Houston Recovery Center - Comprehensive Analysis Report

Summary

Houston Recovery Center is a Texas local government corporation established by the City of Houston, operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Its core mission is to provide early intervention and community care coordination to underserved individuals impacted by substance use, guiding them toward lifelong recovery. The center envisions universal access to recovery from substance abuse, addressing complex challenges where substance use intersects with law enforcement, the legal system, homelessness, and healthcare costs within Houston and surrounding communities. HRC plays a significant role in its industry by offering an innovative, proactive service model that diverts individuals from the criminal justice system into a supportive recovery environment.

1. Strategic Focus & Objectives

Core Objectives

Houston Recovery Center's primary strategic focus is to provide a comprehensive continuum of care for individuals with substance use disorders. Key objectives include:

Providing a safe sobering environment: Offering an alternative to jail for public intoxication.

Optimizing center utilization: Ensuring efficient use of its facilities and resources.

Sustaining long-term recovery resources: Building and maintaining support systems essential for lasting recovery.

Collaborating with community resources: Partnering with various organizations to enhance patient care and support networks.

Advocating for supportive policies: Promoting policies that facilitate recovery and reduce barriers to care.

Documenting performance: Tracking and reporting outcomes to demonstrate effectiveness and inform continuous improvement.

Securing funding: Diversifying revenue streams to ensure the long-term sustainability of operations.

Specialization Areas

Houston Recovery Center specializes in diverting individuals arrested for public intoxication from the jail system into treatment and recovery resources. Its unique value proposition lies in its innovative, proactive service model that meets individuals at their current stage of substance use and provides tailored recovery assistance. This approach is built on a recovery management framework that includes pre-recovery engagement, recovery initiation and stabilization, long-term recovery maintenance, and quality of life enhancement. The center designs person-centered recovery care plans based on client strengths and goals, acknowledging that recovery outcomes are not solely defined by abstinence. A significant innovation is their "Care Coordination Planning Team," which addresses challenges faced by "super-utilizers" who frequently use emergency services due to chronic, preventable issues linked to mental health and substance abuse.

Target Markets

The primary market segments for Houston Recovery Center are individuals affected by substance use, particularly those who are underserved and often entangled with the law enforcement and legal systems due to public intoxication. This includes individuals experiencing homelessness and those frequently utilizing emergency services due to chronic substance-related issues. The center's market positioning strategy focuses on providing early intervention and a continuum of care that bridges the gap between acute crisis and long-term recovery, emphasizing diversion from the criminal justice system.

2. Financial Overview

Funding History

Houston Recovery Center is largely funded by grants from various governmental bodies.

Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023:

Approximately $1.7 million in grants from the City of Houston.

Approximately $2.1 million in federal grants.

Approximately $629 thousand from other local governments.

Federally-funded program expenditures were approximately $2.1 million.

Total net position decreased by $63,708.

Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2020:

Approximately $2.4 million from City grants.

Approximately $672 thousand in federal grants.

Approximately $591 thousand from other local governments.

Total net position decreased by $440 thousand.

The center also welcomes donations to support its services, indicating a diversified funding approach.

3. Product Pipeline

Key Products/Services

Houston Recovery Center operates several key programs designed to offer a continuum of care:

Sobering Center:

Description: Opened in April 2013, this program serves as an alternative to jail for public intoxication. It provides a safe environment for individuals to sober up.

Development Stage: Fully operational.

Target Market/Condition: Individuals arrested for public intoxication.

Key Features and Benefits: Offers screening, assessment, and counseling services, diverting individuals from the criminal justice system.

Partners in Recovery Program:

Description: Launched in April 2014, this is an 18-month intensive recovery support program. It pairs clients with a licensed chemical dependency counselor and a peer recovery support specialist.

Development Stage: Fully operational and expanded.

Target Market/Condition: Individuals seeking long-term recovery support for substance use disorders.

