Ascension Recovery Services
Behavioral health consulting for addiction recovery
Care Coordinator
About the job
- A high school diploma or equivalent.
- Experience in behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, healthcare coordination, case management, or a related field.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Comfort working in electronic medical records and clinical documentation systems.
- Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in fast-paced settings.
- Ability to assist clients with physical tasks and respond to emergencies.
- Ability to maintain professionalism with clients experiencing withdrawal, emotional distress, or crisis.
- Ability to sustain focus for documentation and monitoring responsibilities.
- Support intake workflows by coordinating assessments, documentation, and internal handoffs.
- Partner with Admissions, Nursing, and Clinical teams to ensure timely and accurate intake processes.
- Ensure required consents, screenings, and documentation are completed in accordance with policy and regulatory standards.
- Serve as a welcoming, trauma-informed point of contact for patients during the admission process.
- Coordinate discharge planning in collaboration with clinical and medical teams.
- Arrange aftercare services, referrals, appointments, and follow-up care.
- Facilitate warm handoffs to outpatient providers, residential programs, or community resources.
- Support patients and families, as appropriate, in understanding next steps and ongoing care plans.
- Serve as a coordination point for assigned patients throughout their stay.
- Monitor engagement, attendance, and care milestones, and escalate concerns as appropriate.
- Participate in treatment team meetings and contribute to continuity-of-care discussions.
- Collaborate with Utilization Review to support authorizations and continued-stay needs.
- Complete and maintain accurate, timely documentation in the electronic medical record.
- Adhere to HIPAA, confidentiality, and all state, federal, and accreditation requirements.
- Follow organizational policies, workflows, and professional standards.
- Support a trauma-informed, person-centered, recovery-oriented environment.
- Perform frequent standing, walking, bending, and lifting of up to 50 pounds with assistance.
- An Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, psychology, or a related field.
- Experience in residential or inpatient substance use disorder treatment settings.
- Familiarity with intake, discharge planning, or care coordination workflows.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed care and recovery-oriented systems of care.
About the company
Ascension Recovery Services provides consulting and program development for substance use disorder treatment, offering ongoing support to ensure sustainable, high-quality care. Its services help healthcare providers, treatment centers, and individuals by delivering end-to-end solutions that span the whole recovery process—from initial intervention to relapse prevention. The company works by implementing and supporting comprehensive programs and sustainable business models, ensuring care is financially viable while maintaining quality. What sets Ascension Recovery Services apart is its integrative, end-to-end approach across the entire continuum of care, helping clients streamline the recovery journey and maintain continuity of services. The overarching goal is to enable effective addiction recovery by building durable, scalable programs and improving outcomes for patients and providers alike.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Morgantown, West Virginia
Founded
2013
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- June through September 2026 brought multiple openings and ownership transitions, proving active demand.
- The Pine Ridge tribal campus framework targets a $45 million project with durable community need.
- RCap-backed expansion and management contracts create recurring fees beyond one-time consulting work.
What critics are saying
- Transcendence Treatment Center litigation exposed Medicaid denial assumptions and 2023 facility failure.
- Six new openings in 2026 increase execution risk if staffing, census, or payer ramp lags.
- If projects stall or reimbursement weakens, Ascension's consulting-led growth model loses credibility quickly.
What makes Ascension Recovery Services unique
- First SUD-MSO model bundles capital planning, licensure, staffing, and long-term management.
- By September 2026, Ascension claimed 80 organizations across 35 states and every care level.
