BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — There is a new resource for kids who have dropped out of school for substance abuse — courtesy of the Research Park at FAU.
The Research Park at Florida Atlantic University announces that Life of Purpose, a treatment facility that provides a research-based solution for young adults who have had their academic careers disrupted by substance abuse, will open at the Boca Raton campus in May, 2013.
Life of Purpose will occupy approximately 6,000 square feet, bringing the number of Research Park tenants to 24. Combined with the Technology Business Incubator companies, the total number of tenants at the Research Park is 47.
Life of Purpose utilizes its patent-pending evidenced-based treatment methodology and provides services for this population that are superior to more generalized and generic treatment models. By creating a facility that solely focuses on the clinical needs of substance abusers experiencing academic disruption, Life of Purpose is able to foster an environment where all case management services, individual therapy and group clinical work, target the specific needs of each client.
“The specialized services we are providing are unique within the substance abuse treatment field. We are creating an environment which exclusively serves those with a desire for higher education, so Life of Purpose is able to fine tune every aspect of our program to the needs of this population.” said Andrew Burki, CEO of Life of Purpose.
Life of Purpose is also committed to funding ongoing clinical research in the substance abuse treatment field to stay abreast of the most current treatment methodologies and is allocating 10% of company profits towards this goal.
Burki added, “Life of Purpose is thrilled to have the opportunity to operate in the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University. We have many shared interests and are excited by our current and future collaborations with numerous departments including the School of Social Work, Department of Counselor Education, Psychology Department, College of Nursing, Exercise Science and Health Promotion, and the College of Medicine.”
Life of Purpose is already closely allied with Florida Atlantic University. Burki, MSW is an FAU alumnus as is the facility's clinical director, Steven Nurkin LCSW. The facility's medical director, Dr. Charles Norris Jr., is a professor at the FAU College of Medicine and will provide psychiatric services for Life of Purpose clients. The facility's dietitian, Paula Mendelson, MPH, RD, LD CCN, teaches nutrition on campus as a professor at the College of Nursing and Dr. Wes Hawkins from the School of Social Work will serve as the Program Evaluator. Additionally, collaboration with the facility’s liaison to the University, Dr. Michelle Hawkins, department head of the FAU School of Social Work, and Dr. Peter Holland at the College of Medicine will ensure continuing education opportunities for clinicians and medical personnel in the substance abuse treatment field. In addition to its strong ties to FAU, Life of Purpose has assembled a robust team of individuals including the facility's Chief Operating Officer Sarah Lucas who received her MBA from Harvard Business School and the facility's Director of Education Jerry Mishkin who received his Masters of Education from Harvard University. “The involvement of so many high caliber individuals guarantees that our clients are receiving the highest possible quality of clinical care available,” said Burki.
“Life of Purpose is a valuable addition to the Research Park and will complement our existing roster of companies,” said Andrew Duffell, president and CEO of the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University. “The center employs strong research-based methodologies and tackles contemporary societal challenges, a key theme of Florida Atlantic University.”
