coming months due to the loss of Phoenix House’s facilities.
“Our organization will never turn youth away for the inability to pay, but with the rising costs of recovery support and limited funding amid an opioid crisis, we need contributions for operational expenses as we expand services to keep up with the demand,” said Keri Stitt, president and CEO of Youth180, per a press release. “We urge the community to get involved and support our organization financially so we can continue to serve as many youth and families during this difficult time.”
“We understand that this decision will have a significant impact on the youth in need of treatment and the partners that we work with. We are working around the clock to ensure a smooth transition of all current patients, and we are working to coordinate plans for referrals moving forward with providers who are able to step up to take these youth,” said Dutton.
