Our Services
A staff member helps a youth with their beading project during a cultural activity in January.

ARCH - Residential Treatment

Empowering youth to address their substance use and improve their mental health in a structured, therapeutic environment.

The Adolescent Residential Center for Help (ARCH) treatment program is for youth ages 12-18 who are diagnosed with a substance use disorder and may also present with co-occurring mental health disorders.

ARCH offers:

  • Co-occurring individual, group, and family therapy
  • Withdrawal management
  • Psychological testing and evaluation
  • Psychiatric services
  • Case management and discharge/transition planning
  • Onsite medical provider to address physical wellness
  • Nutritious meals provided at no cost to residents
  • On-site school with an Anchorage School District teacher

The ARCH team is also committed to helping youth find meaningful, skill-building activities like music, recreation, and art to replace unhealthy behaviors. Using a multidisciplinary approach, they aim to connect with youth, support them in discovering purpose, and help them thrive.

Several youth and adults posing around giant letters spelling out FAIR. The faces of the youth are covered by emoji faces.
ARCH staff and residents at the Alaska State Fair.

How to Get Started With Treatment Services

We know reaching out for help can be difficult. That’s why the team at VOA Alaska is committed to making entry into our treatment services as easy as possible for you. If you’re ready to begin, you can complete your registration packet online and our Client Care team will connect with you to schedule an appointment.

Getting Started with Services

ARCH is housed in a state-of-the-art facility in Eagle River, Alaska.

Aerial image of ARCH in the mountains, surrounded by fall foliage
Exterior view of ARCH on a sunny day, with a basketball hoop out front.
Interview photo of a residential wing with chairs, tables, doorways, and letters spelling SERENITY high up on the wall
A kitchen worker tosses a salad with tongs.
A colorful mural in a hallway.
Hand drawn artwork on a wall.
A large colorful collection of positive messages on a wall.

ARCH is in a beautiful mountain setting, with views of Denali on a clear day. The building holds two residential wings with 18 beds total, a full-service industrial kitchen, a gym with a climbing wall and basketball hoop, two classrooms, a Great Hall with large windows providing beautiful views and natural sunlight, cozy group rooms, an outdoor fire pit, and more to provide a comfortable and therapeutic home for our youth residents.

I felt like the ARCH staff was not just there for my child, they're there for me and my family as well.
I really feel like they've saved his life and my life and just the family unit as a whole.

Parent of an ARCH graduate

What to expect in your first few weeks at ARCH…

VOA Alaska understands and honors the fact that recovery looks different for everyone. Every youth arriving at ARCH has a unique story. While some may be experiencing a treatment program for the first time, others have already gone through multiple placements.

Every new resident is provided with a thorough orientation period, up to two weeks long, with more individualized attention and a lower staff to client ratio. This helps the team get to know the youth, ensure their basic needs are met needs, and prepare them for treatment. It also allows the youth time to adjust to ARCH and get comfortable in their new living space.

For those needing withdrawal management, the orientation period will additionally provide resource management, psychiatric evaluation, daily check-ins with a medical provider, and engagement with a peer support specialist.

Group photo of 10 people at a park, a few of them hold plates of food
A group of ARCH staff pose for a photo at our 2024 Summer Staff Social.

There's a war of recovery that I'll always march.
I'll fight to survive with my weapons from ARCH.

Excerpt from a poem written by an ARCH graduate

ARCH partners with the Anchorage School District to provide an on-site school.

Four adults meet at a table within a classroom, materials branded with VOA Alaska are laid out in front of them.
Representative Mary Peltola meets with CEO Julia Luey and Porgram Director Bre Baines in a classroom to learn about VOA's services and impact.

McKinley Heights is ARCH’s on-site school, managed by one Anchorage School District teacher and one teacher’s aide. Students receive individualized lessons and specialized services for learning-disabled and developmentally delayed adolescents. The school and the ARCH treatment team collaborate closely to ensure that school and treatment benefit our youth best. Residents are also supported in pursuing their GED while at ARCH.

McKinley Heights is committed to promoting and protecting students’ health, well-being, and learning ability by encouraging lifelong healthy eating and physical activity habits. The collaborative relationship ensures the transition back into public school is supportive and successful.

Read the full McKinley Heights School Wellness Policy here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average length of stay at ARCH?

The length of stay is based on each resident’s unique needs and aligns with the dimensions and severity of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). The average length of stay is 3-6 months.

Discharge Planning: Youth and families receive personalized case management and discharge planning. Referrals for continuing care in VOA’s Outpatient program and external services like therapeutic foster care, transitional housing, and family treatment ensure a smooth return to their home community.

How do I refer youth to residential treatment?

To refer a youth to ARCH, contact our Client Care team at (907) 279-9640 or email intake@voaak.org. If you are a legal guardian, you can begin your registration at on our Getting Started with Services page.

What ASAM levels of care does ARCH provide?

ARCH provides American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) 3.1, 3.5, and 3.7 levels of care.

VOA Alaska additionally provides ASAM 2.7, 2.1, and 1.5 substance use treatment in our Outpatient Clinic.

 

How much does ARCH cost? What insurance is accepted?

We believe financial challenges should not be a barrier to receiving the care you and your family needs. When you register for services, our billing team can work with you to develop a fee schedule and payment plan to best meet your family’s needs. You are never locked into a decision regarding financial options and may apply for additional financial assistance at any time.

VOA Alaska accepts all insurance, and we are in network for Blue Cross.

Learn more about the cost of services and financial assistance options on our Paying for Services page.

What happens when a youth is discharged from ARCH?

Youth and families at ARCH can expect personalized case management and discharge planning from the day of admission.

Each client receives a unique plan tailored to their needs, wants, and available resources, both locally and remotely. Referrals for ongoing care through VOA’s outpatient program, as well as external services like therapeutic foster care, transitional housing for young adults, and home-based family treatment, ensure smooth transitions back to their home community.

How can I donate to ARCH or volunteer my time?

To learn how to donate to VOA Alaska, including in-kind donations, please visit our Donation to VOA Alaska page.

To learn how to volunteer at ARCH, or any VOA Alaska program, please send a message to community@voaak.org.

I want to work at ARCH. How do I apply?

To view and apply for openings at ARCH and in all of VOA Alaska’s programs, visit our Careers page.

VOA Alaska’s treatment programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitative Facilities (CARF) and are approved by the State of Alaska’s Division of Behavioral Health. ARCH is licensed by the Division of Family and Youth Services. Our priority admission criteria includes those who are pregnant, injecting substances, pregnant and injecting substances, involved in Office of Children Services or Division of Juvenile Justice or youth experiencing homelessness.

Read the Latest from Our Behavioral Health Programs

Two speakers on a stage with a large sign behind them reading "Alaska Suicide Prevention Conference."

Beyond ‘good.’ How are you, really?

In our May Newsletter, we provide tips for speaking with youth about their mental health and celebrate a new partnership to expand our day treatment program!

Two speakers on a stage with a large sign behind them reading "Alaska Suicide Prevention Conference."

Beyond ‘good.’ How are you, really?

In our May Newsletter, we provide tips for speaking with youth about their mental health and celebrate a new partnership to expand our day treatment program!