It can be a lot of work opening a substance abuse treatment program. Here are some of the general steps to follow:
- Develop a business plan: A business plan will help you organize your thoughts, set goals, and create a plan for funding your treatment center. It should include your mission statement, goals, target population, marketing plan, financial projections, and staffing plan.
- Secure funding: You will need to secure funding to cover the costs of starting and running your treatment center. This may involve seeking investors, applying for grants, or securing a loan. In addition, it will be important to have a comprehensive financial model, or pro forma, built out ahead of securing funding.
- Obtain necessary licenses and permits: You will need to obtain the necessary licenses and permits to operate your treatment center legally. This will vary by state and may include state and local business licenses, a DEA license, and accreditation.
- Accreditation: You will want to look into getting your facility nationally accredited through a program such as CARF or The Joint Commission. Also, some commercial insurance payers require national accreditation and some states require it for licensing, as well.
- Hire staff: You will need to hire staff to run your treatment center. This may include addiction counselors, therapists, medical professionals, administrative staff, and support staff.
- Establish policies and procedures: You will need to develop policies and procedures for your treatment center to ensure that it operates safely and effectively. This may include guidelines for admission, discharge, medication management, and client confidentiality.
- Set up your facility: You will need to set up your treatment center. This includes leasing or purchasing a facility, purchasing equipment and supplies, and setting up your treatment rooms.
- Market your treatment center: You will need to market your treatment center to attract clients. This may involve advertising, attending conferences, and networking with other professionals in the field.
- Develop partnerships: You may want to develop partnerships with other organizations to help support your treatment center. This could include local hospitals, mental health clinics, and community-based organizations.
While these are the general steps to opening a substance abuse treatment program, it is important to note that this can be a complex process. You may want to seek the guidance of legal, financial, and healthcare professionals to help you navigate the process successfully. Every state also has their own guidelines and regulations when it comes to opening a SUD treatment program.
Revive BHS can support you during the entire process of getting your program up and running. Reach out to us today to set up an initial free consultation!