I thank you very much for the support you give to my child, in terms of overcoming an addiction, your staff will always be well trained. The beginning is a little difficult but it is highly recommended
About AMIkids
AMIkids Acadiana is a residential program located in Branch, Louisiana. They assist teenagers struggling with substance abuse. You are urged to believe in the transformational power here. Their aim is to help each young person reach their full potential. They have made it their goal to encourage change in community building since 2008. Youth at this facility are empowered by a committed team that offers them ongoing guidance and support.
Along with the Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice, their residential program has successfully helped over 600 boys between the ages of 14 and 18 equipping them with the skills they need to face a bright future with confidence. The program offers a secure environment for young people to live on campus around the clock. Trauma-informed practices are used by staff members to assist youth in acquiring critical life skills required for a smooth transition back into their families and communities.
In particular, their Juvenile Justice Residential program provides 24 hour rehabilitative care to youth who’re referred primarily for delinquency. Other treatment services are also available for those who are struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues. Their efforts have a big impact. Around 79 percent of participants continue to be crime free and 87 percent of participants successfully complete the program. Another distinguishing feature of their approach is academic growth in reading and math for students who want to do better.
The facility’s executive director and a volunteer board made up of prominent members of the community provide leadership so that their beneficial impact is felt far and wide. Them providing young people the chance to reach their full potential not only helps them live better lives but it also empowers and enhances the community.
Latest Reviews
My grandson is there and I was scared at first I didn't even know what the property looks like or anything but it's pretty much way out in the boondocks seen plenty of corn fields and it's located down a long gravel road I was like oh my God there's not even blacktop roads but we got there and it's like a couple separate buildings and my grandson was so happy he didn't act like he wanted to go home or juvie LOL the staff was very nice it's way more than I expected I had told my grandson that I would like to try to maybe donate some stuff for them to do you know games and stuff like that but he said no mamaw we have plenty of stuff to do I get to choose my chores and I chose to cut grass what she likes because his papa never lets him we're about an hour and a half for longer away from there but it's really nice as we were there they was cooking them po'boys french fries and I'm trying to think something else but he said he's eating very good there and you know they pretty much mentor them and cancel them and they don't see race the one man that works the board is you know the one that told me that and he was so kind to us he seemed like he really cared about my grandson
Had a great time can t wait to come back I m so ready for my son to come home
If you have a child there please check on your kids. These people will smile in your face and put on a show as if they have compassion for kids, but they really don't. They curse at these kids and belittle them and expect to be respected as adults. If they have favoritism to the kids that they have a liking too anything they do is overlooked. The program coordinator has a handful of woman working at the facility he has a liking too and is a married man. One counselor is a narrator who just constantly read off of the paper and expose the kids if they go to her with a issue of an individual instead of keep counseling sessions confidential. The program director cuss at the kids especially if he dislikes the child. They have students with excessive amounts of UOR's that have been from dorm to dorm that they do nothing about because they just have a liking into certain kids. Tge staff allow the boys to fight inside the bathroom because you can't see on the camera. It's just not all what it says it is about. They allow some parents to sit into visitation with cell phones, taking pictures going live when it should be privacy of the other students. They give up on kids fast and make it hard for them to make their ranks to get out of there. They have staff counseling you and your child in family sessions without a degree. They have family working with family which it shouldsho be that way due to favoritism. It's just not good. Very bad experience and I'm relieved my child is no longer there.
Response from the owner4 years ago
Dedra, we're very sorry to hear of these issues. We are looking into this immediately. Please email marketing@amikids.org if you have other insight or questions. 
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Other Forms of Payment
Medicaid is a state based program that helps lower-income individuals and families pay for healthcare. Medicaid covers addiction treatment so those enrolled can use their coverage to pay for rehab. When a program accepts Medicaid the client often pays very little or nothing out of their own pocket.
Financial aid can take many forms. Centers may have grants or scholarships available to clients who meet eligibility requirements. Programs that receive SAMHSA grants may have financial aid available for those who need treatment as well. Grants and scholarships can help you pai for treatment without having to repay.
Addiction Treatments
Levels of Care
Outpatient Outpatient Programs (OP) are for those seeking mental rehab or drug rehab, but who also stay at home every night. The main difference between outpatient treatment (OP) and intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) lies in the amount of hours the patient spends at the facility. Most of the time an outpatient program is designed for someone who has completed an inpatient stay and is looking to continue their growth in recovery. Outpatient is not meant to be the starting point, it is commonly referred to as aftercare.
