Design for Change
Design for Change Recovery is a JCAHO-accredited, founder-owned drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Lancaster, California, delivering an eight-stage continuum of care (detox through aftercare) to individuals and families across 24 California cities, reimbursed primarily through major in-network insurance carriers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersLancaster, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Design for Change does
Design for Change Recovery is a privately held, for-profit drug and alcohol rehabilitation center founded in 2004 in Lancaster, California, by Joseph Hunter. The company operates as a full-service addiction treatment facility delivering an eight-stage continuum of care that spans intervention, medically supervised detox, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), residential treatment, partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), outpatient programs, and aftercare. Treatment is delivered through evidence-based modalities (CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, MAT) integrated with 12-step philosophy and holistic therapies including music, art, bio-sound, mindfulness, and experiential therapy. The facility is JCAHO-accredited, holds California state license #190795AP, and maintains HIPAA compliance.
The company generates revenue primarily through insurance reimbursement across an in-network roster of 10+ major carriers (Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, Kaiser Permanente, Humana, Anthem, Magellan, TRICARE, Carelon) supplemented by direct treatment fees ranging approximately $5,000–$20,000 per 30-day program and ancillary services including family therapy workshops held roughly every six weeks and sober living referrals. Patient acquisition runs through a phone-based direct-admissions funnel with toll-free lines and insurance verification, supported by SEO-driven location pages covering 24 California cities and an extensive content-marketing blog.
Beyond the core adult substance use disorder population, the company operates specialized programs for first responders, gender-specific male and female inpatient tracks, dual-diagnosis (co-occurring mental health) treatment, and structured family involvement. Operations are anchored at Lancaster headquarters with service-area coverage across Southern and Central California. The company has no disclosed external equity, no funding rounds, and no M&A history; it operates as an independent, founder-led business with 11–50 employees.
Design for Change firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Design for Change
- Legal name
- Design for Change Recovery
- Website
- https://designforchangerecovery.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Design for Change Recovery is a JCAHO-accredited, founder-owned drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Lancaster, California, delivering an eight-stage continuum of care (detox through aftercare) to individuals and families across 24 California cities, reimbursed primarily through major in-network insurance carriers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Design for Change industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Behavioral Health and Addiction Treatment Services
- NAICS
- Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (62322), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)
- SIC
- Services-Skilled Nursing Care Facilities (8051), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Residential Substance Use Rehabilitation (Inpatient Rehab) (HLAFACAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services (BPAGAEAO), Peer Support, Recovery Coaching & Sober Living Services (HLAFACAN)
Keywords
Where Design for Change is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lancaster
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices25 records
Markets served
Design for Change business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Treatment Program Fees: Revenue from residential treatment, outpatient programs, detox, PHP, IOP, and aftercare services. Programs range from 7+ day detox to 30, 60, and 90-day residential programs with pricing approximately $5,000 to $20,000 for a 30-day program.
- Insurance Reimbursement: Billing through major insurance providers including Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, Kaiser Permanente, Magellan, TRICARE, and others. Accepts both in-network and out-of-network PPO and HMO policies.
- Family Therapy and Intervention Services: Additional services including family therapy workshops, intervention services, and specialized programs for first responders
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | 7+ Day Detox Program |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | 30-Day Residential Rehab |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | 60-Day Outpatient Program |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | 90-Day Drug Rehab |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Design for Change product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Design for Change Recovery is a licensed, JCAHO-accredited drug and alcohol rehabilitation center that delivers a full continuum of addiction treatment services across eight levels of care: intervention, detox, MAT, residential treatment, PHP, IOP, outpatient, and aftercare. Programs are offered in flexible durations (3-day, 7-day, 30-day, 60-day, 90-day) and combine evidence-based therapies (CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing) with holistic modalities, dual-diagnosis treatment, family therapy, gender-specific tracks, and a First Responder Wellness Program, all delivered from a Lancaster, California facility licensed by California DHCS (#190795AP).
