A Caring Alternative

A Caring Alternative, LLC (ACA) is a well-established comprehensive care agency providing behavioral health and substance use disorder services to adults, adolescents, and children in Western North Carolina.

A Caring Alternative, LLC is a CARF accredited service provider with facilities in Asheville, Hickory, Marion, and Morganton, NC. A Caring Alternative, LLC is CABHA certified and a Trauma-Informed Agency. We provide an array of services to Alexander, Buncombe, Burke, Catawba, Caldwell, Iredell, McDowell, and Mitchell counties which consist of Assertive Community Treatment Team, Community Support Team, Day Treatment, Integrated Care, Intensive In-Home, Medication Management, Outpatient Therapy, and Therapeutic Foster Care.

Vision of Care

A Caring Alternative was founded in 2006 by Melaina Rhoney as a behavioral health organization with a cutting-edge vision to integrated health care approaches. A Caring Alternative is a well-established comprehensive care agency providing behavioral health and substance use disorder services to adults, adolescents, and children in Western North Carolina. The agency was founded on the belief that when people truly care and are willing to go the extra mile, we will not only improve lives, we will create success in the lives of the people we support.

Approach to Care

Our organization is a values-based behavioral health system. These value-based methods are the deeply ingrained principles that guide daily operations; they serve as the cultural foundation. Every employee understands the importance of upholding these practices established to guide ethical practice, plan, and deliver the highest quality of care for every client we serve. We believe a diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization is one where all employees, volunteers, and members — regardless of gender, race, gender identity, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, education, disability, veteran status, or other dimensions of diversity — feel valued and respected. We are committed to providing informed, authentic leadership for cultural equity and modeling diversity and inclusion for the entire alliance. Our values are divided into three main categories:

Exceptional Service Delivery

Meet consumers“where they are.”

Individual & Professional Growth

Enhance skills through ongoing training and education.

Agency Preservation & Growth

Hire quality employees, and invest in their development.

Mission of Care

The mission of A Caring Alternative is to be “the most valued and trusted agency in the community delivering behavioral health services and services to individuals with developmental disabilities. Through compassionate staff, who have the desire and knowledge to deliver quality services, we will strive to promote the independence of every client we serve. We make every effort to keep individuals and their families safe and comfortable in the most important place…their home and their local community.”

Commitment to Care

At A Caring Alternative, we strive to be the most valued and trusted agency in the community, providing the best quality behavioral health and substance use disorder programs to adults, adolescents, and children in Western North Carolina. Learn more about the services offered below.

A Caring Team

Employee Spotlight

At A Caring Alternative, we strive to have A Caring Team. Our goal is to provide the highest level of care to those we serve. Our team specializes in many services that call for passionate teammates dedicated to helping others through compassion, kindness, and respect. We like to spotlight our exceptional staff; you can see why visit our website here: https://www.caringalternative.com/employee-spotlight

What Our Employees Say

"Returning to College while working full time and also trying to be a devoted wife and mother, was the most challenging, seemingly impossible goal I have ever undertaken. I could not have obtained my master’s degree nor fulfilled my lifelong dream of becoming a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, without others risking and investing in me. A Caring Alternative offered me a paying job, allowed me to do my Internship, and supported me in so many ways during that time in my life. To be transparent, there were many obstacles to my goal; some within the agency and some outside the agency. However, the CEO of A Caring Alternative -Melaina Rhoney, not only made periodic visits and asked how I was doing, but she inquired as to what was working and what was not in my internship. She always assured me that it is the goal of the agency to support its Interns and to make a place for them within the agency, once they have graduated and are ready to enter the field of mental health full time. Finding an opportunity to intern with a local agency was the biggest challenge I faced in those early days. No one understandably wanted to invest in someone who did not have their full credentials, but Melaina did. Behind her were also many other ACA Staff that supported me all along the way; Supervisors, other Therapists, Co-workers, and even the Clients cheered me on! I will forever be grateful for that support."

"When I graduated, I stayed on with ACA. I felt it only right that I give back to the agency that gave so much to me. I have been with the agency for almost 8 years now. I have filled the positions of; Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT) Qualified Professional, ACTT Therapist, ACT Assistant Team Lead and I am currently the Team Lead of ACA ACTT East -a second ACT team that myself and one amazing Psychiatrist, -Nimesh Shah, MD, began building from the ground up 2 years ago. I now get the daily opportunity to work with 9 other amazing professionals and I have the high honor of overseeing 68 Clients, many of whom have severe and persistent co-occurring disorders. It has and continues to be a very joyful and fulfilling experience to serve others, and only because someone believed in my potential and gave me a chance. Thank you A Caring Alternative, for continuing to be, that caring alternative in my Life."

~ Kim Rhyne Prewitt, MA, LCMHC, NCC, LCAS-A

Grow With Us

A Caring Alternative offers a rewarding experience for those passionate about making a difference in the lives of others. We are in the business of caring and committed to building an organization where our team can grow together by helping others. Join our talented team and become part of an inspiring organization that offers hope and care by delivering the highest quality of service for every client we serve. We set the highest standard for quality care services. Achievement of this goal depends on every one of our employees. As a member of our team, we are dedicated to promoting your talents, skillset, and energies to improve the environment and quality for those we serve. You have opportunities to grow and advance in your career.

Why apply at A Caring Alternative?

We celebrate diversity, so bring YOU! We want you to be proud and comfortable to get your true self, and we strive to enhance the value of our work through respectful curiosity about one another’s culture.
Competitive Pay rates! We offer a competitive rate of pay. Work-related mileage is paid tax-free.
Pride in Your Work! You can join an organization that seeks to set the standard for quality support services for people with mental illness. We hope you will find satisfaction and take pride in your work here.
Strong Core Values! Join our values-based, family-owned company with a culture that we care about.
Grow! Our strong core values include promotion and position changes for your career development.
Clinical Supervision! Supervision is available for clinical licensure.
Flexibility, Flexibility, Flexibility! We work in a team environment and promote flexibility.
Training! Solid training is provided & paid for by the company.

Benefits!

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees.

401(k) & Roth retirement plan
401(k) matching
11 paid holidays
Paid Time Off accrual begins upon hire, 100 hours the first year
Primary medical, dental & vision insurance
Company-paid Life Insurance
Short term & long-term insurance
Employee Assistance Program

We are an equal opportunity employer.

Employee Safety Protocols

COVID-19 precautions

Personal protective equipment provided or required
Temperature screenings
Social distancing guidelines
Disinfecting and cleaning procedures in place

To keep our employees safe, we offer flexible worksites and work hours. Masks, gloves, and hand sanitation products are provided. Many contacts with clients are virtual.