Aspire Indiana Health Remains Dedicated to Its Mission After More Than Five Decades
Writer / Julie Yates
Photography Provided
Aspire Indiana Health provides care for individuals and entire families facing a multitude of challenges. Initially a mental health and addiction treatment provider, it has expanded in recent years to meet the need for primary health care while supporting other intertwined issues. For more than 50 years the system has quietly grown and changed, as it has responded to the needs of the time.
“Aspire Indiana Health began in 1966 as a behavioral health provider for marginalized individuals who were involved in the justice system,” says Christopher Lloyd, senior director of marketing and communications. “Patients were referred to the organization by the courts or Department of Child Services. Today we offer mental health care, physical health care, and provide many different programs that address issues such as employment and housing. We serve people from every walk of life, from infants to seniors. As a safety-net provider, we are funded through state and federal programs. We work with any insurance and offer a sliding scale, but the bulk of payment usually comes through Medicaid and Medicare.”
As a nonprofit, Aspire has around 750 employees, and facilities located in Anderson, Carmel, Elwood, Indianapolis, Lebanon and Noblesville. It offers family primary health care, besides treating substance abuse with one-on-one counseling and group therapy, which includes family therapy. However, it utilizes a patient-centered approach, and not just one issue is treated. The whole person as well as family members are evaluated to see if there are other issues that should be addressed to improve quality of life.
“There are tons of services we provide,” Lloyd says. “We have a whole-health approach to health care. We want to know not just what is bothering a patient that day, but what is going on that might be the cause. The vulnerable populations we service might be struggling with keeping a job or have issues related to being a veteran. They may have other illnesses causing the problem they came in for. Perhaps they have diabetes. Maybe they have recently been kicked out of their apartment.”
This integrated approach has led to the development of several programs. Aspire can assist in providing housing for its clients through Section 8 apartment housing or shelter placements. Through the federal program Ticket to Work, Aspire aids patients in finding employment. It has supportive services for all ages of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. In addition, it helps patients address infectious disease issues associated with HIV and hepatitis. Telehealth visits are available, in addition to other programs.
In the past decade the Aspire Indiana Health team became aware that some communities were health care deserts. Boone County caught its attention five years ago, and it responded to the need. After purchasing its Lebanon building, it renovated and refurbished it. At the time, that portion of the county was very rural and access to affordable health care was lacking. Today, it is usually possible to be seen on the same day a patient contacts the facility.
“Aspire Indiana Health is an interesting and unique organization,” Lloyd says. “It does so many things that operate below the horizon of the average person. We are the unicorn within the health care space. By continually adding to our programs where we see a need, we are a gap filler.”
Aspire Indiana Health is located at 1600 West Main Street in Lebanon. To schedule an appointment or for after-hours concerns, call 877-574-1254. Also visit aspireindiana.org for more info.