Key Features and Benefits: Provides intensive case management, ongoing support, and connections to community resources for treatment, housing, and other health and life needs. It has expanded to include Pre-Recovery Engagement Program (PREP) and Personal Recovery Support (PRS) levels of care to address diverse populations. This program also includes a criminal justice in-reach component with case managers in jails and courtrooms, and peer recovery specialists working with the Reintegration Court.

Public Intoxication Transport team (PIT):

Description: Launched in May 2016 in response to a mass overdose event and the "Kush" epidemic among the homeless population.

Development Stage: Fully operational.

Target Market/Condition: Individuals experiencing substance use crises on the streets, particularly the homeless population.

Key Features and Benefits: Provides on-the-street interventions with EMTs and peer recovery specialists, offering immediate assistance and connection to care.

4. Technology & Innovation

Technology Stack

Houston Recovery Center primarily employs an innovative, proactive service model centered on a recovery management framework that extends "beyond the four walls" of traditional detox and treatment facilities. This framework is informed by William White’s "The White Papers."

Proprietary Developments: The "Care Coordination Planning Team" is a significant internal innovation. This multidisciplinary team meets quarterly to discuss data sharing and care coordination for "super-utilizers" – individuals who frequently access emergency services due to chronic, preventable issues often linked to mental health and substance abuse.

Scientific Methodologies: Staff are trained in evidence-based practices that are culturally sensitive and adaptable to clients' lived experiences. The recovery management framework itself is a structured, evidence-informed approach.

Technical Capabilities: While specific software or IT infrastructure is not detailed, the "Care Coordination Planning Team" implies capabilities in data sharing and collaborative planning across multiple community partners. The center's emphasis on tracking performance indicates data collection and analysis capabilities.

5. Leadership & Management

Executive Team

Susana Deltoro, MS, LPC, LCDC - Chief Executive Officer

Professional background: Foundational leader at Houston Recovery Center since 2013, instrumental in building the clinical department and co-creating the 18-month recovery program. Holds a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling and is dually licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC).

Notable achievements: Key role in establishing HRC's clinical framework and essential recovery programs.

Key contributions: Leads the strategic direction and operational execution of the center's mission.

Leonard Kincaid, LCDC, LPC, MBA - Senior Consultant

Professional background: Co-founder and former Executive Director/CEO of Houston Recovery Center. Over 30 years of experience in addiction and mental health. Holds an MBA and is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. Serves on boards for Texas Recovers, Network of Behavioral Health Providers, and Crisis Intervention Houston. Co-founder and chair of the Houston Recovery Initiative.

Notable achievements: Instrumental in the establishment and growth of HRC, recognized as one of Houston's Top CEOs in August 2024 for his contributions over 11 years.

Key contributions: Provides strategic guidance and expertise in his consulting role, leveraging extensive industry experience.

Suzanne Jarvis, MPH - Director of Strategic Initiatives

Professional background: Previously Executive Director for Living Forward Alliance.

Notable achievements: Developed an award-winning personal growth and re-entry program for incarcerated women in addiction treatment. Volunteers for the Houston Recovery Initiative as the Recovery Advocacy Committee Chair.

Key contributions: Drives strategic partnerships and program development initiatives.

Debra Villanueva - Manager of Human Resource, Payroll & Safety

Professional background: 14 years of experience in workforce development.

Key contributions: Ensures a strong human resource department and professional organizational structure.

Melissa Tucker - Management Team Member (Position not specified)

Board of Directors

Dr. Asim A. Shah, MD

Burnell Jones, JD

David Y. Stutts, CPA

Kimberly Thompson, CFRE

Michelle Alexander, Ph.D., LCSW-S

Dr. Sara Jahansouz-Wray

Dr. Scott F. Basinger, PhD

Howard Henderson, Ph. D.

