Fred Brown Recovery Services

What Fred Brown Recovery Services does

Fred Brown Recovery Services is a California-licensed, CARF-accredited nonprofit substance use disorder treatment organization founded in 1983 in San Pedro, California by Vietnam veterans Fred Brown and Al Ahl, both graduates of earlier recovery programs. The organization delivers a 12-step-based, evidence-aligned treatment program (consistent with NIDA guidelines) across the full continuum of care: residential treatment at ASAM Levels 3.1, 3.3, and 3.5 organized in a four-phase structure designed for 90-day completion; outpatient services at ASAM Levels 2.1 and 1.0 with flexible scheduling; sober living and recovery bridge housing across multiple homes in San Pedro and Torrance; and specialized programs including AB 109 housing (via HealthRight360 contract with LA County Probation), CDCR/STOP re-entry services, Drug Medi-Cal, Employment Preparation Training, and a weekly alumni livestream. The clinical team includes a Medical Director (Dr. Richard S. Merrick, MD, DFASAM, ABAM), LCSWs, and certified SUD counselors, supported by 20 professional staff and 10 resident volunteers, with broader staffing in the 101-250 range.

The business model blends public funding, insurance reimbursement, and philanthropy with no disclosed pricing to individuals. Core revenue streams include Medi-Cal and commercial insurance reimbursements (in-network with CIGNA Behavioral Health, Beacon Health Options, Bluecross, Anthem, HealthNet, and LA Care), government contracts from the LA County Department of Public Health (SAPC), CDCR Division of Rehabilitative Programs, and HealthRight360 for AB 109 case management, plus charitable contributions from individuals, the McMillen Family Foundation, Boeing, and Albertsons Companies Foundation (Nourishing Neighbors). Patient acquisition is referral-driven through LA County Probation, healthcare providers, and parole/deputy probation officers, supported by an in-house alumni network, YouTube content, social media, and community events. Operations remain concentrated in the LA County South Bay region (San Pedro and Torrance), with a Proposition 1-funded expansion plan to convert the Ocean View Assisted Living facility into a 106-bed recovery center by 2030.

Name

Fred Brown Recovery Services

Legal name

Fred Brown Recovery Services

Website

https://fredbrown.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Fred Brown Recovery Services is a California-licensed, CARF-accredited nonprofit providing 12-step-based substance use disorder treatment across residential, outpatient, and sober living programs in the LA County South Bay, serving adults, justice-involved clients, veterans, and Medi-Cal beneficiaries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Addiction Treatment Services

NAICS

Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (623220), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Residential Substance Use Rehabilitation (Inpatient Rehab) (HLAFACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outpatient Substance Use Treatment Programs (IOP/PHP/OP) (HLAFACAF), Peer Support, Recovery Coaching & Sober Living Services (HLAFACAN), Substance Use Disorder Prevention & Recovery Services (BPAGACAE)

Keywords

• Substance use disorder treatment
• Residential addiction recovery
• Outpatient recovery services
• Sober living housing
• 12-step recovery program

Headquarters

HQ city

San Pedro

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Insurance Reimbursement: Revenue from Medi-Cal certification and network relationships with major health insurance providers including CIGNA Behavioral Health, Beacon Health Options, Bluecross, Anthem, HealthNet, and LA Care. Works with most major PPO insurance plans.
2. Government Contracts: Funding from County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health for substance abuse prevention and control services, AB 109 housing program through HealthRight360 contract, and CDCR/STOP program funding
3. Donations and Charitable Support: Non-profit donations from individuals, foundations including McMillen Family Foundation, and corporate giving programs such as Boeing. Albertsons Nourishing Neighbors program raised $15,024 for food services.
4. Merchandise Sales: Online merchandise store selling branded apparel and commemorative items including 40th anniversary merchandise, with proceeds supporting non-profit operations

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Fred Brown Recovery Services provides a 12-step based, evidence-based substance use disorder treatment continuum for adult men and women. Core offerings include a state-licensed four-phase Residential Treatment Program (90 days, ASAM 3.1/3.3/3.5), flexible Outpatient Services (ASAM 2.1/1.0), and Sober Living recovery housing in San Pedro and Torrance. Specialized programs serve Medi-Cal recipients, veterans, AB109 post-release clients, and CDCR/STOP participants through partnerships with LA County Public Health, HealthRight360, CDCR, and major insurance networks.

