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Pioneer Human Services acquires Phoenix Recovery Services

Skagit Valley Herald
Mar 15, 2019

March 15-- Mar. 15--MOUNT VERNON -- Pioneer Human Services, a major provider of mental health and substance use disorder treatment services in Skagit County, has acquired Phoenix Recovery Services in Mount Vernon.

In Skagit County, Pioneer Human Services operates two inpatient facilities, a jail program and a transition house. Adding Phoenix Recovery Services brings more outpatient services to the nonprofit.

"It's the lowest level of care that someone can be in ... they typically come in on a monthly basis," Pioneer Human Services Director of Outpatient Services Roni Siebels said. "It just kind of completes the portfolio of services in Skagit County."

As an outpatient clinic, treatment at Phoenix is largely voluntary.

Siebels and Public Affairs Manager Nanette Sorich said the name and operations at Phoenix will remain the same for now, with the possibility of services being expanded in the future.

A Pioneer Human Services news release about the acquisition, which became official Monday, states the services offered at Phoenix are a vital component to addressing the opioid crisis in the region.

"What we're hoping through Phoenix Recovery Services is that by continuing to provide those services they (patients) need, they can overcome barriers to opioid recovery ... with intensive therapy and outpatient groups," Siebels said.

Sorich and Siebels said the acquisition came about after Corky Hundahl, who started Phoenix Recovery Services in 2002, approached Pioneer Human Services with the idea of selling to the nonprofit when she retired.

"Phoenix and Pioneer support representing behavioral health in the community as a treatable and manageable condition that an individual can recover from and live a healthy life," Hundahl said in the release.

Pioneer Human Services has experience with outpatient operations, having similar clinics in Tacoma, Seattle and Spokane.

"We are very excited to be able to offer this service in the North Sound community," Sorich said.

Hundahl said in the news release that she is also excited about the transition.

"It is gratifying to have found another agency with a responsive approach to an individual's counseling and treatment need," she said.

Phoenix Recovery Services also offers a mobile syringe exchange program that serves to reduce the presence of used needles in public spaces, and connects those facing substance use disorders with counseling and resources.

Within the next few years, Pioneer Human Services anticipates additional moves in Skagit County.

Its largest operation in the county, Pioneer Center North, needs to relocate in order to make way for development at the Sedro-Woolley Innovation for Tomorrow (SWIFT) Center.

"We are working closely with Skagit County and other stakeholders to move many of the services located in Sedro-Woolley to other areas before the lease ends in June 2021," Siebels said.

Sorich said the organization anticipates opening several 16- or 25-bed facilities to replace the 141-bed facility at Pioneer Center North.

-- Reporter Kimberly Cauvel: 360-416-2199, kcauvel@skagitpublishing.com, Twitter: @Kimberly_SVH, Facebook.com/bykimberlycauvel

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(c)2019 the Skagit Valley Herald (Mount Vernon, Wash.)

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