Randall C. Houston, CPA (also Vice President and CFO at Star of Hope Mission)

Ex-officio Board Members

Assistant Chief Patricia Cantu (Houston Police Department)

David Persse, MD (City of Houston Public Health Authority)

Stephen Williams (Houston Department of Health)

Recent Leadership Changes

Leonard Kincaid, a co-founder and former Executive Director/CEO, transitioned to a Senior Consultant role. Susana Deltoro has since assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer. This transition occurred prior to August 2024, when Leonard Kincaid was recognized as one of Houston's Top CEOs for his impact over his 11 years with HRC.

6. Talent and Growth Indicators

Hiring Trends and Workforce

Houston Recovery Center emphasizes that its employees are its most valuable asset and actively seeks passionate and motivated individuals. The center is committed to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment, providing tools, resources, and opportunities for professional growth and development.

Employee Count: Houston Recovery Center has an employee headcount of 62 in North America (United States).

Hiring Focus: The center is actively recruiting, with job listings for "Recovery Center jobs in Houston, TX" indicating ongoing demand for talent in the sector. Key roles being recruited would likely include licensed counselors, peer recovery support specialists, case managers, and administrative support, aligning with their program needs.

Employee Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; retirement savings plans (e.g., 401(k)); paid time off, sick leave, and holidays; and employee assistance programs.

Company Growth Trajectory Indicators: The center's expansion of programs, such as Partners in Recovery to include PREP and PRS, and the establishment of the PIT team, demonstrate a growing operational footprint and demand for services. Continued securing of significant federal and local grants also indicates a stable and potentially expanding financial base.

7. Social Media Presence and Engagement

Digital Footprint

Houston Recovery Center maintains a strong and active digital presence across multiple social media platforms to disseminate its mission and engage with the community.

Platforms: Facebook, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

Brand Messaging: Their social media content consistently highlights the center's mission, core values, and the impact of its services, often featuring individual recovery stories and community engagement initiatives.

Community Engagement Strategies: Actively promotes public health campaigns, such as "Plan A Good Time," aimed at reducing DUI/DWI fatalities in Harris County.

Thought Leadership: The YouTube channel features videos showcasing their innovative model and testimonials from staff, articulating their approach to recovery.

Notable Campaigns/Content: "Plan A Good Time" campaign and videos detailing the HRC model and staff testimonials on recovery.

Facebook: [https://www.facebook.com/HoustonRecoveryCenter/](https://www.facebook.com/HoustonRecoveryCenter/)

X (formerly Twitter): [https://twitter.com/HoustonRecovery](https://twitter.com/HoustonRecovery)

LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/company/houston-recovery-center](https://www.linkedin.com/company/houston-recovery-center)

YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/@HoustonRecoveryCenter](https://www.youtube.com/@HoustonRecoveryCenter)

Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/houstonrecovery/](https://www.instagram.com/houstonrecovery/)

8. Recognition and Awards

Industry Recognition

Leadership Recognition: Leonard Kincaid, the co-founder and former CEO, was recognized in August 2024 as one of Houston's Top CEOs, acknowledging his significant contributions to the organization's financial success, work culture, and community impact over 11 years with HRC.

9. Competitive Analysis

Major Competitors

In the Houston area, other organizations offer substance abuse and mental health recovery services, creating a competitive landscape.

The Council on Recovery:

Company overview: Houston's oldest and largest non-profit provider of prevention, education, and outpatient treatment for alcohol, drug, and addiction-related issues.

Focus areas: Comprehensive prevention, education, and outpatient treatment services across various addiction types.

Technological capabilities: Likely employs a blend of traditional and modern therapeutic approaches, though specific technology is not detailed.

Notable achievements: Long-standing history and established presence as a leading non-profit in the region.

Competitive positioning: Strong market presence due to tenure and breadth of services, potentially appealing to a broader demographic than HRC's specific focus on public intoxication diversion.

Positive Recovery Centers:

Company overview: Offers a range of treatment options across Texas, with locations in Houston.

Focus areas: Medical detox, residential treatment, and various outpatient programs. Emphasizes a unique approach combining positive psychology with evidence-based methods.

