AUGUSTA — After losing a state bid, a group providing residential substance abuse treatment for teenagers on the city’s north side will close its doors.

On April 18, Phoenix House, part of a national organization that serves people in 12 states, will close after nearly 11 years in Augusta providing services to people ages 13 to 18 with substance abuse problems, according to a news release issued Monday.

The 14-bed Phoenix House on Kamich Drive served hundreds of people over that time, the release said, allowing participants to get high school diplomas under the supervision of the Maranacook Community School District while pursuing treatment.

Sarah Grant, a spokeswoman for the Maine Office of MaineCare Services, within the Department of Health and Human Services, said South Portland-based Day One beat out the Phoenix House to serve the central Maine region, but its location hasn’t been determined.

A state directory from October 2013 said Phoenix House is the only residential substance rehabilitation facility in Kennebec County and one of 12 statewide. Day One operates a similar residential program in southern Maine, but Lisa Munderback, its chief of operations, didn’t return a message Tuesday afternoon seeking comment on the group’s plans.

Sheila McDonald, a Rhode Island-based regional spokeswoman for the Phoenix House organization, said other programs in Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Massachusetts will remain open. The news release also said the organization “will continue to work with state agencies to ensure a smooth transition for all adolescent clients to their new care provider.”

Michael Shepherd — 370-7652 mshepherd@centralmaine.com Twitter: @mikeshepherdme


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