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Facility for teen boys at risk to close, merge with Resource

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Big changes are coming to the sister property of a center for troubled teens. I-Team 8 reported extensively about Resource Residential Treatment Facility, a live-in facility for kids and teens with a range of psychological and behavioral issues.

Its sister property in Indianapolis, Resolute Treatment Center, is shutting its doors. Resolute is a live-in and group home facility for teen boys struggling with sexually maladaptive behaviors.

Resolute faced much of the same criticism as Resource has: issues with staff, lack of resources and escaping kids.

RELATED COVEAGE: New CEO makes changes to youth facility after I-Team 8 reports

Brady Serafin, the CEO of Resource, told I-Team 8 that Resource’s parent company, Acadia Health Care, decided to close Resolute and merge their operation with Resource. Resource is located near Fountain Square. According to Resource’s website, its main location is on the west side of Indianapolis, with three group homes in Indianapolis.

Soon, both programs will operate under the Resource umbrella and under their new CEO, Brady Serafin. Of the merger, Serafin said:

“Acadia Health Care has made the decision to consolidate operations of it’s residential treatment centers in Indianapolis. The Resource Treatment Center will absorb the Resolute program. This merger is contingent upon state approval and because of this the time frame for this consolidation is very fluid. 

“It is the hope that this consolidation is done with as little disruption to the youth we serve, their families and the staff of both facilities. As we continue to walk through this process we will provide additional information.”

This merger still needs state approval, so there is not a specific time frame for when it might happen, although two sources told I-Team 8 its set for sometime in January.

The Indiana Department of Child Services said 11 Child Services wards are currently at Resolute. Child Services said they will work with placement agencies to relocate kids to other facilities if needed. Child Services started sending kids to Acadia Health Care facilities when the department was created in 2005.

Noelle Russell, a Child Services spokeswoman, issued this statement:

“Acadia has informed the Indiana Department of Child Services of plans to consolidate some of its programming. As Acadia moves forward with this business decision, DCS will work to provide support during the licensing process and ensure placing agencies are involved to relocate children to other facilities as necessary.”

The following are amounts Child Services paid Acadia Health Care to house children at Resolute:

  • State Fiscal Year 2017: $7,158,797.89.
  • State Fiscal Year 2016: $6,527,910.26.
  • State Fiscal Year 2015: $6,449,285.32.