All Kinds of Therapy -- Announces First Economic Impact Study Revealing Over 400 Million of GDP in Utah
Salt Lake City, UT (PRWEB) August 09, 2016 -- The study was created and compiled by the the Kem Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah, revealing the total economic impact of the industry on the sum of its direct, indirect and induced effects on the state of Utah. The study also revealed that 6,400 jobs are created, which is surprisingly more than the famed Sundance Film Festival. In Utah, 21 of the 29 counties have at least one treatment program operating and creating employment. The study included 59 of the 72 programs for teens and young adults ranging from residential treatment centers, therapeutic boarding schools, psychiatric hospitals, to wilderness therapy programs. Families pay out-of- pocket for this type of treatment. This study does not include primary substance abuse treatment, publicly funded or insurance-driven facilities in Utah.
Jenney Wilder, M.S.Ed., the founder of All Kinds of Therapy, sponsored the study to measure the economic impact of the industry in the state of Utah from an academic, independent source: the Kem Gardner Policy Institute. She collaborated with the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) which had 40 of their 47 Utah members participate in the study. “Moving to Utah four years ago, I realized that everyone had heard of parent choice behavioral healthcare programs in the state, but I did not fully realize the depth of its impact on the state’s economy” said Wilder. “I learned how the Kem Gardner Policy Institute specializes in economic impact studies of how industries bring money into Utah and asked them to perform the study. This is a huge economic impact that would not be in Utah if these types of facilities were abundant throughout the state.” 85.5 of the 6,066 clients treated in Utah in 2015 were from other states and countries.
The study breaks down the spending attributed to the treatment programs and families who place their troubled teens in Utah. As part of treatment process, most families visit Utah several times for parent workshops or to transport from one program to another. On average, each treatment program’s visitors are responsible for $206,400 for a total of $16,304,000 in hospitality dollars spent on local accommodations while they are visiting Utah.
“Beyond the money that is brought into the state of Utah through this industry, there are 6,400 jobs and 6,066 clients receiving services, which is almost a 1:1 ratio,” said Wilder, “I knew that Utah state licensing requirements for many programs have high staff to student ratios, but that number means that almost every client coming into Utah represents one new job created.” Additionally, 56.9% of the employees in this industry have a bachelor’s degree or higher, and the median pay is 22% higher than the average Utahn.
The last time this industry was examined broadly was by Forbes Magazine in October 2002. That article stated that this was a growth industry (Brown, Erika. "When Rich Kids Go Bad." Forbes, 14 Oct. 2002. Web.) Their research revealed that 10,000 students per year were enrolled in family choice behavioral healthcare treatment programs and estimated this was a $2 billion-a-year national industry. Based on these new numbers from Utah alone, which only accounts for 30% of the membership of NATSAP, it is safe to estimate that there are more than 15,000 clients being treated, nearly 50% growth from 2002, despite the recession.
Lastly, the report uncovered that the industry also has a strong charitable presence. Wilder previously worked as a therapeutic consultant, helping families to place clients in treatment programs in Utah and around the country. “I knew that there were discounts for those who qualified for tuition assistance. It was no surprise to me that the 59 programs that participated in the study reported that they offered discounts and scholarships for a total of $19,385,589 in 2015,” said Wilder.
To read the Research Brief please visit, https://www.allkindsoftherapy.com/economic-impact-treatment-programs-utah
About All Kinds of Therapy
All Kinds of Therapy (allkindsoftherapy.com) is located in downtown Salt Lake City, UT. It is surrounded by cutting-edge private pay, parent choice behavioral health and substance abuse treatment programs for troubled teens and young adults. The website is the only independent, comprehensive online directory available with the ability to search and compare the vast options available to families in search of residential treatment options like Wilderness Therapy programs, psychiatric assessment and treatment facilities, and Therapeutic Experts. All Kinds of Therapy will donate 1% of its net income to nonprofits that they believe encompass all types of education, all types of learning, and all types of therapy.
Jenney Wilder, AllKindsofTherapy.com, +1 2026302563, [email protected]
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