- Deep tribal and health-system partnerships, including ECHAGA, Columbus Regional Health, and Renewal Falls.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Paid Vacation
Paid Holidays
401(k) Retirement Plan
Employee Referral Bonus
Professional Development Budget
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 13%1 year growth
↑ 13%2 year growth
↑ 13%'It's very, very complex': navigating the maze of addiction treatment de novo expansion. September 23, 2026 / Ascension Recovery Services Behavioral Health Business Tony Kilgore, CEO of Behavioral Health Group, (left) and Doug Leech, CEO of Ascension Recovery Services, (right) speaking at the SUD Business Summit. Addiction treatment providers cannot assume everything will go according to plan when opening a de novo location. Industry insiders say leaders of new-growth projects cannot assume state policies align or, even if followed closely, will lead to a location opening. Beyond navigating processes, leaders at growing organizations will likely have to build and lean on relationships with the people involved in the process to help them find a way around problems. "It's very, very complex; it's not very transparent," Doug Leech, CEO of Ascension Recovery Services, said during a panel chat at the 2026 SUD Business Summit. "I think states can do a much better job of laying that out if they truly do want good operators to come... We've been doing this work and opening up programs in 35 states. There's many states where the process, if you follow it to the "t", will not work... Those dollars that get burned during that time are going to affect patient care. That's a real problem." Ascension Recovery Services operates nine programs across its 35 states. The company partners with investors, government entities, nonprofits and healthcare providers to develop and run addiction treatment locations. The key to making relationship building work is time. So, it's vital to reach the key decisionmakers and functionaries as soon as a project is conceptualized, Leech said. This is critical for the success of the project generally. But it can have an added benefit. Often, state-level decision makers and the payers - both private and public - of an expansion state will be much more knowledgeable about opportunities, needs, challenges and potential roadblocks than newcomers. They will likely be eager to have their strategic needs met by collaborative providers. But that is an added time burden on a project. And it's one that may not be worth it to some providers. That is the case of Tony Kilgore, CEO of Behavioral Health Group, an opioid treatment provider (OTP) and office-based opioid treatment provider (OBOT) provider that operates in 20 states and Washington D.C. It lists 112 locations on its website. "For us, if we don't know the state, it's not somewhere that we operate today; that's already going to cause us to pause," Kilgore said. "From there, if we can't identify a consultant or an advocate or reason to believe that we've got an opportunity to understand the process and run things in parallel... we'll back off of that state." Behavioral Health Business Abigail Stoll, owner and founder of Restaura Behavioral Health, (center-right) answering a question during a panel chat at the SUD Business Summit. The complicated weave between interplay between state licensure and payer contracting makes staying in extant markets "hugely beneficial" in developing de novo locations, Kilgore added. At times, payers can extend contracts to similar facilities, avoiding the need to spin up completely new ones. But when the company expands into new markets, it leans hard into establishing special relationships with the payers well in advance of going into an expansion. Those relationships can help refine which specific locations and service offerings are most enticing to the payer. These kinds of partnerships with payers also help with underwriting conversations with investors and lenders. In some cases, these arrangements and local data can help demonstrate the viability of a new operation for investors. Over the last 10 years or so, lenders have gotten a lot more savvy about financing de novo expansions. Back then, they assessed the building's value. Now it's more common for lenders to assess the building's operator before handing over capital. This often requires growing companies to build deep knowledge about the marketplace and have relationships in place before going to a lender. It also helps to prove concepts with existing facilities in similar markets. It's inevitable that opening a de novo addiction treatment facility will go off the rails. Abigail Stoll, owner and founder of Restaura Behavioral Health, said that it is key to prepare for likely roadblocks and ensure that realistic expectations are set for lenders and investors going into a project. To some degree, investors have expectations of snags and stalls. But it is key to explain and factor in unexpected challenges as they arise. "Why did the project stall? Is it regulatory? Is it staffing shortages? Is it investment? Then, what's going to be the expanded project timeline now?" Stoll said this reflects the challenges of understanding and communicating about opening facilities. "Investors need to understand that the industry is being squeezed." Leech also said that it is always advisable to have more capital than you think you need. On top of being a buffer for unexpected challenges, it also prevents potentially painful cuts in a project that burn bridges within a project and the wider community. It's also a much harder task to fund again a project that was mispriced. "Once you build your model and you have all of your startup costs analyzed down to the penny, add 50% and get that much capital and start your program," Leech said.
