Mat-Su
We are excited to announce that we have hired a new clinician and counselor, resulting in a fully staffed outpatient program in the Mat-Su! This enhancement has allowed us to introduce a new curriculum to our weekly groups. We launched the “Wellness & Recovery” treatment group, which has garnered significant interest from clients. Additionally, we’ve added a new time slot for our “Relapse Prevention” group to better accommodate clients’ schedules.

Two staff members have been promoted to Counselor II positions, and one has achieved their Chemical Dependency Counselor (CDC) I certification. Our team has engaged in extensive continued learning and training, covering topics such as supporting clients recently released from incarceration, the correlation between mental health and nutrition, addressing grief and loss, treating codependency, and upcoming changes to the ASAM tool we frequently use.

We also launched a new weekly Peer-to-Peer connection opportunity, allowing clients to meet in an informal, peer-led setting. This initiative has successfully addressed an unmet need, with voluntary attendance open to current clients and alumni. These connections foster resource sharing, discussion of challenges, and the building of fellowship outside the structured treatment setting.

Our 2.5 Partial Hospitalization level of care has seen unprecedented enrollment, serving as an effective bridge for clients transitioning from residential treatment to outpatient care, as well as for those needing additional structure and support beyond the typical 2.1 Intensive Outpatient level. We opened a lounge area for clients in the 2.5 program to relax between groups. Alongside this, we hosted a Coffee & Connection event for community members to explore the lounge and other areas of our outpatient program.

The outpatient program has also collaborated with various Set Free teams, including the Reception and Recovery Residence teams, to streamline processes and enhance client experiences. Our partnership with the Haven team has led to involvement in a community overdose response team, increasing our opportunities to support individuals in active addiction and strengthen connections with community partners.

Homer
Being fully staffed has enabled us to expand our telehealth treatment group options, greatly benefiting clients in the Homer outpatient program. We are now offering four weekly telehealth groups—the highest number we’ve ever been able to provide—as well as eight hybrid groups. These hybrid sessions allow Homer clients to participate in in-person groups held in the Mat-Su outpatient program via telehealth. We’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback from clients regarding these increased telehealth opportunities.

This year marked the highest enrollment in the Homer outpatient program to date, and we are thrilled to announce that we offered services to clients in Ketchikan for the first time!
Additionally, the Homer outpatient program has moved to a new location and welcomed a new staff member, enhancing the support available to our clients and the Mat-Su outpatient clinical team.

Our mission is to provide an early intervention program addressing the behavioral health needs of children, adolescents, and caregivers by treating trauma, developing healthy coping skills, and enhancing family support and engagement. Clients can expect valued, individualized care that combines clinical therapeutic techniques with a “mind-body-spirit” approach.

We believe that early intervention services are crucial in breaking the cycle of substance misuse and alleviating mental health symptoms. Our clinicians employ trauma-informed practices and various evidence-based treatment modalities. In the past year, we introduced Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), participated in Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) training, and engaged in Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) training. Additionally, we have launched groups focused on coping skills and interpersonal relationship skills and joined the Overdose Fatality Review (OFR) team.

We continue to collaborate with community providers through outreach efforts, participating in the Drug Endangered Children (DEC) multidisciplinary team, and the OFR team. To support families in the reunification process, we partner with Family Infants and Toddlers Court (FIT) to provide Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) and other best practices.

From January to September 2024, Haven served 134 individual clients and assisted in 10 family reunifications, offering loving, wraparound care. Through our partnership with DEC, our Family Advocates provided direct services to 100 children and 89 parents/caregivers. Our clients have received support through challenging circumstances and have been equipped with the tools they need to thrive.

This past year at Valley Oaks has been truly blessed! We have provided a safe haven for nearly 45 women as they embark on their journeys to sobriety and experience love and support. Among these women, three have been joyfully reunited with their children during their time here.

Additionally, three mothers have experienced pregnancy and childbirth while sober for the first time—what a remarkable testament to God’s goodness!

At Valley Oaks, we love to celebrate! Whether it’s birthdays, sobriety milestones, or holidays, we ensure that our clients feel special on their big days. Many have shared that they never had a meaningful birthday celebration before coming to us. Our incredible kitchen coordinator prepares a special meal and cake of their choice, allowing clients to feel loved and encouraged on these occasions.

This year, we were also blessed with the opportunity to provide a safe and joyful holiday season for our clients. Many of the women come from backgrounds where holidays were not filled with joy and love. For some, the holidays spent with us have been their first experience of a healthy and loving celebration. Each year, the women are amazed by the Christmas gifts they receive, with some sharing that they have never received gifts before.

We’ve been fortunate to maintain a dedicated group of volunteers who lead Bible studies, offer free haircuts, and serve as one-on-one mentors to our residents. However, we are always in need of more volunteers to help our ladies build healthy, connected relationships within the community. If you’re interested in joining this fulfilling ministry opportunity, please reach out!

