Advocacy group launches online directory

Addiction Policy Forum (APF) has launched a new consumer portal that includes a directory of treatment centers. The Addiction Resource Center database lists for-profit and not-for-profit centers as well as centers that accept Medicaid, self-pay or commercial insurance.

Chelsea Laliberte, vice president of patient and family services, tells Behavioral Healthcare Executive that the online database of treatment centers has been compiled from a number of national sources, including APF’s own experience in connecting with providers. The vetting process included direct phone calls to centers and recommendations from professionals in the field.

 “We are currently in the process of continuing to develop that database and making sure that it’s updated,” she says. “And we are physically calling centers ourselves to make sure we ask the right questions to get the right information.”

There is still more refinement yet to come, but Laliberte says treatment centers can reach out proactively with updates as they occur. Any changes to the directory can be sent through a contact message from the APF site, she says.

Laliberte also emphasizes the fact that treatment centers do not fund the portal and cannot pay for enhanced listings or referrals.

“We have received phone calls from treatment providers interested in what we’re doing,” she says.

Patients and families can search for treatment by county, and a filtering feature can help pare down the results by payment type and service needs. Laliberte says the goal was to make the site as user friendly as possible and to help families overcome some of the frustration that is so prevalent in trying to find treatment options. Peer recovery support advocates, social workers and addictions counselors are also available to offer information about local treatment through the resource center hotline.