Betty Ford Center, Hazeldon Foundation pursuing alliance
The Betty Ford Center and Hazelden Foundation arepursuing an alliance, the Rancho Mirage-based center confirmed today.
The Ford Center and the Minnesota-based foundation both offer drug andalcohol treatment programs, and their boards have approved “the concept of aformal alliance,” according to a statement released by the Ford Center.
Both use Alcoholics Anonymous’s 12 Steps as a basis for treatment.
“Before Betty Ford Center opened its doors in October 1982, we lookedto Hazelden,” Ford Center board Chairwoman Mary Pattiz said. “Our co-founders, first lady Betty Ford and Ambassador Leonard Firestone, studiedwhat’s still referred to as `the Hazelden model.’ It was and is ourinspiration, and for more than 30 years we’ve worked side by side asphilosophical partners in providing quality care to alcoholics, addicts andtheir families.”
Hazelden board Chairwoman Susan Fox Gillis said the full implementationof the Affordable Care Act in 2014 is one of the main reasons for theaffiliation discussions.
“The good news is that many more Americans who desperately need helpwill be eligible to receive quality treatment for their addiction to alcohol orother drugs,” she said. “The challenge will be to pay for that expandedcoverage and service.
“At this stage it appears that institutionally, only the strong willsurvive and thrive. Both Betty Ford and Hazelden are recognized as industryleaders, but the fact is we’d be even stronger if we collaborated on a formalbasis.”
She said some of the main priorities in the discussions will be honoringthe legacy of the center’s namesake and including the Ford family.
The Betty Ford Center was founded in 1982 and has served 100,000 people,according to its website. Hazelden was founded in 1949 and has facilities inMinnesota, Oregon, Illinois, New York and Florida.
