During Phase Two, we begin by developing a budget based on the owners’ / entities’ desires and financial tolerability. Start-up capital is usually comprised of cash and financing activities, with a goal of recuperating capital contributions through operating activities in the first couple of years. We will also assist the owners with setting up the appropriate business structure and will further investigate the regulations and code specific to the state your facility will be operated in, which will translate through all phases of development.

We will assist in the application for a behavioral health license if one is not already possessed by the entity. We will guide the application process, including best practice recommendations for communicating with state licensure bodies to alert them of the plans for the new facility. Support will be provided if there is a need to file for a Certificate Of Need (CON) or exemption.

We will work with you to complete all licensure applications, ensure receipt of CON or exemption and keep the state aware of all plans as we move forward to meet all applicable state codes (health, life, fire and safety). The clinical program of the residential treatment center will be intentionally designed to meet the licensing and regulatory requirements as well as the goals for treating guests of the center.

Ascension will simultaneously begin developing a draft proforma financial analysis, which will include:

• Staffing model and salaries
• Revenue stream projections & reimbursement rates
• Operational expenses
• Property lease vs buy analysis
• Analysis of the target number of patient beds to meet the financial goals

The proforma financials will be refined throughout the development period as we recognize actual expenses, negotiate rates with various insurers, establish staff salaries, etc.

During Phase Three, we will execute on our facility (property) decision made in Phase Two to either lease or purchase / build a facility. Should the owner wish to build the facility, Ascension offers property development services through our partner organization with more than 30 years in the commercial real estate development business. In previous engagements, we have purchased the land, hired the architects, engineers, commercial builders and fully managed the construction of the treatment center from start to finish. We will borrow the money and finance the project so you don’t have a large capital expense at project order. Should the owner choose to lease, build themselves or utilize existing space, Ascension will assist the architect and general construction contractor in the design and build of the facility and environment.

Ascension assists clients in developing the treatment model that will best serve the trade area. Ascension has implemented the following disciplines into various treatment programming in the past engagements: 

Developed a comprehensive business plan that sets the entity up for success

• 12-step facilitation model
• Group therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Rational Emotive Therapy (RET)
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• Systemic family counseling
• Mindfulness therapy
• Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
• Yoga and meditation
• Humanistic and existential psychology
• Motivational Interviewing (MI)
• Multi-cultural counseling and awareness
• Social integration
• Contingency Management
• Adaptive Information Processing (AIP)
• Trauma informed care
• And Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Ascension understands that addiction recovery is not a one size fits all approach, and we will be developing a program that provides a menu of evidence-based practice.

Ascension offers expertise and support to simplify and accelerate development of program materials, policy and procedure manuals and design of the patient’s daily schedule and curriculum. We have experience establishing Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems and can help you with a recommendation based on the size and scope of the proposed residential treatment center. Ascension will assist in developing other program materials such as the mission statement, code of conduct, employee handbook and referral package for potential patients. Ascension offers material resources and best practices to guide in the development of policies and procedures manuals specific to licensure requirements of the state where the facility will be located.

Our team will guide you through best practices for staff recruiting, interviewing, selection and training. We can advise on compensation for practitioners and other staff to ensure that they work within the overall budget. The staff may be comprised of addiction specialists, psychiatrists, psychologists, LPCs, LCSWs and non-clinical staff to include chemical dependency technicians / peer recovery coaches and volunteers. The staff will be the fabric of the center’s community and must be well versed in its mission.

Ascension’s industry leading marketing partners offer logo design and marketing of residential treatment facilities to assist with the branding and marketing of the new program. We work with the logo designer and marketing agency to develop a brand and image consistent with the goals developed in the previous phases. Marketing efforts are led by the agency and guided by Ascension. Ascension assists in the creation of a website and marketing materials by providing a draft of mutually agreeable content for the website and marketing materials.

Together, Ascension and our partner agency present an overall strategic marketing effort to reach appropriate audiences for building and maintaining patient census.

Ascension will assist you in researching applicable grants that can support the treatment center. We can also assist you with grant writing and execution of the grants if received. Ascension has assisted our partners in the search of grants, application process, narrative writing, budget creation and writing of the budget justification for various grants totaling millions of dollars for substance use disorder treatment, both state and federal, and participates in the execution of the grant, project management, final analysis and dissemination of final outcomes.

Ascension will assist in establishing a research component to the center to document evidence-based practices and outcomes. This research will be used to publish articles in popular media and journals, which will lend itself to the credibility of the center as a world-class treatment facility. Data and outcomes will be analyzed to ensure that your program is reaching its specific objectives and goals. The data we collect will also be used to justify further state and federal grant funding.

At the end of Phase Three, you will have completed the following efforts in preparation to open your doors and begin to change lives in your region:

• Developed a comprehensive business plan that sets the entity up for success
• Developed a world-class clinical program
• Established a licensed and credentialed facility that reflects the mission of the program
• Contracts established with all desired payers / insurers
• Created a robust website and marketing strategy
• Hired an experienced and well-trained team
• Grand opening