Summary
- The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs and Birches Health joined forces for a new strategic contract
- The collaboration seeks to provide gambling treatment and support for underserved Pennsylvanians,
- Problem gambling is a growing public health concern in Pennsylvania
The leading national clinical provider of specialized treatment for gambling disorder and related behavioral health conditions, Birches Health, struck a major contract in Pennsylvania. The company’s strategic contract with the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) will deliver treatment, support and care services to individuals and families impacted by problem gambling across the state.
The program will help people affected by gambling harm
Notably, the collaboration between DDAP and Birches Health will offer comprehensive, insurance-covered and state-supported clinical services. This vital treatment and support will seek to address geographical and financial challenges that Pennsylvanians living in rural and underserved communities face. As a result, people who need high-quality clinical support for gambling disorders will benefit from the newly announced collaboration. Birches Health is renowned for offering treatment via a telehealth-first model. This innovative method successfully fuses individual therapy, peer support, financial wellness, group counseling and digital engagement, offering personalized care by clinicians with specific gambling disorder training. Importantly, those services are provided in the privacy, security and convenience of the people’s homes, a key aspect that fights geographical or financial challenges that may otherwise limit access to such vital services. On the other hand, DDAP is recognized as Pennsylvania’s leading agency for addiction prevention, treatment and recovery. Joining forces with Birches Health, DDAP bolsters its treatment infrastructure and capabilities, addressing gaps in access to gambling support services by Pennsylvanians.
Underserved populations across Pennsylvania will receive vital support
This partnership with DDAP reflects a broader shift toward value-driven, measurement-informed behavioral health care that organizations are increasingly prioritizing, he said. Moreover, DiGiacomo pointed out: Strengthening relationships with state partners and health plans is critical to scaling sustainable models of care - particularly for underserved populations - so that individuals who truly need specialized support can access it earlier, engage more consistently, and achieve meaningful, measurable recovery outcomes. Elliott Rapaport, Birches Health’s CEO and founder, added: Gambling disorder is one of the most underdiagnosed and undertreated behavioral health conditions in the country. Rapaport outlined that the contract with DDAP will deliver specialized, clinical and effective care to more Pennsylvanians. Recent data suggest that gambling disorder is a growing public health concern in Pennsylvania. Between 60% and 73% of the adults in the state have engaged in online or offline gambling, while between 2.5% and 6.4% match the criteria for problem gambling.
