SEARCY, Ark. — Unity Health announced its new Adolescent Recovery & Wellness program, a residential treatment initiative for youth experiencing substance use disorders, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony and facility tours on Thursday, July 30. The program, targeting adolescents aged 12–17, will officially open in August 2026 at Unity Health – Specialty Care, located at 1200 South Main Street in Searcy.
“Today is about hope. Hope for our kids,” LaDonna Johnston, President and CEO of Unity Health, said at the event. “This unit provides hope for children and their families, and safe, quality care for a vulnerable group that needs our help. This is the first unit in Arkansas for substance abuse that accepts Medicaid payment. We are making history today.”
The program seeks to address a critical gap in youth care by providing structured, 24-hour residential treatment for adolescents dealing with substance use disorders, with or without co-occurring mental health challenges. The facility will house 24 secure beds, with separate accommodations for male and female patients, and an anticipated treatment duration of four to six weeks.
The program employs a trauma-informed, evidence-based approach to treatment. Services will include individual, group, and family therapy, as well as psychiatric evaluations, medication management, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), relapse prevention strategies, and 12-Step recovery support. Educational support from licensed special education teachers will be included, and family involvement will be key to recovery plans. Discharge planning will begin from the point of admission, with 24-hour supervision provided by Registered Nurses.
Referrals for admission will be accepted from families, healthcare providers, schools, community agencies, and other professionals. The program will assess clinical necessity for admission and consider both voluntary cases and court-involved referrals. A wide range of insurance plans will be accepted, including coverage through Arkansas Medicaid and PASSE programs.
As the first facility of its kind in Arkansas to accept Medicaid for adolescent substance use treatment, the program aims to ensure that families needing assistance can access services close to home. Unity Health describes its overarching mission as improving the quality of health and well-being for its communities. The healthcare system operates four hospitals and 28 clinics throughout the region, with specialties spanning 15 practice areas and a workforce of more than 2,300 associates.
The Adolescent Recovery & Wellness program will offer a new path to recovery for Arkansas youth and their families, providing much-needed resources to address a growing concern in the state.