Ascension Recovery Services announces opening of Renewal Falls behavioral health treatment center. Ascension RS served as development partner and will provide ongoing management support for the new Cedar Falls facility Opening a treatment center requires aligning the clinical model, staffing, operations, regulatory requirements and financial realities needed to build a sustainable program." - Doug Leech ORLANDO, FL, UNITED STATES, September 10, 2026 / EINPresswire.com / - Ascension Recovery Services (Ascension RS), the leading national behavioral health consulting, development and management company, today announced the opening of Renewal Falls, a new addiction treatment and behavioral health facility in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Ascension RS served as a development partner for the facility, working with Renewal Falls and ThriveNow Recovery Centers to help bring the center from concept to operation. Ascension RS will remain involved as part of the ongoing management team supporting the facility. Located at 4900 Prairie Parkway, Renewal Falls provides medical detoxification, residential treatment, medication-assisted treatment when appropriate, and care for co-occurring mental health conditions. "Opening a treatment center requires aligning the clinical model, staffing, operations, regulatory requirements and financial realities needed to build a sustainable program," said Doug Leech, chief executive officer of Ascension Recovery Services. "We are proud to have helped bring Renewal Falls to life and to continue supporting the organization as it serves patients and families across Iowa." Ascension RS partners with healthcare organizations, communities, investors and other organizations to develop and operate behavioral health treatment programs. Its capabilities include feasibility analysis, clinical and operational planning, facility development, licensing support, staffing and ongoing management. Renewal Falls is part of the ThriveNow Recovery Centers network, expanding access to behavioral healthcare across Iowa. "Renewal Falls represents an important investment in behavioral healthcare for Cedar Falls and the surrounding region," said Brock Milligan, Sr. development and community relations specialist at ThriveNow Recovery Centers. "Our goal is to create a place where individuals can access the care and support they need to build a lasting foundation for recovery." Renewal Falls will celebrate its grand opening Thursday, September 10, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 4900 Prairie Parkway in Cedar Falls. About Ascension Recovery Services Ascension Recovery Services (Ascension RS) is a national leader in behavioral health program development and management, partnering investors, hospitals, health systems, government entities, non-profit treatment organizations and tribal lands to accelerate the creation and operation of high-impact substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health treatment programs. As the nation's first Substance Use Disorder Management Services Organization (SUD-MSO), ARS integrates capital planning, facility design, licensure and accreditation, staffing, payer contracting, marketing, and long-term management into a single, scalable model. With more than a decade of experience and projects spanning 80 organizations across 35 states, Ascension RS supports every level of care - including Residential Treatment Centers, Intensive Outpatient Programs, Partial Hospitalization Programs, Sober Living Homes, and hospital-based treatment lines - delivering measurable clinical and financial results for its partners. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida Ascension RS combines financial expertise, clinical excellence, and compassionate leadership to expand access to sustainable recovery nationwide. For more information, visit www.ascensionrs.com. About Renewal Falls Renewal Falls is a behavioral health treatment center in Cedar Falls, Iowa, providing treatment for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions, including medical detoxification, residential treatment and medication-assisted treatment when appropriate. Amanda Cecconi Ascension Recovery Services +1 615-473-7536 email Healthcare Industry Today here Visit Healthcare Industry Today on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. Healthcare Industry Today do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Ascension Recovery Services develops New tribal lands initiative through partnership with ECHAGA Corporation. August 06, 2026, 14:19 GMT National Tribal lands partnership advances plans for a 48-bed adolescent behavioral health and residential treatment facility serving Oglala Lakota youth We are grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside ECHAGA and the Oglala Sioux Tribe during this important first phase." - Douglas M. Leech PINE RIDGE RESERVATION, SD, UNITED STATES, August 6, 2026 / EINPresswire.com / - Ascension Recovery Services (Ascension RS), the leading national behavioral health consulting, development and management company, announced that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding process with ECHAGA Corporation, a Section 16 economic