Hope and healing are here. The Jamie Daniels Foundation is pleased to announce it has made a $500,000, multi-year financial commitment to the Adolescent Addiction Recovery Center (AARC) – a new, outpatient-based clinic focused solely on adolescents struggling with substance abuse and mental health challenges.
With these funds, AARC can meet the growing need for youth and their families struggling with substance use disorder (SUD). The gift includes significant contribution from Delta Dental.
“We are honored to be a founding donor of AARC as it aligns perfectly with our overall mission to support children and their families who are battling substance use disorder” said Ken Daniels, co-founder of the Jamie Daniels Foundation.
Research shows that 90% of people meeting criteria for substance use disorder started using in adolescence. What’s more – treatment services for youth are sparse and often do not provide comprehensive, up-to-date care. As a result, the current system leaves patients and families with nowhere to turn for the appropriate lifesaving and life-improving treatment.
But the good news is that this problem now has a solution –an essential resource for those in Southeast Michigan. AARC, located at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Troy, is now accepting patients, including those without insurance and regardless of ability to pay.
Dr. Matt LaCasse, a general psychiatrist who specializes in both child and adolescent psychiatry, as well as addiction psychiatry, serves as the clinic director. He is one of a limited number of experts in the United States who holds this unique set of qualifications.
“Addiction is much more than the drug itself and the impact it has on the child, it also affects the entire family,” said LaCasse. “The Adolescent Addiction Recovery Center will help fill a local resource gap for youth in need.”
Dr. LaCasse and his staff provide comprehensive, out-patient therapy-focused substance use disorder treatment programs for those under the age of 18. Services for out-patient detox, long-term treatment for SUD’s, and treatment for co-morbid psychiatric disorders are available, with specialization in treating severe cases of dangerous substance use including opioids, marijuana, cocaine, alcohol, nicotine, and benzodiazepines.
“We don’t want any family to experience the tragic loss of their child like our family has,” said Lisa Daniels Goldman, co-founder of the Jamie Daniels Foundation. “Our long-term financial commitment to AARC allows us to powerfully address that goal.”
AARC is operated by University Pediatricians and philanthropically funded by The Children’s Foundation, which is where the Jamie Daniels Foundation fund is held.
If you would like to join the Jamie Daniels Foundation in its effort to support AARC please contact Executive Director, Chris Perry, at cperry@yourchildrensfoundation.org.
Click here to learn more about the Adolescent Addiction Recovery Center or to schedule an appointment.
