Sand Lake Residents Split on Providence's Plans for Neighborhood Treatment Facility

April 26, 2012|By Christine Kim | Channel 2 News

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A controversial residential treatment program for teenage girls is in the works.

Thursday night, Providence Hospital held an open house meeting to inform Sand Lake residents about the program that hopes to house vulnerable girls in their neighborhood.

A spokesperson asked Channel 2 not to disclose its exact location to protect the girls who may be calling it home in the future.

Providence hopes the 8 bedroom home will become a treatment center for 10 girls who are 12-to-18 years old, and who who suffer from depression and are at risk of harming themselves, and not others. The Clinical Director said that this program is going on its 13^th year in a house in East Anchorage. She told Channel 2, Providence bought the Sand Lake home because it had more space.

“The girls are monitored 24 hours a day. The staff is heavily involved in their treatment and the care that they receive involves family members as well,” said Clinical Director Renee Rafferty. “These girls are here voluntarily and these are Anchorage families, Alaskan families who need support and help with dealing with issues in their family systems.”

Providence assures people that the girls are screened and are not violent towards others. It's a program, some said, that'll provide a safe haven for teens.

“This will give an opportunity for the kids to be kids again,” said neighbor Chuck Karjala.

But some neighbors living across the street say although the program is needed, they don't want it near their home. Some concerns residents expressed include property values and the impact it will bring to the area.

A Providence spokesperson said it still needs a conditional use permit from the city, and if everything goes as planned, girls can move in to the new location in 2013.

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