Technological capabilities: Likely incorporates modern therapeutic modalities and possibly digital tools for client engagement, given its focus on innovative approaches.

Competitive positioning: Differentiates itself through a unique treatment philosophy (positive psychology) and a broader array of treatment levels from detox to residential and outpatient, potentially attracting clients seeking more intensive or structured programs.

10. Market Analysis

Market Overview

The market for substance use disorder treatment and recovery services in Houston and surrounding communities is significant, driven by ongoing challenges related to problematic substance use, homelessness, and the associated societal costs.

Total Addressable Market Size: Given the widespread impact of substance use, particularly in urban areas, the total addressable market is large, encompassing individuals from various socioeconomic backgrounds, with a particular emphasis on underserved populations often intersecting with the criminal justice and healthcare systems.

Growth Potential: The market demonstrates continued growth potential due to increasing awareness of substance use disorders as public health issues, evolving policy frameworks emphasizing treatment over incarceration, and the ongoing need for recovery support.

Key Market Trends:

Diversion programs: A growing trend toward diverting individuals with substance use disorders from the criminal justice system into treatment and recovery programs, aligning with HRC's core model.

Integrated care: Increased demand for integrated care models that address co-occurring mental health and physical health issues alongside substance use.

Peer support: Recognition of the effectiveness of peer-led recovery support services.

Evidence-based practices: Emphasis on treatments and interventions supported by scientific evidence.

Market Challenges and Opportunities:

Challenges: Funding sustainability, overcoming stigma, ensuring universal access to care, addressing the complexities of co-occurring disorders, and managing the high demand for services among vulnerable populations.

Opportunities: Expansion of prevention and early intervention programs, leveraging technology for remote support/telehealth (where applicable), fostering stronger community partnerships for comprehensive care, and advocating for policies that support a public health approach to substance use.

12. Operational Insights

Current Market Position: Houston Recovery Center holds a strong, specialized market position as a key alternative to incarceration for public intoxication in Houston, focusing on early intervention and long-term recovery support.

Competitive Advantages:

Governmental backing: Established by the City of Houston, providing a unique foundation and credibility.

Diversion model: A proven model for diverting individuals from the criminal justice system, reducing strain on jails and providing compassionate care.

Continuum of care: Offers a comprehensive approach from immediate sobering to 18-month recovery support, addressing various stages of recovery.

Community integration: Strong emphasis on collaboration with community partners, enhancing the scope and effectiveness of services.

Innovative programs: Implementation of initiatives like the PIT team and the "Care Coordination Planning Team" for "super-utilizers" demonstrates a proactive and adaptive approach.

Operational Strengths:

Dedicated leadership: A leadership team with extensive experience in addiction and mental health.

Robust program pipeline: Well-defined and expanded programs (Sobering Center, Partners in Recovery, PIT team) address critical needs.

Strong funding base: Significant grant funding from city, state, and federal sources.

Evidence-based approach: Commitment to culturally sensitive, evidence-based practices.

Areas for Improvement: While comprehensive, the report does not detail specific technological infrastructure beyond the general "care coordination" aspect. Further development in digital platforms for client tracking, telehealth integration, or data analytics could enhance operational efficiency and reach. Marketing and public relations efforts could further amplify the center's impact and attract broader philanthropic support.

13. Future Outlook

Strategic Roadmap

Houston Recovery Center is poised for continued impactful growth, guided by its commitment to universal access to recovery.

Planned Initiatives: Continuation and potential expansion of core programs like the Sobering Center and Partners in Recovery. The "Care Coordination Planning Team" initiative suggests further efforts to optimize outcomes for high-need individuals. The Houston Recovery Initiative, co-founded by Leonard Kincaid, will likely continue operationalizing recovery projects and addressing stigma.

Growth Strategies:

Program expansion: Deepening the reach and impact of existing programs and potentially developing new ones to address emerging needs in the substance use landscape.

Enhanced partnerships: Strengthening collaborations with existing community partners and forging new ones to create a more seamless and integrated recovery ecosystem.