Manatee Glens closes residential program

Budget cuts are forcing Manatee Glens to close its residential treatment program for teenagers with substance abuse and mental issues despite an increase in requests for service.

The Adolescent Recovery Center, which provides teenagers with therapy and counseling while attending classes, will close June 30, the organization’s Chief Operating Officer Deborah Kostroun said.

The $1.1 million center, which housed up to 16 children, was paid through county, state and private funding. A 10% cut in funding from Manatee County amounted to a $53,000 loss for the program.

“That doesn’t seem like a significant mount, but we were barely able to sustain it on a full budget,” Kostroun said. “We just couldn’t run it on any less money. Acknowledging that, we tried to figure out a way that we can serve these children and more children with a different level of care.”

Kostroun said the money that would have gone to the facility now will go toward intensive outpatient services for the children who would have used the center. Under the new format, Manatee Glens will be able to serve about 80 children.

“The county has been very supportive and creative in helping us to serve the community,” Kostroun said. “(The program) has been wonderful.”