(Photo caption: (from left to right) Theresa Koki, Rep. Nadine Nakamura, Council Chair Arryl Kaneshiro, Amy Isobe, Former Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, Annette Baptiste, and Jade Waialeale-Battad.)
By Staff Reports
(Kauai)– Over 100 people attended the grand opening of the Adolescent Treatment and Healing Center (ATHC) on Thursday. Hope Treatment Services will manage operations for the center.
“We wouldn’t be here today with this facility if we didn’t have the vision from Mayors Baptiste and Carvalho, the support of our state legislature, our County Council, and all our partners and stakeholders who supported this center over the years,” said Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami. “When these kids walk through and onto this property, which I consider hallowed grounds, I want them to know how many people fought to save their lives. I think that brings meaningfulness to the struggle these kids and their families are going through.”
The facility is slated to begin operations by the end of the year.
Located on a 5.8-acre parcel donated by Grove Farm, the center has the capacity to provide a comprehensive, collaborative, community-based, clinically-sound, and family-centered infrastructure for delivery of mental health and substance-abuse related supportive services to adolescents and their families.
The center includes an eight-bedroom residential structure with two beds per bedroom with additional open space for recreational and agricultural healing activities; and a building dedicated for community and/or professional treatment support services with attached classrooms. A resource and support room for families, and an additional space for continued education and training.
The state and the County of Kaua‘i funded the project’s construction and site improvements.
For more information, you may contact Theresa Koki at 241-4925 or tkoki@kauai.gov.