Clover, our therapy dog, has continued to bring joy, laughter, and comfort to the facility. She plays a vital role in creating a calm and safe environment for the women during challenging times.

Lives are being transformed! We have celebrated many successful graduations, with clients moving on to complete outpatient treatment, reunify with their families, and secure stable, fulfilling careers. Others have pursued their dreams by entering college or trade schools. Our graduates are now productive and valued members of the community, giving back and achieving success after success.

To God be the glory for the great things He has done!

The Compass Men’s Residential Program is making significant strides in 2024 by providing a safe and supportive environment for individuals overcoming addiction. Clients are experiencing transformative healing and growth, gaining essential tools to reclaim their lives and pursue previously unattainable dreams.

Through therapeutic programs and community engagement, participants are rediscovering their talents and skills, which fosters a renewed sense of purpose and joy. The program not only focuses on recovery but also emphasizes the importance of rebuilding family relationships and contributing to stronger communities, creating a ripple effect of positivity.

The dedicated staff and volunteers are adapting to the evolving challenges of addiction recovery with compassion and innovation. Their commitment empowers clients to embrace freedom, health, and wholeness, highlighting the profound impact a supportive, faith-driven environment can have.

Compass remains dedicated to celebrating these transformations and is committed to building a brighter, healthier future for individuals, families, and communities across Alaska.

As we look back on 2024, we are filled with gratitude and pride for the incredible growth, healing, and transformation that have occurred at Heritage House Recovery Residence. This past year has been truly inspiring, marked by countless stories of resilience and hope. One of our most significant achievements has been the reunification of families, with several parents regaining full custody of their children. This is a testament to their dedication and hard work in rebuilding their lives, showcasing the power of healing and the importance of family.

Our committed staff, many of whom are graduates of our program, continue to make a difference by working within the Set Free organization. This cycle of giving back not only strengthens our community but also offers hope and encouragement to our current residents.

This year, we focused on building community connections through meaningful activities like blueberry picking, camping trips, and sober celebrations. These experiences remind us that joy and connection are essential parts of the recovery journey.

A special highlight of 2024 was the birth of two babies on our property, symbolizing new beginnings and brighter futures ahead.

In total, we served 54 clients this year, each contributing to the vibrant fabric of our community. Every success, no matter how small, is a testament to the strength and courage required to pursue recovery. Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Your encouragement, donations, and volunteer efforts make all this possible.

The Crisis Stabilization program plays a vital role in supporting individuals facing mental or behavioral health crises by providing a welcoming environment and comprehensive assistance for successful discharge. This includes addressing urgent needs related to treatment, housing, medical care, and community resources. Moreover, the program facilitates reconnections between clients and estranged family members, often impacted by substance use or unmanaged mental health.

To enhance its impact, there is a desire to expand the program, enabling it to better serve the community and offer essential support for individuals seeking to make positive changes toward a healthier lifestyle. This expansion could help meet growing demands and provide more tailored resources to those in need.

The Crisis Stabilization Program is significantly impacting clients by providing a safe and warm environment for those transitioning from jail, being discharged from residential programs, or coming from homelessness. This supportive setting allows clients to plan their next steps toward a successful future and the program is set to move into a new facility on the same property, which will be better suited to meet clients’ needs. This transition will not only enhance the quality of care but also expand the program’s capacity to assist more individuals, furthering its mission to support those in crisis.

Throughout 2024, we successfully provided Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) and Intensive Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment (IOPSAT) programs at Palmer Correctional Center (PCC). In our RSAT program, we served 37 incarcerated individuals, achieving 13 successful graduations, while 21 individuals are currently active and projected to graduate in early 2025. In the IOPSAT program, we served 22 individuals with 20 successful graduations and a new group of 12 starting in mid-December.

Both RSAT and IOPSAT focus on facilitating successful re-entry, incorporating activities like role-playing and effective communication, which are essential for building healthy relationships and securing employment upon release. Graduates are encouraged to remain in the therapeutic community at PCC to support their peers, contributing to a marked decrease in institutional write-ups among them. The treatment emphasizes that individuals can overcome addiction, regardless of their environment.

Additionally, our Department of Corrections contracts extend services to incarcerated individuals at Mat-Su Pre Trial (MSPT), where we offer a Psycho-Educational Substance Abuse program. In 2024, we also launched Medication Assisted Treatment Re-Entry (MATR) services at both MSPT and PCC, aiding individuals in planning their re-entry into the community. These services have successfully helped many individuals reintegrate and have resulted in lower recidivism rates compared to the state average.

Our team, dedicated to providing hope and lasting change, embodies Set Free Alaska’s core values, ensuring that incarcerated individuals re-enter society with a sense of value, strength, and integrity.