Sunshine Community Health Center (SCHC) is a federally qualified health center that offers comprehensive health care to people living throughout the Upper Susitna Valley of Alaska. SCHC was founded in 1986 through a grassroots effort to bring the first basic health care option to this impoverished rural region. SCHC was originally located in the "Sunshine Community" area, a crossroads centered among the communities of Talkeetna, Willow and Trapper Creek. Its service area stretches nearly 160 miles along both sides of Alaska's George Parks Highway, from Willow north to Denali National Park, and into the bush communities west of the highway. Today SCHC has to locations to serve patients; On the Talkeetna Spur Rd. at mile 4.4 and 1 mile down Long Lake Rd. in Willow.

Sunshine Community Health Center, Inc., a federally qualified community health center, is a private non-profit corporation governed by a volunteer community board. It has two primary health care delivery sites strategically located in the Northern Susitna Valley of the Mat Su Borough.

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Services Offered

Behavioral Health - At SCHC we believe in providing a team approach to giving you the best care possible. Our Behavioral Health team has three Licensed Clinical Social Workers, a Behavioral Health Assistant, and a Case Manager. Our Behavioral Health team also provides integrated care with our Primary Care Providers to provide you with holistic, patient centered care.

Individual / Family / Couples - Therapy sessions revolve around your present or long standing needs. The Behavioral Health Specialists will help you to build upon your existing strengths while also exploring new tools for you to use. Individual, family, or couples counseling is available and our Behavioral Health Specialists work with people of all ages. We look forward to helping you live a happier life.

Integrated Care - Integrated care is a holistic, team approach to meeting the needs of the mind and the body. At Sunshine Community Health Center we address medical, behavioral, and substance abuse within the primary care setting. Integrated Care helps patients with multiple healthcare issues to have better healthcare outcomes, have a better experience, and to save money.

Office Based Opioid Treatment - The Office Based Opiate Treatment (OBOT) program that combines the use of the medication, Suboxone, an FDA approved medication for treatment of people with opiate dependence, with outpatient Behavioral Health treatment. This program helps people struggling with opiate addiction transition from a life of drug dependence to a life of recovery. Suboxone contains two types of medication, buprenorphine and Naloxone, which complement each other in detoxification and maintenance therapy. Maintenance therapy can continue as long as deemed medically necessary by the physician. Behavioral Health treatment consists of an assessment followed by group and individual counseling as agreed upon by the treatment team. The OBOT program at SCHC requires a commitment to abstinence from all substances, including nicotine, once a person is in the program. Support will be given to people who need assistance in stopping the use of substances other than opiates. In Phase I of the program, all group sessions are held at the Talkeetna clinic.

Addiction Recovery Treatment - This program is for all patients who have are struggling with their use/abuse of alcohol or other drugs. Although a patient may combine some form of medication assisted treatment (MAT) with their Behavioral Health treatment, this treatment program is separate from our OBOT program. Treatment options are based on the needs of the patient and may include individual, group, or family counseling. Our Behavioral Health Specialists are able to assist patients who are referred by the court or by the Office of Children's Service (OCS). Patients who are interested in attending the Addiction Recovery Group must speak with a Behavioral Health provider prior to the first group.

Domestic Violence Support - Sunshine Community Health Center can help people who have experienced domestic violence by addressing the emotional, logistical, and physical barriers to healing. Our Behavioral Health Specialists are equipped to provide a variety of therapeutic options to treat trauma, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as well as other emotional concerns. Financial help for those who experience violence may be available through the Families in Crisis Fund, which is funded by the Talkeetna Bachelor Society. In addition, the Behavioral Health team can provide assistance with accessing transportation, shelter, and other emergency needs. The Behavioral Health Team will also work with people to create a safety plan based on their current needs. If you are concerned that your relationship is unhealthy, please do not hesitate to contact the Sunshine Clinic and ask for the Behavioral Health Assistant.

Fees and Payment

A minimum copay is requested at the time of service. We accept cash, checks, major credit and debit cards. Office visit copay amounts are set by your insurance company. Private pay is welcome. Ask about our sliding scale program when you call for your appointment. We are also a nonprofit agency.

Services Offered To:
Adults
Couples

Payment:
Sliding Scale
Medicare
Medicaid