development nonprofit corporation of the Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST), to support early-stage development planning for a proposed adolescent behavioral health and residential treatment facility on the Pine Ridge Reservation. The partnership marks Ascension Recovery Services' continued commitment to helping Tribal Nations develop sustainable, culturally responsive behavioral health infrastructure in their own communities. ECHAGA is advancing plans for a transformative behavioral health and rehabilitation campus designed to address critical gaps in youth mental health and substance use disorder treatment for the Oglala Lakota Nation. The proposed project includes an approximately 48-bed, 44,051-square-foot adolescent behavioral health and residential treatment facility with an estimated total project cost of approximately $45 million. The proposed facility is intended to expand access to culturally grounded behavioral health services for tribal youth, incorporating Oglala Lakota traditions, ceremonies and customs as part of healing. It would also reduce the need for off-reservation treatment placements, strengthen access to residential treatment and psychiatric services, create quality jobs and workforce development opportunities on the Reservation, and establish a financially sustainable healthcare enterprise benefiting the Oglala Sioux Tribe and surrounding communities. "Tribal communities should not have to send young people far from home, family, culture and community to receive the behavioral health care they need," said Douglas M. Leech, founder and chief executive officer, Ascension Recovery Services. "This MOU with ECHAGA represents the beginning of a thoughtful development process rooted in partnership, feasibility and long-term sustainability. Our role is to bring the operational, financial, regulatory and development expertise needed to help turn an important vision into a viable path forward while honoring the leadership and priorities of the Oglala Lakota Nation." Ascension partnered with Tribal leadership, the Chairman of ECHAGA, Bat Pourier, and ECHAGA's CEO Gary Ruse in developing the MOU and the project's framework. Through the initial phase of work, Ascension will support ECHAGA with feasibility and market analysis, preliminary startup budgeting and operational pro forma development, capital stack and financing strategy, and preliminary licensing and regulatory evaluation. The process is intended to help determine the clinical, financial and operational viability of the proposed facility while the parties evaluate future long-term development and management agreements. Ascension RS's work may include analysis of market demand, regional behavioral health gaps, referral sources, payer environment, reimbursement structures, Medicaid, commercial insurance, Indian Health Service and tribal reimbursement considerations, staffing models, census ramp projections, debt service coverage, funding pathways, New Markets Tax Credits, USDA and BIA loan guarantee opportunities, philanthropic funding and applicable South Dakota licensing and accreditation requirements. "For too long, families across the Pine Ridge Reservation have watched young people struggle with substance use and mental health needs without an appropriate treatment option close to home," said James Cross, OST Councilman and chairman of the OST Economic and Business Development Committee. "ECHAGA has spent more than two and a half years advancing this vision and carefully evaluating the right partner. Ascension Recovery Services brings experience working with Native American Tribes, but just as important, this facility can be shaped around our own traditions, ceremonies and customs. I am optimistic that this combined effort by ECHAGA and the Oglala Sioux Tribe will change the lives of our youth for decades to come." Ascension RS provides comprehensive behavioral health development and management support nationally, including feasibility studies, business planning, financial modeling, capital stack development, licensing and accreditation preparation, clinical programming, staffing model development, payer contracting, operational management, regulatory compliance, revenue cycle oversight, quality assurance and long-term strategic growth. "This is the kind of work that requires more than a business plan," shared Leech. "It requires trust, cultural humility, operational discipline and a shared commitment to building something that can serve youth and families for generations. We are grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside ECHAGA and the Oglala Sioux Tribe during this important first phase." About Ascension Recovery Services Ascension Recovery Services is a national behavioral health consulting, development and management company specializing in the development, capitalization, licensing, accreditation, launch and operation of behavioral health treatment centers across the United States. Ascension supports organizations and communities in building clinically strong, financially sustainable treatment programs that expand access to care and improve long-term recovery outcomes. For more information, please visit www.ascensionrs.com. About