Fred and Clara Eckert Foundation For Children

Fred and Clara Eckert Foundation offers residential treatment and outpatient programs tailored to adolescents and young adults working through substance use disorder in northwestern North Dakota. Residential treatment at the foundation means 24-hour access to clinical staff and a full-immersion recovery environment — appropriate for young people who need consistent support as they build the foundation for lasting sobriety. For those who are ready to take on more independence or who are stepping down from a more intensive level of care, the outpatient program provides ongoing structure while allowing life outside the facility to continue.

What distinguishes this center from a general adult treatment program is the age-specific focus. Adolescents and young adults face recovery challenges — social pressures, family dynamics, educational disruption, identity development — that differ meaningfully from those of older adults. A program built around this population, with staff oriented toward youth recovery, reflects a different kind of clinical emphasis than a facility that simply accepts young clients alongside adults.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the confirmed clinical approach at Fred and Clara Eckert Foundation. CBT helps young people in recovery examine the connections between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors — and develop practical strategies to interrupt the patterns that fuel substance use. For adolescents and young adults in particular, building these cognitive and behavioral skills during treatment can create a durable framework that supports sobriety through the transitions and pressures that come with this stage of life.

The foundation's aftercare model is oriented toward long-term recovery maintenance, not just discharge planning. That distinction matters for families who are thinking beyond the initial treatment episode and want to know whether a recovery center will remain a resource as a young person re-enters daily life. The center operates around the clock every day of the week, meaning support is not limited to standard business hours.

Fred and Clara Eckert Foundation accepts Medicaid, private insurance, state insurance, and self-pay, covering a broad range of financial situations for families in the Williston area. For young people who do not have Medicaid or third-party insurance coverage, the foundation notes that the Substance Use Disorder Voucher — available through the Behavioral Health Division of the North Dakota Department of Human Services — may provide another pathway to accessing residential or outpatient treatment.

Cost and insurance coverage are real barriers for many families seeking addiction treatment for a young person. The range of accepted payment options at Eckert Foundation, including the state voucher program, reflects an effort to keep the door open for youth who need residential or outpatient substance abuse treatment regardless of their insurance situation. Families are encouraged to call (701) 572-6181 or email [email protected] to discuss specific payment options and program availability.

The foundation is led by Facility Administrator John L. Harper and Clinical Director and Chief Operating Officer Dr. Leah Hoffman, with program-level leadership from Program Director Chelsea Christie. The clinical team includes Frank Reck, Jr., a Licensed Addiction Counselor, and Ginger H., a Licensed Mental Health Counselor — both relevant credentials for a facility working with young people navigating substance use disorder. Social service support is provided by Carly Collings, a Social Service Professional, reflecting the foundation's recognition that recovery for youth often involves navigating family, school, and community systems alongside clinical treatment.

Operational and administrative continuity is supported by HR Coordinator Shelli Patch, Office and Marketing Manager Victoria Bone, Direct Care Administrator Bree Strickland, Foundation Representative Janah Young, and Director of Program Revenue and Clinical Support Analyst Magda Castillo. The breadth of this team reflects a recovery center with structured administrative and clinical infrastructure rather than a minimal-staffing operation.