Product overview
Design for Change is a full-service drug and alcohol rehabilitation center offering a comprehensive, tiered continuum of care. The facility provides personalized addiction treatment through multiple interconnected programs: starting with intervention services and medically supervised detox, progressing through residential treatment and partial hospitalization programs, then stepping down to intensive outpatient and standard outpatient services. Treatment includes evidence-based therapies (CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing), holistic approaches (art/music therapy, nutrition, mindfulness), medication-assisted treatment, family therapy, and extensive aftercare planning. The program offers flexible duration options ranging from short-term (3-90 days) and gender-specific tracks, all delivered by licensed, JCAHO-accredited staff in Lancaster, California.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Intervention Services Professional intervention services that help families plan and conduct supportive conversations with loved ones about seeking addiction treatment.
- Drug and Alcohol Detox Program Medically supervised detoxification services providing safe withdrawal management with 24/7 clinical support, including heroin detox and prescription drug detox options.
- Residential Treatment Program Live-in treatment program providing structured, immersive addiction recovery with daily therapy, 12-step integration, and comprehensive support away from daily triggers.
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) Intensive outpatient treatment requiring attendance five days per week for 6-8 hours daily, providing structured therapy without an overnight residential stay.
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) Structured treatment with 3-5 weekly sessions lasting 4-6 hours per day, offering more intensive support than standard outpatient care.
- Outpatient Drug Rehab Flexible treatment program allowing clients to attend therapy sessions while maintaining work, family, or daily responsibilities.
- Dual-Diagnosis Treatment Integrated treatment addressing both substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions simultaneously.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Evidence-based treatment combining FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat substance use disorders.
- Holistic Drug Rehab Whole-person treatment approach incorporating nutrition, music therapy, art therapy, meditation, mindfulness, fitness, and experiential therapies.
- Family Therapy Program Therapeutic program involving family members in recovery to repair relationships, improve communication, and strengthen support systems.
- Group and Individual Therapy One-on-one counseling sessions and peer group therapy providing personalized support and shared recovery experiences.
- Aftercare Services Post-treatment support including relapse prevention planning, alumni programs, sober living referrals, ongoing counseling, and 12-step meeting coordination.
- First Responder Wellness Program Specialized treatment program tailored for first responders (police, firefighters, EMTs) dealing with addiction and trauma-related issues.
- Short-Term Rehab (3-90 Day Programs) Flexible duration programs including 3-day, 5-day, 7-day, 10-day, 14-day, 21-day, 30-day, 60-day, and 90-day options to accommodate varying treatment needs.
- Gender-Specific Inpatient Programs (Male and Female) Gender-specific inpatient treatment programs providing tailored therapeutic approaches for male and female clients in separate settings.
- Sober Living Substance-free, structured residential environment with rules, curfews, and expectations for residents to work or actively seek employment during recovery transition.
Quantifiable outcome
- Approximately 40-60% of people relapse within the first month after leaving rehab
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Design for Change
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Design for Change technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Design for Change partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- AetnacoreIn-network insurance provider accepting Aetna health insurance plans for addiction treatment coverage. Admissions team verifies Aetna benefits before admission.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)coreIn-network provider accepting Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and HMO plans for detox, residential, outpatient, and aftercare services.
- CignacoreIn-network provider through Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth for substance use disorder treatment programs.
- Kaiser PermanentecoreInsurance provider accepting Kaiser Permanente plans for addiction treatment coverage.
- HumanacoreIn-network provider accepting Humana health insurance for addiction recovery services.
- Magellan HealthcoreBehavioral health insurance provider accepting Magellan plans for substance use treatment coverage.
- AnthemcoreIn-network insurance provider accepting Anthem Blue Cross plans for addiction treatment.
- TRICAREcoreMilitary health insurance provider accepting TRICARE and TriWest plans for addiction treatment services.
- Carelon Behavioral HealthcoreBehavioral health insurance provider (formerly Beacon Health Options) accepting Carelon plans for substance use treatment.
- The Joint CommissioncoreHealthcare accreditation organization providing Gold Seal of Approval through rigorous evaluation of facility, programs, staff, client care, and safety standards.