Aftercare Support Completing a drug or alcohol rehab program shouldn't spell the end of substance abuse treatment. Aftercare involves making a sustainable plan for recovery, including ongoing support. This can include sober living arrangements like halfway houses, career counseling, and setting a patient up with community programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
Treatments
The goal of treatment for alcoholism is abstinence. Those with poor social support, poor motivation, or psychiatric disorders tend to relapse within a few years of treatment. For these people, success is measured by longer periods of abstinence, reduced use of alcohol, better health, and improved social functioning. Recovery and Maintenance are usually based on 12 step programs and AA meetings.
While each drug rehab in Louisiana offers unique elements, recovery support often follows a similar pattern. Detox is followed by inpatient and/or outpatient care, then aftercare support is provided once the participant completes the initial program.
A combined mental health and substance abuse rehab has the staff and resources available to handle individuals with both mental health and substance abuse issues. It can be challenging to determine where a specific symptom stems from (a mental health issue or an issue related to substance abuse), so mental health and substance abuse professionals are helpful in detangling symptoms and keeping treatment on track.
Opioid rehabs specialize in supporting those recovering from opioid addiction. They treat those suffering from addiction to illegal opioids like heroin, as well as prescription drugs like oxycodone. These centers typically combine both physical as well as mental and emotional support to help stop addiction. Physical support often includes medical detox and subsequent medical support (including medication), and mental support includes in-depth therapy to address the underlying causes of addiction.
Clinical Services
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy modality that focuses on the relationship between one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is used to establish and allow for healthy responses to thoughts and feelings (instead of unhealthy responses, like using drugs or alcohol). CBT has been proven effective for recovering addicts of all kinds, and is used to strengthen a patient's own self-awareness and ability to self-regulate. CBT allows individuals to monitor their own emotional state, become more adept at communicating with others, and manage stress without needing to engage in substance abuse.
Whether a marriage or other committed relationship, an intimate partnership is one of the most important aspects of a person's life. Drug and alcohol addiction affects both members of a couple in deep and meaningful ways, as does rehab and recovery. Couples therapy and other couples-focused treatment programs are significant parts of exploring triggers of addiction, as well as learning how to build healthy patterns to support ongoing sobriety.
Creativity is inherently healing, and can help those in recovery express thoughts or feelings they might not otherwise be able to. Creative arts therapy can include music, poetry/writing, painting, sculpting, dance, theater, sandplay, and more. Unlike traditional art, the final product matters far less than the experience of creation and expression itself.
Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.
Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.
In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.
Life skills trainings involve all the skills a person must have in order to function successfully in the world. These include time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication. Truly successful addiction recovery is based on the ability to not only live substance-free, but to thrive. Life skills teaches the practical necessities of functioning in society, which sets clients up for success in life, and therefore sobriety.
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a clinical approach to helping people with substance abuse issues and other conditions shift behavior in positive ways. It is more goal-oriented than traditional psychotherapy, as MI counselors directly attempt to get clients to consider making behavioral change (rather than wait for them to come to conclusions themselves). Its primary purpose is to resolve ambivalence and help clients become able to make healthy choices freely.
Trauma therapy addresses traumatic incidents from a client's past that are likely affecting their present-day experience. Trauma is often one of the primary triggers and potential causes of addiction, and can stem from child sexual abuse, domestic violence, having a parent with a mental illness, losing one or both parents at a young age, teenage or adult sexual assault, or any number of other factors. The purpose of trauma therapy is to allow a patient to process trauma and move through and past it, with the help of trained and compassionate mental health professionals.
Amenities
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Residential Setting -
Hiking -
Gym
Staff & Accreditations
Staff
Mike Thornton
President & CEO
Heyward Golden
SVP of Operations
Maria Porto-Duarte
CFO
Rosemary Brackman
VP of Support Services
Angee Hastings
Chief People & Culture Officer
Dr. Amy Bradshaw Hoppock
VP of Behavioral Health
Brad Roub
Chair
Accreditations
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1992 by congress, SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on American's communities.
SAMHSA Listed: Yes
Contact Information
(337) 334-4838 
611 Celestine La Tortue Road
Branch, LA 70516
Get Help Now - 337-595-0986
Who Answers?
Who Answers?
Fact checked and written by:
Sehar Uddin
Edited by:
Peter Lee, PhD
