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Safe Refuge has been a loyal customer of Exym for several years. Founded in 1988, Safe Refuge Long Beach is located in the city of Long Beach, CA. Throughout the past three decades, they have made a significant impact on the Southern California community by assisting more than 20,000 individuals, both men and women, in their journey towards recovery.

About Safe Refuge 

Safe Refuge is a place where people who are struggling can come to discover a supportive and caring recovery community. They provide a comprehensive array of drug and alcohol treatment, recovery, and housing programs, matching every individual with the treatment program that best meets his or her needs. They take pride in their open arms approach, where people from diverse backgrounds can seek, and find, the help they need.

Safe Refuge's primary funding comes from government agencies designed to help those in need. Their treatment center is fully licensed and certified by the State of California. They also have national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for residential and outpatient treatment. This is community housing for those seeking drug and/or alcohol rehabilitation, including those with a criminal justice history.

They differ from many organizations you will encounter because of their specific, government-funded programs for the homeless, veterans, parolees, HIV/AIDS patients, single women and/or men with children and co-occurring disorders. Each professionally developed and implemented treatment plan is unique to that individual.

Their difference also comes from their family-oriented residential campus in Long Beach, California. Eleven houses and two apartment buildings are clustered together close to their treatment center, where residents obtain ongoing treatments that include group and/or individual counseling. They also offer alcohol- and drug-free housing for those who complete treatment and wish to spend more time in a Safe Refuge.

At Safe Refuge Long Beach, clients have the chance to regain the lives they may have lost due to substance abuse.

Who Safe Refuge Serves

Safe Refuge assists a wide range of underserved clients with a full spectrum of programs designed to help them rebuild their lives and move towards self-sufficiency. They provide affordable treatment to the Southern California community, including special programs for low-income and homeless individuals who are going through alcohol or substance use treatment, and recovery.

Treatment programs include:

  • Residential Treatment
  • Outpatient Treatment
  • Intensive Outpatient
  • Supportive Housing
  • Supportive Services
  • Aftercare Services

Safe Refuge’s holistic approach takes into account all the life challenges their clients may be facing. Their staff includes mental health professionals, certified drug and alcohol counselors, and certified domestic violence counselors. Their residential treatment facilities and programs are licensed and certified by the State of California and nationally accredited by CARF.

Safe-Refuge-Residential-Treatment

Programs at Safe Refuge Long Beach 

Residential Treatment

Residential treatment provides therapeutic activities in a home-like community setting. Residential treatment varies from 30 days to 180 days (or more, as needed). Treatment facilities and programs are licensed and certified by the State Department of Health Care Services, and nationally accredited by CARF. To qualify for the residential treatment program individuals must have a substance use disorder.

Services are offered to:

  • Those who have Medi-Cal.
  • Those applying for Medi-Cal while still accessing the residential treatment program
  • Veterans who are served through the Long Beach Veterans Administration Medical Center and Veterans referred through the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program
  • Those who private pay

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment services vary in intensity and duration. Safe Refuge Long Beach offers morning, afternoon, evening, and weekend programs. Their professional staff helps each client develop a treatment plan and problem list to fit his or her individual needs.

Outpatient programs include:

  • Relapse Prevention – Intended for those who want to remain drug-free and sober after treatment, Relapse Prevention requires 1½ to 3 hours per week.
  • Intensive Outpatient treatment – A more intensive program, requiring 7 days per week, 1½ to 3 hours per day.
  • Anger Management – Intended for those who need help in how to control their anger.

Some outpatient clients elect to live in Safe Refuge’s Community Housing, or Recovery Bridge Housing while they access supportive outpatient services at a nearby treatment campus. Safe Refuge’s outpatient treatment programs are certified by the State Department of Health Care Services and nationally accredited by CARF.

Supportive Housing

Affordable supportive housing is designed for people who complete primary treatment and want to live in an alcohol- and drug-free environment. Clients include low-income and homeless people, who are accommodated through a variety of special programs.Transitional housing generally encompasses six months to one year or more. Many people elect to remain in transitional housing for two or more years while they access supportive services.

Safe Refuge's facilities, located close to the treatment center, include one, two, and three-bedroom furnished apartments for men, women and families. Wheelchair and ADA-accessible apartments are available. Safe Refuge’s housing program is nationally accredited by CARF. 

Supportive Services

The treatment approach at Safe Refuge Long Beach is comprehensive and holistic. They offer a wide array of professional and supportive treatment and recovery services:

  • Counseling and Recovery Groups
  • Assessments and Treatment Planning
  • Care Coordination and Referrals
  • Vocational/Rehabilitation Services
  • Educational Activities
  • Recreational and Social Activities
  • Parenting/Family Services
  • HIV/Aids Services
  • 12-Step Meetings
  • Drug and Alcohol Testing Services

Aftercare Services

Individuals who complete Safe Refuge's treatment programs are eligible for up to one full year of supportive aftercare services, including relapse prevention, crisis counseling, on-the-job training, job placement assistance and housing search assistance. Their Alumni Group, which includes people who have completed primary treatment, hosts recreational and social events throughout the year and help newcomers adjust to the treatment setting.

Safe Refuge & Exym Behavioral Health EHR Software

During the challenging times of California's stay-at-home order in March 2020, Exym's software played a crucial role in supporting the important work of Safe Refuge. As the mental health community faced significant strain and stress, Safe Refuge was able to seamlessly continue providing services without any interruption, thanks to Exym.

"Exym gave us the ability to send our entire clinical staff home during Covid-19. We were able to continue all of our counseling, case management and groups through telehealth because of Exym."

-Jennifer Lundahl, Clinical Director at Safe Refuge

According to Jennifer, there are other features in Exym that really support the staff and the work they’re doing at Safe Refuge as well. For example, they particularly appreciate

“The ability to create our own note templates in order to keep current with CARF and funding updates and requirements. The ease of use, even for those staff who have minimal computer experience, no longer having to have paper charts, auditors can find everything with a click of the mouse and all notes can go through quality assurance before their final approval.”

Additionally, she mentioned that Exym plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of care provided by Safe Refuge. Improving client care is the ultimate objective for all mental health organizations, and we take pride in knowing that our software is instrumental in achieving that goal.

"Exym has helped provide better care for our clients by enabling quick access to client records, resulting in more efficient care. Exym provides us accurate and up to date information easily and quickly."

-Jennifer Lundahl, Clinical Director at Safe Refuge

Exym is a comprehensive EHR software solution designed specifically for behavioral health agencies. Trusted for 20+ years, our intuitive and customizable software empowers providers to improve client outcomes, manage revenue cycles, and increase agency efficiency. Exym allows you to spend more time on what matters most- the clients in your care.

Please visit our Residential Providers page to learn more about Exym's features for residential treatment centers, STRTPs, and group homes. Or, visit our page for Substance Use Providers to see how we help agencies manage substance use disorder treatment and care.

If you’d like to support Safe Refuge and the important work they’re doing in the community, CLICK HERE.

Jessica Carey
Post by Jessica Carey
May 30, 2023

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