- California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)coreState regulatory agency licensing the facility (#190795AP) and ensuring compliance with California standards for substance use disorder treatment programs.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Design for Change competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation: One of the largest and most recognized addiction treatment providers in the U.S. with residential, outpatient, and recovery services nationwide. Comparable to DFC in offering full continuum of care and 12-step integration, but operates at vastly greater scale across multiple states.
- The Recovery Village: Multi-site addiction treatment provider with full continuum of care across multiple states. Comparable to DFC in clinical model (detox, residential, PHP, IOP, outpatient) and insurance-driven admissions, but operates at much larger scale.
- American Addiction Centers: Publicly traded multi-site addiction treatment operator with residential, detox, and outpatient programs. Comparable to DFC in service offering and insurance mix, though larger and operating across multiple U.S. states.
Direct peers
- Promises Treatment Centers: California-based residential and outpatient addiction treatment provider offering full continuum of care including detox, residential, PHP, IOP, and sober living. Directly comparable to DFC in services, insurance model, and California market focus.
- Cliffside Malibu: Luxury residential addiction treatment center in Malibu, California offering detox, residential, and outpatient services with holistic therapies. Comparable to DFC in clinical model and Southern California market, though at the higher end of the price band.
- Passages Malibu: California-based residential addiction treatment center with holistic, non-12-step orientation. Comparable to DFC in offering residential treatment and dual-diagnosis services, though differentiated by treatment philosophy and premium positioning.
- Asana Recovery: California-based outpatient and intensive outpatient addiction treatment provider. Comparable to DFC in treatment philosophy and California market focus, though predominantly outpatient rather than residential.
- Lake Arrowhead Recovery: California-based residential and outpatient addiction treatment center offering detox, residential, and IOP services. Comparable to DFC in clinical model, California geography, and insurance-driven admissions.
- The Canyon at Peace Park: California-based residential addiction treatment facility offering detox, residential, and outpatient programs with holistic therapies. Comparable to DFC in continuum of care and California-only footprint.
Regional players
- Morningside Recovery: Southern California-based addiction treatment provider offering residential, PHP, IOP, and outpatient services. Comparable to DFC in treatment model and Southern California service area, though operating at smaller scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Design for Change social profiles
Digital presenceDesign for Change compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Design for Change financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Design for Change leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Design for Change funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Design for Change M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Design for Change
What does Design for Change do?
Design for Change Recovery is a licensed, JCAHO-accredited drug and alcohol rehabilitation center that delivers a full continuum of addiction treatment services across eight levels of care: intervention, detox, MAT, residential treatment, PHP, IOP, outpatient, and aftercare. Programs are offered in flexible durations (3-day, 7-day, 30-day, 60-day, 90-day) and combine evidence-based therapies (CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing) with holistic modalities, dual-diagnosis treatment, family therapy, gender-specific tracks, and a First Responder Wellness Program, all delivered from a Lancaster, California facility licensed by California DHCS (#190795AP).
Is Design for Change a public or private company?
Design for Change is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Design for Change founded?
Design for Change was founded in 2004. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Design for Change based?
Design for Change is headquartered in Lancaster, United States, in the North America region.
How does Design for Change make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Treatment Program Fees are the primary driver. The others are insurance Reimbursement and family Therapy and Intervention Services.
Who are Design for Change's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, The Recovery Village and American Addiction Centers. Direct peers are Promises Treatment Centers, Cliffside Malibu, Passages Malibu, Asana Recovery, Lake Arrowhead Recovery and The Canyon at Peace Park. Morningside Recovery is listed as a regional player.
Does Design for Change have an API?
No public API is recorded for Design for Change.
What industry is Design for Change in?
Design for Change's product category is Behavioral Health and Addiction Treatment Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAFACAE, Residential Substance Use Rehabilitation (Inpatient Rehab), with a secondary code of BPAGAEAO, Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services. Its NAICS code is 62322 and its SIC code is 8051.