Business Briefs: Spectrum Health Systems, Acadia, Spero Health, Caravel, Uwill

Spectrum Health Systems, a not-for-profit provider of substance use disorder treatment, announced that it has been awarded a contract with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to provide rapid-access treatment at its new outpatient center in Framingham, Massachusetts.

The program will offer on-demand medication for addiction treatment through a hub-and-spoke model of care. The Framingham facility will serve as an intake hub, with immediate access to buprenorphine, naltrexone, and mental health and recovery support navigator services for patients with SUD. Once stabilized, patients will transition to a community provider, Edward M. Kennedy Health Center, or one of Spectrum’s outpatient centers for treatment closer to home.

The Framingham program is slated to open Jan. 4, 2022, and will accept same-day admissions, with walk-in access available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Acadia Partners with SCL Health on Colorado BH Hospital

Acadia Healthcare has formed a joint venture with Colorado-based SCL Health to build a freestanding, 144-bed behavioral health hospital in the Denver area. The facility will offer inpatient and outpatient services, and is slated to open in mid-2023.

The deal represents Acadia’s entry into Colorado and is the organization’s 15th partnership with a health system. As of September, Acadia operates a network of 230 facilities with a total capacity of 10,200 beds in 40 states and Puerto Rico.

Founded in 1864, SCL is a not-for-profit healthcare organization with 8 hospitals, more than 180 physician clinics, and home health, hospice, mental health, and safety net services in Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming.

Spero Health Opens Clinic in Virginia

Spero Health this week is opening an addiction treatment clinic in Dublin, Virginia. The new program joins Spero’s network of 65 locations across Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Indiana, and Virginia. The new Dublin clinic accepts Virginia Medicaid and most commercial insurance plans.

Spero programs offer a community-based approach to treatment with an integrated care model that combines physical and behavioral healthcare services. Patients have weekly access to a physician or nurse practitioner, counseling, and recovery support services.

Caravel Opens New Autism Therapy Center in Wisconsin

Applied behavior analysis therapy provider Caravel Autism Health has opened a new clinic in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The new program is focused on early intervention for young children, with evaluation, diagnosis, therapy, and family support services.

The center will be led by clinic director Abby Amacher, MA, BCBA, LBA, who has worked with children with autism since 2008.

Student-Focused Uwill Platform Completes Investing Round

Uwill, a mental health and wellness solution for colleges and students, announced it has completed a $5.25 million angel funding round. The company said in a news release that despite interest from more than 100 venture capital and private equity firms, it completed its fundraising with its founding team of angel investors and employees.

Serving more than 600,000 students, Uwill is a student-to-therapy matching platform that facilitates access to licensed counselors based on student needs and preferences.