ECHAGA Corporation ECHAGA Corporation is a Section 16 economic development nonprofit corporation of the Oglala Sioux Tribe organized under applicable tribal law. ECHAGA pursues economic development and healthcare initiatives for the benefit of the Oglala Lakota community, including projects designed to strengthen infrastructure, expand opportunity and improve access to essential services on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Amanda Cecconi Ascension Recovery Services +1 615-473-7536 email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above. You just read: August 06, 2026, 14:19 GMT EIN Presswire's priority is author transparency. We do our best to weed out false and misleading content. The content above is the sole responsibility of the author who makes it available. If you have any complaints, kindly contact the author above. Amanda Cecconi Ascension Recovery Services +1 615-473-7536
Ascension Recovery Services CEO Doug Leech to address delayed SUD development at SUD Business Summit. July 15, 2026 / Doug M. Leech, CEO Panel will examine financial, regulatory, operational and workforce barriers that cause addiction treatment projects to stall Orlando, Fla. - July 16, 2026 - Doug Leech, founder and CEO of Ascension Recovery Services, will join a panel of behavioral health executives at the SUD Business Summit on Thursday, July 16, to discuss why new substance use disorder treatment facilities and expansion projects frequently experience costly delays. The session, "Development Download: Why SUD De Novos, Expansion Projects Stall," will take place from 11:30 a.m. to noon and feature Leech alongside Abigail Stoll, owner and founder of Restaura Behavioral Health, and Anthony Kilgore, chief executive officer of BHG Recovery. As demand for addiction treatment services continues to grow, the panel will examine the operational, regulatory, financial and workforce challenges that can prevent well-funded projects from progressing from concept to patient care. Speakers will also discuss strategies for aligning financing, accreditation, licensing, construction and staffing timelines with the needs of the communities these facilities are intended to serve. "A funded project is not the same as a financeable one," said Leech. "Optimism helps start a project. Structure gets it open." According to Leech, selecting a site or beginning construction before fully evaluating licensing requirements, workforce availability and reimbursement conditions can create expensive problems later in the development process. Even projects with significant initial investment may struggle if their financial plans do not account for startup expenses, delayed payer revenue, pre-opening staffing costs and the operational runway required for a new program to reach stability. The panel will provide practical guidance for organizations seeking to anticipate these dependencies earlier, develop more realistic timelines and align capital deployment with regulatory and operational milestones. Leech brings both personal and professional experience to the discussion. Inspired by his own recovery journey, he founded Ascension Recovery Services to expand access to substance use disorder treatment in West Virginia and across the country. Under his leadership, Ascension Recovery Services has helped open more than 80 SUD treatment centers across 35 states and has developed and managed integrated behavioral health systems serving people with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. The SUD Business Summit brings together executives and leaders from addiction treatment and substance use disorder organizations to examine operational best practices, sustainable growth strategies and emerging market trends. Attendees have opportunities to connect with peers, learn from industry experts and gain actionable insights to strengthen their programs and expand their impact. About Ascension Recovery Services Ascension Recovery Services (ARS) is a national leader in behavioral health program development and management, partnering investors, hospitals, health systems, government entities, non-profit treatment organizations and tribal lands to accelerate the creation and operation of high-impact substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health treatment programs. As the nation's first Substance Use Disorder Management Services Organization (SUD-MSO), ARS integrates capital planning, facility design, licensure and accreditation, staffing, payer contracting, marketing, and long-term management into a single, scalable model. With more than a decade of experience and projects spanning 80 organizations across 35 states, ARS supports every level of care - including Residential Treatment Centers, Intensive Outpatient Programs, Partial Hospitalization Programs, Sober Living Homes, and hospital-based treatment lines - delivering measurable clinical and financial results for its partners. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida and backed by RCap Equity Partners, ARS combines financial expertise, clinical excellence, and compassionate leadership to expand access to sustainable recovery nationwide. For more information, visit www.ascensionrs.com.
