What Set Free Alaska does

Set Free Alaska is a 501(c)(3) Christian nonprofit behavioral health organization founded in 2008 by Philip Licht and Dr. Ryan Ray and headquartered in Wasilla, Alaska. The organization operates a fully integrated, multi-generational continuum of substance use and mental health care built around a proprietary "mind-body-spirit" clinical model that fuses faith-based principles with ASAM-aligned, evidence-based therapies including EMDR and Trauma-Informed Care. Its service platform spans clinical assessment, outpatient treatment at ASAM levels 1.0/2.1/2.5, gender-segregated residential treatment (Compass for men, Valley Oaks for women — each 16-bed), a recovery residence (Heritage House), 24/7 crisis residential stabilization (Refuge — first of its kind in Alaska), children and family behavioral health (Haven), peer support, an in-house medical clinic, and Department of Corrections programs (RSAT, IOPSAT, MAT-Re-Entry, community-based probation counseling).

Set Free Alaska monetizes through a hybrid nonprofit revenue stack: treatment service fees billed to Medicaid, commercial insurance, and self-pay (with sliding-scale fees tied to annual household income and a 20% prompt-pay discount), multi-year government contracts (notably with the Alaska Department of Corrections), foundation and state grants (Mat-Su Health Foundation, Alaska DHSS, Alaska Mental Health Trust, United Way, ARPA ACF), individual/philanthropic donations (including the Freedom Fighters $49/month recurring program and Frequency of Hope impact campaign), and ancillary facility rentals through the Bryce Ray Community Center. Customer segments include justice-involved adults, parents with children under 10 (a differentiated offering allowing family co-residence), adults in crisis, and Alaska Native and rural communities reached via telehealth across Mat-Su, Homer, Ketchikan, Kenai, and Soldotna. Distribution is dominated by a referral-based GTM motion sourced from therapeutic courts, OCS, ASAP, Adult Probation, and Federal Probation, supplemented by faith-community outreach and a documentary-driven brand campaign.

The organization has scaled rapidly, growing clients served from 1,200 (2021) to 2,530 (2024) and headcount from 77 (2020) to 118 plus 3 interns (2024), and serves 60+ Alaska communities. It is currently executing a material capacity expansion on the Bogard campus with a 22,000 sq. ft. new facility partially funded by a $5M federal grant secured in 2024. Regulatory positioning is strong, with CARF International accreditation across multiple programs, Alaska Division of Behavioral Health certification, and HIPAA/42 CFR Part 2 compliance.

Name

Set Free Alaska

Legal name

Set Free Alaska Inc.

Website

https://setfreealaska.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Set Free Alaska is a 501(c)(3) Christian nonprofit in Wasilla, Alaska that delivers a faith-based, mind-body-spirit continuum of substance use and mental health treatment — outpatient, residential, crisis, recovery housing, and DOC programs — to Alaskans across 60+ communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse Treatment Services

NAICS

Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (623220), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services (BPAGAEAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Behavioral Health–Capable Assisted Living (Mental Health/SUD Support) (HLADABAI)

Keywords

• Substance abuse treatment
• Residential treatment programs
• Behavioral health services
• Crisis stabilization services
• Faith-based recovery programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Wasilla

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Treatment Services Revenue: Revenue from providing substance abuse treatment and mental health services including outpatient, residential, crisis stabilization, and recovery residence programs. Billed to commercial insurance, Medicaid, or self-pay clients.
2. Government Contracts: Contracts with Department of Corrections for RSAT, IOPSAT, and re-entry coordination services. Also contracts for community-based substance abuse counseling within probation offices.
3. Grants and Foundation Funding: Funding from State of Alaska DHSS, Mat-Su Health Foundation, Alaska Mental Health Trust, United Way, and other grant programs for specific program development and operations.
4. Donations and Philanthropy: General donations, Freedom Fighters monthly giving program, treatment book sponsorships, client Christmas program, planned giving, and legacy gifts.
5. Facility Rentals: Rental of gymnasium (7172 sq ft), conference rooms (276 sq ft each), and kitchen space to community organizations for events, trainings, and meetings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Set Free Alaska is a nonprofit Christian treatment organization delivering substance abuse and mental health services through multiple programs, including men's residential treatment (Compass), women's residential treatment (Valley Oaks), recovery residence (Heritage House), children and family services (Haven), crisis stabilization (Refuge), outpatient services, assessment, peer support, and Alaska Department of Corrections programs. Services are delivered in Wasilla, Alaska, with sliding-scale fees, Medicaid, and commercial insurance accepted.

Product overview

Set Free Alaska is a Christian treatment center offering a comprehensive, multi-level substance abuse and mental health treatment system. The organization operates a unified platform of integrated programs including residential treatment (Compass for men, Valley Oaks for women), recovery residence housing (Heritage House), crisis stabilization (Refuge), outpatient services (ASAM levels 1.0, 2.1, and 2.5), children and family services (Haven), peer support, and Department of Corrections programs. The programs utilize a 'mind-body-spirit' approach that combines clinical therapeutic techniques with spiritual principles. Services are delivered through facilities in Mat-Su (Wasilla), Homer, Kenai-Soldotna, and Ketchikan, with telehealth options available. A sliding fee scale and various payment options (Medicaid, commercial insurance, self-pay) make services accessible.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Compass: Men's Residential Treatment Center located in Homer, Alaska offering 16-bed high-intensity residential treatment with programs for men and their children under 10 years of age.
• Valley Oaks
• Heritage House
• Haven
• Refuge
• Bryce Ray Community Center

