NORTHAMPTON, Mass., June 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- CleanSlate Centers announced that former Rhode Island Representative Patrick J Kennedy has accepted a position on the company's board of directors. Founded in response to the growing opioid epidemic facing the country, CleanSlate Centers is a collection of outpatient addiction treatment centers providing compassionate, effective, medication assisted treatment utilizing buprenorphine (Suboxone) and naltrexone (Vivitrol.)

"I joined CleanSlate Centers because of their commitment to delivering the highest quality, evidence-based care," said Kennedy. "With rates of opioid abuse skyrocketing, CleanSlate has an increasingly critical role to play in treating addiction."

Patrick J Kennedy has dedicated his post-congressional career to securing the advances promised in the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) and other laws he supported while in office through the establishment of The Kennedy Forum. The mission of the Kennedy Forum is to fully implement the 2008 parity law and develop a shared vision of mental health and addiction treatment as an integral part of our nation's health care system and social fabric.

"CleanSlate could not have asked for a more outstanding public servant to help us achieve our vision," said CleanSlate President and CEO Amanda Wilson. "Patrick Kennedy's values, as well as the mission of the Kennedy Forum, could not be more in line with our own."  

CleanSlate is now embarking on a strategic plan of expansion to bring their treatment program to other regions of the country impacted by the opioid epidemic. In his new role on CleanSlate's board, the former representative will serve as a key advisor as CleanSlate seeks to establish new treatment centers and increase access to quality, effective treatment and care into locations with demonstrated need.

Patrick J Kennedy is an outstanding addition to CleanSlate's highly experienced leadership team, including CleanSlate's CMO and President Elect of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Dr. Kelly J. Clark, and Board Member Diane M. Daych of Apple Tree Partners – CleanSlate's lead venture capital investor.

About CleanSlate Centers

CleanSlate Centers was founded in 2009 in response to the growing opioid epidemic facing the country. A collection of outpatient addiction treatment centers, CleanSlate provides compassionate, effective, medication assisted treatment and related therapies for patients who have addiction and associated disorders using the highest quality, evidence based practices.

In recognition of their innovation and effectiveness, CleanSlate's treatment programs received the inaugural 2012 Science and Service Award for Office-based Opioid Treatment by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA.)

In 2014 CleanSlate partnered with Apple Tree Partners, a growth equity fund, to help expand efforts geographically and increase access to care.

CleanSlate's compassionate approach to care has resulted in an annual retention rate 3 times higher than the national average. CleanSlate's proven model of individualized care gives patients the tools and support they need to achieve long-term success.

About Apple Tree Partners

Apple Tree Partners (ATP) is a leading venture capital and growth equity firm dedicated to building healthcare businesses. ATP has deep sector expertise across healthcare services, pharmaceuticals, biotech, and medtech.

Founded in 1999, ATP has a well-known history of successfully partnering with management teams and taking the long view as a matter of principle for value creation. ATP raised its fourth fund in 2012 totaling $1.5 billion and is actively funding healthcare innovation.

SOURCE CleanSlate Centers