The landscape of behavioral health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment continues to grow across the country, with several new facilities opening and others in development. These additions reflect the increasing demand for specialized care, particularly in the areas of autism treatment, adolescent mental health, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for individuals with substance use disorders. Recent announcements showcase a wave of expansion by both nonprofit providers and private organizations dedicated to bridging service gaps in their communities.
Expanding Access to Autism Services
One of the most significant developments in the behavioral health care field is the steady increase in autism treatment centers, particularly those focused on applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy. ABA remains one of the most widely recognized and evidence-based approaches to helping individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) build social, communication, and functional skills.
Autism Home Support Services Expands in Illinois
Northbrook, Illinois-based Autism Home Support Services (AHSS), a provider of ABA therapy, recently opened a new location in Rockford, Illinois. This center will offer one-on-one, small group, and social skills therapy for children 18 months and older diagnosed with ASD. Over time, the center also plans to integrate occupational, physical, and speech therapy services, creating a comprehensive care model for families.
AHSS, which already operates centers in Illinois, Colorado, and Michigan, is part of Invo HealthCare, a Pennsylvania-based organization specializing in children’s behavioral health and special education management. The expansion into Rockford signals the organization’s commitment to increasing access to early intervention and long-term autism therapy, particularly in regions where such services are limited.
Caravel Autism Services Joins Rockford Expansion
Another ABA provider, Caravel Autism Services, also recently established a presence in Rockford. Caravel is currently conducting evaluations and expects to launch full client services in March. Beyond Rockford, Caravel operates facilities across Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, reflecting a broader Midwestern strategy to expand autism care accessibility.
By opening in the same community as AHSS, Caravel demonstrates how demand for autism services is strong enough to support multiple providers in the same region. For families, this means more options when it comes to treatment approaches, location convenience, and insurance coverage.
East Stroudsburg University Opens Autism Education Center
Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, East Stroudsburg University has unveiled its Autism Education Center, a resource hub designed for community residents and families. Unlike direct therapy providers, this center serves as a connector—offering referrals to specialized care, hosting networking opportunities, and providing workshops and training. It will also serve as a resource for teachers seeking to better support students with ASD in educational settings.
By housing the center within the university’s Innovation Center, East Stroudsburg is blending academic research with community service, ensuring that families in the region can access both expertise and resources in one place.
Cardinal Autism Services Expands Into Texas
Brighton, Colorado-based Cardinal Autism Services has also broadened its reach with the opening of a new center in Sugar Land, Texas, a suburb of Houston. This facility provides therapy for individuals between the ages of 2 and 22, with both in-clinic and home-based therapy available. Cardinal accepts most private insurance, making its programs more accessible to a wide range of families.
With operations already in five states, Cardinal’s new center highlights the organization’s growing footprint in the southern United States, an area where access to autism care has traditionally been more limited compared to the Midwest and Northeast.
Substance Use Disorder Treatment: Expanding Through MAT
While autism services are gaining traction, providers of SUD treatment are also making significant strides. One of the most pressing needs in this sector is expanding access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which combines FDA-approved medications such as buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone with counseling and behavioral therapy.
Pinnacle Treatment Centers Opens in Ohio
Pinnacle Treatment Centers, based in New Jersey, has opened a new MAT facility in Georgetown, Ohio. The center will serve up to 75 patients daily and will accept Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance. This expansion marks Pinnacle’s 99th facility nationwide and its 16th in Ohio.
CEO Joe Pritchard emphasized the importance of broadening access to MAT, particularly in rural areas where opioid use disorder has devastated communities but treatment options remain scarce. By situating a center in Georgetown, located southeast of Cincinnati, Pinnacle is directly addressing this service gap.
Coming Soon: Facilities in Development
In addition to the centers already open, several new facilities are in the pipeline. These projects reflect the forward momentum in behavioral health and demonstrate how states, universities, and private organizations are investing in new infrastructure to meet growing needs.
Northampton Recovery Center Relocates Headquarters
In Massachusetts, the Northampton Recovery Center (NRC), a community-focused SUD treatment provider, is preparing to move into a new headquarters. The new facility, which previously housed a bakery, will allow NRC to expand its services following the receipt of a state grant. This move not only provides more space but also symbolizes the transformation of an unused building into a vital resource for recovery support.
Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers Announce Multiple Expansions
Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers, headquartered in Indianapolis, is embarking on a significant expansion. Construction will soon begin on a 10,000-square-foot center in Terre Haute, Indiana, designed to replace an older facility. With space for 50 to 60 children and 55 staff members, the center will provide ABA therapy to children as young as 15 months.
Beyond Indiana, Hopebridge also announced plans to open 12 new facilities across Colorado over the next 12 to 18 months. This expansion demonstrates Hopebridge’s long-term strategy to reach more children and families nationwide.
New Adolescent Mental Health Facility in Utah
In St. George, Utah, Vive Adolescent Care is preparing to open its doors next month. This facility will focus on stabilization and treatment services for adolescents, with a capacity of 50 patients. Programs will include one-on-one therapy as well as monthly support services, and patients can stay for up to 30 days.
With youth mental health crises rising nationally, Vive’s opening is timely and critical. It will provide immediate support for families in southern Utah, a region where adolescent-specific treatment options have been limited.
Conclusion: A Growing Network of Care
The recent flurry of new facility openings and announcements highlights a hopeful trend: the United States is steadily investing in behavioral health and SUD treatment infrastructure. From ABA therapy centers for children with autism to MAT programs combating the opioid epidemic, these facilities are expanding access to evidence-based care in communities that desperately need them.
While challenges remain—including workforce shortages, insurance barriers, and uneven access across states—the continued growth of providers like AHSS, Caravel, Pinnacle, and Hopebridge is a step in the right direction. Families and individuals now have more opportunities to find the help they need, whether it’s for autism, substance use disorder, or adolescent mental health.
As these new facilities open their doors and future projects move forward, one thing is clear: the pipeline for behavioral health and SUD treatment is strong, and the future of accessible, community-based care looks brighter than ever.
