ABOUT STEPHEN CENTER
Founded in 1983, the Stephen Center is a nonprofit organization that provides services to homeless and low-income individuals in Omaha, Nebraska. The center offers an emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, transitional-living facilities, and residential and outpatient services for individuals struggling with addiction or dual diagnosis.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
The Stephen Center’s addiction treatment program, known as “HERO” (Health, Empowerment, Responsibility, and Opportunity), incorporates therapy, counseling, motivational approaches, and evidence-based practices. Twelve-step programs are utilized but are not the foundation of the program. Family participation is encouraged, and medication management is utilized when appropriate.
The most intensive level of addiction programming is residential treatment, which involves staying at the John Hoich Center for Recovery. The typical duration of residential treatment is 30 to 45 days. Once individuals are ready, they transition to intensive outpatient programming (IOP), which lasts 12 to 16 weeks, depending on the individual’s needs. General outpatient care lasts six to eight weeks. Both programs include individual and group counseling. There is also a dedicated IOP for youth aged 13 to 19.
After completing outpatient treatment, many clients enter a relapse prevention phase, which involves living in a transitional living facility, maintaining employment, and attending at least one outpatient group per week. The minimum stay for this phase of treatment is 45 days.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The Stephen Center employs a multidisciplinary team of licensed mental health professionals, licensed addiction counselors, and case managers to provide treatment. The staff’s level of training and experience has received positive feedback from clients.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
At the John Hoich building, the Stephen Center can accommodate up to 32 men and 32 women at a time for inpatient treatment. Detailed information about the living arrangements and amenities is not provided. However, clients have praised the cleanliness, accommodations, and meals provided by the facility, although exercise and leisure offerings received lower ratings.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
According to the feedback from an alum, the Stephen Center is recommended. The dedication of the staff and the use of alcoholics anonymous principles were highly praised. The facility received positive ratings for family participation and its ability to treat co-occurring disorders. However, treatment effectiveness and holistic offerings received lower ratings.
Secondary sites also indicate mostly positive reviews of the Stephen Center’s HERO program. The majority of reviews express gratitude for the positive impact on their lives, with staff being particularly appreciated. However, there were some negative reviews related to strict rules and individual staff members.
WHAT STAFF SAY
Staff reviews on secondary sites were exclusively positive. The management and working with shelter clients were praised. However, it should be noted that one review specifically applied to working at the thrift store, not the treatment facility.
FINANCING
Residential treatment at the Stephen Center costs $775 per month, with $400 allocated for treatment and $375 for accommodations. The fees for outpatient services are based on a sliding scale and may be provided for free to certain clients, such as emergency shelter residents. Substance use evaluations conducted by licensed staff members cost $190, while evaluations conducted by interns under supervision cost $25. Affordable pricing has been positively rated by clients.