Products and services

• Compass Men's Residential Program Residential substance abuse and behavioral health treatment program for men, delivered as part of Set Free Alaska's continuum of faith-based recovery services.
• Valley Oaks Women's Residential Program Residential substance abuse and behavioral health treatment program for women, part of Set Free Alaska's faith-based recovery continuum.
• Heritage House Recovery Residence Recovery residence providing sober living housing as a step-down or standalone support for individuals in recovery from substance abuse.
• Haven Children and Family Services Program serving children and families affected by substance abuse and behavioral health issues, extending Set Free Alaska's services beyond the primary adult client.
• Refuge Crisis Stabilization Crisis stabilization services providing short-term intervention for individuals experiencing acute behavioral health or substance-related crises.
• Assessment Services Clinical assessment services to evaluate substance abuse and mental health needs and determine appropriate level of care within Set Free Alaska's programs.
• Outpatient Services Outpatient substance abuse and mental health treatment for clients who do not require residential care, provided by Set Free Alaska.
• Peer Support Program Peer-led recovery support services leveraging lived experience to assist clients in substance abuse and behavioral health recovery.
• Alaska Department of Corrections (DOC) Programs Substance abuse and behavioral health treatment programs delivered under contract with the Alaska Department of Corrections for justice-involved individuals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 88% of clients reported being treated with respect
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Drug Endangered Children (DEC) Multidisciplinary TeamcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022MOU with 12+ disciplines to create first MDT in Alaska for coordinated response to children and families affected by substance abuse disorders.
• Alaska Department of CorrectionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContracts for RSAT (40-bed residential), IOPSAT, community-based substance abuse counseling, re-entry coordination, and MAT-Re-Entry services at Palmer Correctional Center and Mat-Su Pre-Trial.
• Christopher Walden House of Hope (CWHOH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner operating the Heritage House recovery residence and crisis stabilization programs on CWHOH property in Palmer. Founded by Dar Walden.
• ASAP (Alcohol Safety Action Program)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorState-funded referral agency for substance abuse assessments and treatment referrals. Active in Mat-Su, Kenai, Anchorage, and Fairbanks.
• Office of Children's Services (OCS)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorState child welfare agency providing referrals for family treatment and reunification services. Partner in DEC multidisciplinary team.
• Therapeutic Courts / Wellness CourtcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCourt-supervised treatment programs providing referrals for participants requiring substance abuse treatment. Partnership with Palmer Wellness Court.
• Alaska AirlinesminorOthersCorporate sponsor supporting Set Free Alaska programs.
• Family Infants and Toddlers Court (FIT Court)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) and other services for family reunification through FIT court process.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves15 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Pavillon Treatment Center: Faith-informed residential and outpatient addiction treatment provider serving adults with co-occurring disorders. Comparable to Set Free Alaska in spiritual/clinical integration model, residential recovery focus, and emphasis on trauma-informed care for adults with SUD and co-occurring mental health conditions.

Direct peers

• Cenikor Foundation: National nonprofit operating residential and outpatient substance use treatment programs, including significant Department of Corrections and court-referred contracts. Directly comparable to Set Free Alaska in DOC-focused service delivery, residential treatment model, and reliance on government funding for justice-involved populations.
• Akeela, Inc. Anchorage-based nonprofit providing substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and recovery housing across Alaska. Most direct geographic peer to Set Free Alaska, operating outpatient, residential, and supportive housing programs for similar populations within the same state.
• Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers: Faith-based, nonprofit residential and outpatient substance abuse recovery programs serving low-income and justice-involved adults nationwide. Comparable to Set Free Alaska in mission, spiritual-recovery orientation, work-therapy model, and reliance on donations and government contracts to fund residential recovery services.

Broad incumbents

• CleanSlate Centers: Multi-state outpatient addiction treatment provider focused on medication-assisted treatment for opioid and alcohol use disorders. Comparable to Set Free Alaska's outpatient ASAM 1.0–2.5 program as a Medicaid-accepting outpatient SUD provider, though operating at substantially larger geographic scale.
• Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation: Large nonprofit addiction treatment provider offering residential, outpatient, and family programs across the U.S. Comparable to Set Free Alaska because it operates an integrated continuum of SUD and co-occurring mental health treatment, including faith-informed programming, at significantly greater scale and geographic breadth.
• Volunteers of America National Services: Large national nonprofit providing behavioral health, housing, and recovery services across multiple states, including residential SUD treatment and re-entry programming. Comparable to Set Free Alaska as a faith-informed, federally contracted nonprofit with recovery residence and corrections-related programming.

Regional players

• Cook Inlet Tribal Council: Anchorage-based Alaska tribal nonprofit providing behavioral health, recovery, and re-entry services to Alaska Native and Alaska-based populations. Comparable to Set Free Alaska as a regional Alaska provider operating residential treatment, recovery housing, and workforce re-entry programs under state and federal contracts.
• Fairbanks Native Association: Interior Alaska nonprofit providing behavioral health, recovery housing, and re-entry services for Alaska Native and rural populations. Comparable to Set Free Alaska as an Alaska-based regional provider of residential and outpatient SUD treatment serving justice-involved and underserved clients.
• Alaska Behavioral Health: Alaska-based nonprofit providing outpatient mental health, substance use, and crisis services across Anchorage and the Mat-Su region. Comparable to Set Free Alaska as a regional behavioral health provider serving overlapping populations and contracting with similar Alaska state agencies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SetFreeAlaska
• Facebookfacebook.com/SetFreeAlaska
• Instagraminstagram.com/setfreealaska
• Xx.com/SetFreeAlaska
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/set-free-alaska-inc-

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Set Free Alaska