(APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz. – Oct. 21, 2022) – Christine Stevens, Axiom Care CEO, knows first-hand the importance of getting the help you need when trying to kick a drug addiction. “I was one of the lucky ones and got into treatment and was able to turn my life around,” said Stevens, at the recent groundbreaking of the expansion of the Ocotillo Community Campus, an Arizona-based addiction treatment and medical detox center, located at 150 N. Ocotillo Drive, Apache Junction, AZ.

And it is why she is eager to begin construction on the center which will feature 24 detox units and 36 in-recovery treatment rooms, as well as outpatient services and activities in addition to the 24 detox recovery units and outpatient operations currently housed on the campus.

Joining Stevens at the event were Apache Junction Mayor Chip Wilson, Christie MacMurray, Adult System of Care Administrator with Mercy Care, Cindy Stotler, Deputy Director at the Arizona Department Housing, Vern Johnson, Axiom Care owner and Jesse Cruz, a graduate of Axiom Care, currently in recovery.

According to MacMurray, people working toward recovery often encounter barriers to care and services that often get in the way, such as transportation, treatment sites not conveniently located or safe, accessible transitional housing.”

“The Ocotillo Community Campus will reduce or eliminate those barriers. That’s a critically important piece for people getting started on their path to recovery. And it’s one we’re proud to support through our relationship with Axiom Healthcare,” said MacMurray.

On October 1, Mercy Care expanded its services to all of Pinal County, in addition to Gila and Maricopa Counties, as part of its new AHCCCS Complete Care-Regional Behavioral Health Agreement (ACC-RBHA) contract.

According to Vern Johnson, construction of this larger facility means Ocotillo is a true ‘recovery campus,’ with an emphasis on a continuum of care that has been proven to be beneficial for patients in recovery. In addition to inpatient and outpatient services, the new facility will include a gym, rec room and group therapy meeting rooms.

Along with the construction of the new building, a remodel of a third building will allow for urgent care and administrative office space. The kitchen facilities located in the Phase I property will serve the entire campus, and dining rooms will accommodate each level of care.

The general contractor for this $5m project is Equi-Team, with architectural design services provided by design point architects. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

“The Ocotillo Community Campus is predicated on the belief that effective and sustained recovery happens when supportive wrap-around services through all levels of care are delivered in a co-located site,” said Stevens. “Although the first-of-its-kind in Pinal County, this campus will provide service to clients from throughout the Greater Phoenix area.”

About Axiom Care: Founded in 2012, Axiom Care is a vibrant, locally owned, and high growth substance abuse treatment and recovery housing provider with locations in Maricopa County and Pinal County, Arizona. Primarily serving low-income and/or justice-involved individuals who are seeking to change their life for the better. We achieve this by offering multiple levels of care along with medical services, evidence-based professional counseling, case management, housing assistance, employment assistance, and more. Learn more at: https://axiomcareofaz.com/.

About Mercy Care: Mercy Care is a not-for-profit Medicaid managed-care health plan, serving AHCCCS members in Arizona since 1985. Mercy Care is a local company sponsored by Dignity Health and Ascension Health. Mercy Care provides access to physical and behavioral health care services for Medicaid-eligible families, children, seniors, and individuals with developmental/cognitive disabilities. Learn more at http://www.MercyCareAZ.org.