Antelope Recovery, offering SUD care for teens, to expand Spanish services in Colorado

Antelope Recovery, a behavioral health provider specializing in treating teens with substance use disorders, intends to broaden its Spanish services across Colorado using opioid settlement funds. The company, established in 2022, offers outpatient and intensive outpatient treatment for mental health and substance use issues, with a specific emphasis on supporting juvenile offenders.

The grant will also fund new programming addressing the unique challenges faced by these youth, such as gang dynamics, criminogenic risk, and recidivism reduction. Shelby Robbins, co-founder and CEO, was driven to establish Antelope after observing the scarcity of residential treatment options for children requiring 24/7 care who couldn't remain at home but didn't belong in a hospital.

The demand for such programs dwindled significantly, leading to the closure of a local residential center during the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting in numerous cases of kids missing or requiring hospitalization due to a lack of alternatives. Antelope's launch aimed initially to assist higher acuity teams, initially offering virtual care options.

However, the justice system became the primary source of care for many of these adolescents, as juvenile centers and probation officers stepped in to fill the gap left by the weakened healthcare system. The organization's founders soon recognized that these youths typically first encountered mental health issues through the justice continuum.

Consequently, Antelope shifted its focus to serve justice-involved youth. With a 12-week program involving up to 12 hours per week, Antelope begins by assessing for trauma using the ARC model, commonly affecting the adolescent population. Post-treatment, the goal is to reintegrate these youth into work and school. Given the limited availability of long-term community services, Antelope plans to expand its services to the Four Corners region of New Mexico within six months, collaborating with a regional hospital partner.

Currently, Medicaid is the primary funding source for Antelope's Colorado operations, while other funding comes from the justice system, commercial payers, or safety net entities. Robbins notes that Colorado's complex funding landscape often creates tensions among stakeholders.