One of the state’s most prominent youth treatment and foster care programs plans to acquire more resources for their clients. Abbott House has raised over $10 million to acquire the Rapid City-based organization Wellfully.
Abbott House leadership says by adding Wellfully’s resources to their programming, critical youth mental healthcare and behavioral services will remain stable and locally led.
That includes Eric Klooz, Abbott House Executive Director. While not set in stone just yet, he hopes the deal is closed by the new year.
"There is a lot that needs to happen," Klooz said. "The two boards have signed a letter of intent which is just a process for moving forward. So, we are hopeful that January 1 or February 1 – depending on some legal documents getting done on time – the Wellfully program will basically come under the Abbott House umbrella.”
For now, Klooz said he’s excited by what the merger symbolizes for both organizations’ clients.
“I was at Wellfully all day today and we met with staff and their clinical team and their management team," Klooz said. "There are way more similarities than there are differences. The really neat thing about both organizations is the staff. Being able to connect staff at the Abbott House program and the Wellfully program is only going to make each of us stronger.”
For Klooz, that means more comprehensive care for Abbott House’s clients.
“We’ll be able to really provide a continuum of care, from inpatient treatment and drug and alcohol treatment, to foster care and independent living apartments," Klooz said. "We’ll almost be a one-stop-shop for kids all across the state.”
Abbott House has nearly 90 years of experience for youth in need, primarily focusing on comprehensive residential treatment and foster care. Wellfully has targeted youth substance and crisis care in the western half of the state since 1990.
