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Hopebridge expands autism treatment to two more states

At this Hopebridge center in Macon, GA, you see a therapist working one-on-one with a child. (photo courtesy: Hopebridge.com.)

INDIANAPOLIS (Inside INdiana Business) — Hopebridge LLC is expanding its autism therapy services to two additional states. The company says it plans to open a total of up to 22 locations in Colorado and Minnesota in the next 12 to 18 months, which could create about 1,200 jobs between the two states.

Hopebridge uses a business model that provides one-on-one therapy treatment for children touched by Autism Spectrum Disorder.

“Ensuring children with autism have the best chance at the life they deserve is the driving force behind everything we do,” said Hopebridge Chief Executive Officer Dennis May.

The company says it will open ten centers in Minnesota, with its first facility to be located in the greater Twin Cities area. Its opening is scheduled for March 23. Hopebridge plans to eventually create more than 550 jobs in Minnesota.

The company is also expanding west. It announced last week that it plans to open 12 locations in Colorado and create more than 650 jobs in the state. The first center is located in the Denver area.

It will start seeing patients in April.

Hopebridge says the average age of children in Colorado getting diagnosed with autism is five years old, which is one year older than the national average. The company says it intends to reduce evaluation wait times.

“Early identification is key, which is why we aim to reduce wait times for both diagnostic evaluations and ABA therapy,” said Vice President of Business Development Chris Sutton. “This will help the child receive life-changing therapy faster.”