Product overview

Fred Brown Recovery Services operates as a nonprofit alcohol and drug treatment organization offering a comprehensive continuum of care. The core portfolio consists of three primary programs: Residential Treatment (state-licensed, 4-phase evidence-based 12-step program), Outpatient Services (flexible scheduling with group and individual therapy), and Sober Living (recovery housing with multiple locations). These are supported by specialized add-on programs including Employment Preparation Training, Drug Medi-Cal certification, AB109 Housing for post-release clients, CDCR/STOP Program for California inmates, Recovery Bridge Housing for homeless clients, and Alumni Livestream Meetings for ongoing community support. The organization targets adult men and women with substance use disorders, serving both voluntary clients and those under legal supervision.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Treatment Program A state-licensed, evidence-based 12-step residential substance use disorder treatment program offering four phases of treatment designed to occur within 90 days, with room and board, 24/7 care, drug and alcohol testing, and ASAM 3.1, 3.3, 3.5 levels of care for adult men and women.
• Outpatient Services State-certified evidence-based outpatient treatment with flexible morning, afternoon, and evening schedules, including group counseling, individual therapy, case management, patient education, and ASAM 2.1, 1.0 levels with Recovery Support Services.
• Sober Living (Recovery Housing) Clean, comfortable sober living homes offering recovery bridge housing, transitional housing, and AB109 housing in San Pedro and Torrance locations with on-site staff, substance abuse testing, furnished homes, and access to outpatient programs.
• Alumni Livestream Meetings Weekly livestream alumni meetings featuring speakers sharing recovery experiences, an archived speaker library, and an ongoing peer support community for program graduates.
• Employment Preparation Training (EPT) Program helping clients prepare for workforce entry including application completion, resume preparation, interview techniques, work ethics training, dress for success, clothing assistance, job placement assistance, and ongoing evaluation and support.
• Drug Medi-Cal Program Drug Medi-Cal certified program for Medi-Cal eligible Los Angeles residents with substance use disorder, offering coverage for treatment services after completing ASAM review and meeting medical necessity criteria.
• AB109 Housing Program AB109 approved housing facility serving clients under Post Release Community Supervision and Mandatory Supervision with enhanced strength-based case management, housing, employment, vocational rehabilitation, transportation, and other community re-entry services.
• CDCR/STOP Program Specialized Treatment for Optimized Programming (STOP) providing comprehensive evidence-based programs to screened non-violent drug offenders in their first year of release, including SUD treatment, detox, counseling, life skills, and sober living.
• Recovery Bridge Housing Emergency shelter housing option for Medi-Cal eligible clients funded by Los Angeles County, designed to connect clients to stable housing while receiving outpatient or intensive outpatient treatment at LA County funded programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Treatment completion designed to occur within 90 days
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health (SAPC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary regulatory and funding partner. Facilities are regulated by the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health, Substance Abuse Prevention and Control (SAPC). Receives funding and programmatic support for substance abuse prevention and control services throughout LA County.
• California Department of Health Care ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState licensing authority for substance use disorder treatment programs. Provides Drug Medi-Cal certification enabling Medi-Cal covered treatment services. Regulates and certifies treatment facilities.
• CIGNA Behavioral Health and Value OptionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIn-network insurance provider for behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment services. Clients with CIGNA coverage can access Fred Brown treatment with in-network benefits.
• Beacon Health OptionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIn-network behavioral health managed care organization providing coverage for substance use disorder treatment services at Fred Brown facilities.
• BluecrosscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor health insurance provider with in-network coverage for Fred Brown Recovery Services substance abuse treatment programs.
• AnthemcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor health insurance provider with in-network coverage for Fred Brown Recovery Services substance abuse treatment programs.
• HealthNetcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCalifornia-based health plan with in-network substance use disorder treatment coverage at Fred Brown facilities.
• LA CarecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLos Angeles County's largest public plan with in-network coverage for Fred Brown Recovery Services treatment programs for Medi-Cal members.
• HealthRight360coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContract partner for AB 109 program providing enhanced case management services in collaboration with Deputy Probation Officers. HealthRight360 funding supports room, board, and re-entry services for probationers and parolees at Fred Brown facilities.
• Los Angeles Regional Food BanksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing agency partnership providing food distribution services to Fred Brown residents. Fred Brown named Los Angeles Regional Food Bank Agency of the Month recognizing successful partnership.
• California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP)supportingOthersProfessional membership organization (formerly CAADAC) representing addiction treatment professionals. Fred Brown staff maintain professional membership and adhere to CCAPP standards.
• Los Angeles County Sober Living CoalitionsupportingOthersCoalition of sober living providers promoting standards and best practices. Fred Brown exceeds all Sober Living Network Standards.
• San Pedro Chamber of CommercesupportingOthersLocal business chamber membership supporting San Pedro community engagement and economic development.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Phoenix House: National nonprofit operating residential and outpatient substance use treatment programs for adolescents and adults. Comparable evidence-based, multi-modality nonprofit SUD provider, though with broader geographic reach than Fred Brown.
• Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation: Nationally recognized nonprofit operating residential, outpatient, and sober living SUD programs across multiple states. Comparable 12-step-rooted continuum of care and CARF-accredited nonprofit model, though at much larger geographic scale than Fred Brown.
• BAART Programs (BayMark Health Services): National network of outpatient opioid use disorder treatment clinics offering MAT and counseling. Comparable outpatient SUD modality and public-payer focus, though part of larger BayMark portfolio rather than an independent nonprofit.