Columbus Regional Health and Ascension Recovery Services announce ownership transition of CRH's Treatment and Support Center. June 18, 2026 / Ascension Recovery Services Columbus, Ind. - Columbus Regional Health in partnership with Ascension Recovery Services announced today the launch of an initiative to transition ownership and operations of CRH's Treatment and Support Center (TASC) to Indiana Recovery Homes. The transition will take place over the course of several months, resulting in Ascension Recovery Services (ARS) and Indiana Recovery Homes (IRH) assuming full acquisition of TASC before the end of 2026. This opportunity represents the next chapter in a longstanding partnership focused on expanding access to high-quality substance use disorder treatment and recovery services throughout the region. Patients, families, referral partners, and community stakeholders can expect uninterrupted services and continued access to the care and support. The relationship between Columbus Regional Health and ARS spans nearly a decade. In 2017, Columbus Regional Health identified a growing need for substance use disorder treatment services and engaged ARS to help develop and launch what would become TASC. Since then, the program has served as a vital resource for individuals and families seeking treatment and recovery support in south-central Indiana. "For years, our organizations have worked alongside Columbus Regional Health to strengthen recovery resources across this community. Bringing TASC into the Indiana Recovery Homes with support from Ascension Recovery Services allows us to create a truly integrated continuum of care - from outpatient treatment and medication-assisted treatment to residential care, recovery housing, and long-term recovery support," shared Brandon George, Managing Partner at Indiana Recovery Homes. "This is about building a stronger recovery ecosystem that serves more people, removes barriers to care, and helps individuals and families achieve lasting recovery." Through this transition, IRH and ARS will assume ownership and management of TASC, bringing the program into a broader recovery ecosystem that includes recovery housing, medical detoxification, residential treatment, outpatient services, and medication-assisted treatment. "This transition is ultimately about strengthening access to care," said Doug Leech, Chief Executive Officer of Ascension Recovery Services. "Columbus Regional Health demonstrated tremendous leadership by helping establish TASC when the community needed it most. We were honored to be part of that original vision, and we are equally honored to continue building upon it. Our focus is preserving what works, supporting patients and staff, and creating a stronger, more integrated continuum of care for the people we serve." Throughout the transition process, patient care will remain the highest priority. Transition teams from both organizations are working closely together to ensure continuity of services, maintain strong referral relationships, and support employees, patients, and community partners. "This transition reflects a shared commitment to ensuring individuals and families continue to receive the support they need," said Dr. Lee Kiser, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Columbus Regional Health. "The need for substance use disorder treatment remains significant, and we believe Indiana Recovery Homes and Ascension Recovery Services are uniquely positioned to continue this work while expanding access to recovery services across the region." Looking ahead, ARS and Indiana Recovery Homes will continue evaluating opportunities to strengthen care coordination, enhance patient access, and expand services to meet evolving community needs. About Ascension Recovery Services Ascension Recovery Services (ARS) is a national leader in behavioral health program development and management, partnering with hospitals, health systems, investors, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and Tribal Nations to develop and operate sustainable behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment programs. As the nation's first Substance Use Disorder Management Services Organization (SUD-MSO), ARS provides end-to-end support across capital planning, facility development, licensure and accreditation, staffing, payer contracting, marketing, and operational management. With projects spanning more than 80 organizations across 35 states, ARS helps partners build financially sustainable, clinically excellent behavioral health systems that expand access to care and strengthen communities nationwide. About Indiana Recovery Homes Indiana Recovery Homes provides safe, structured recovery housing and support services designed to help individuals build strong foundations for long-term recovery. Through recovery-focused programming, peer support, and community integration, Indiana Recovery Homes helps individuals transition from treatment to independent, sustainable recovery. About Columbus Regional Health Columbus Regional Health is an independent health system based in south-central Indiana and a proud member of the Cleveland Clinic Connected program. With more than 107 years of service, the organization provides comprehensive healthcare services to a 10-county region across southeastern Indiana through Columbus Regional Hospital and an extensive outpatient network of healthcare providers and services. Media Contacts: Kelsey DeClue Public Relations and Communications Columbus Regional Health 812.376.5342 Amanda Cecconi Chief Marketing Officer Ascension Recovery Services 615.473.7536 [email protected]