Direct peers

• Tarzana Treatment Centers: LA County nonprofit offering residential, outpatient, and detox SUD treatment as well as co-occurring mental health services. Comparable multi-modality, multi-county nonprofit provider with similar state licensing and ASAM leveled care.
• CLEANSLATE Centers: Multi-state outpatient addiction treatment provider offering medication-assisted treatment, counseling, and case management. Comparable outpatient SUD focus and in-network insurance model, but predominantly outpatient rather than residential.
• Behavioral Health Services: Long-standing LA County nonprofit providing substance use treatment, mental health, and primary care services including residential and outpatient programs. Directly comparable CARF-accredited, Medi-Cal-certified SUD provider operating in the same geography.
• HealthRight360: Large LA-based nonprofit providing residential and outpatient SUD treatment, mental health, and re-entry services. Direct peer and active contract partner of Fred Brown for AB109 case management, sharing the same Southern California public-payer ecosystem.
• Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services: LA-based nonprofit providing mental health and substance use disorder treatment including outpatient and residential services. Comparable Southern California nonprofit, Medi-Cal certified, and CARF-accredited behavioral health provider.

Emerging players

• BrightView Health: Outpatient addiction treatment provider with locations across multiple states, focused on medication-assisted treatment and counseling. Comparable outpatient SUD modality and Medicaid/insurance payer mix, though without Fred Brown's residential and sober living components.

Regional players

• Granite Wellness Centers: California-based nonprofit offering residential, outpatient, and sober living SUD treatment with CARF accreditation. Comparable multi-modality nonprofit SUD continuum, though serving Northern California rather than LA County.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@FredBrownRS
• Facebookfacebook.com/fredbrownrecovery
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fred-brown-recovery-services

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Fred Brown Recovery Services