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HORIZON NEWSLETTER Providing Quality Care, Close to Home.
CELEBRATING AN ERA OF LEADERSHIP
in Central Virginia, regarded Horizon Behavioral Health is a leader
for its comprehensive provision of premier behavioral healthcare services under the leadership of Damien Cabezas, CEO of Horizon Behavioral Health since 2014. Effective October 20, 2021, Damien Cabezas has announced his resignation, ushering in a new era of leadership for Horizon.
IN THIS ISSUE Celebrating an Era of Leadership . . . . . . . . 1 Welcome Back Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Reuniting Families in Bedford . . . . . . . . . . . 3 More Than a Just a Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Bringing Care to Your Doorstep . . . . . . . . . 5 Helping Rural Communities Thrive . . . . . 6 Honoring Our Horizon Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Job Openings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Portfolio of Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Horizon is committed to offering behavioral healthcare services that are accessible, consumer-centered, cost effective, and outcome-based.
In the spirit of continuity and stability, Horizon’s Board of Directors has named Melissa Lucy as Interim Executive Director. Lucy brings 24 years of experience in community behavioral health. Twenty-one of those years were spent at Horizon with 18 years in leadership roles within the agency. She has dedicated her career to helping children and adults overcome life challenges with compassion, professional guidance, and caring support. “Myself and Horizon will miss Damien and his exemplary leadership,” says Lucy, “He has led Horizon through exceptional times, and we are grateful for his guidance over the past seven years. I am proud and humbled to accept the Horizon Board of Director's invitation to serve as the Interim Executive Director. After 24 years of experience in community behavioral health, my passion for improving behavioral health outcomes continues to grow as I am reminded daily of the needs felt by our children, families, and the greater community.”
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CELEBRATING AN ERA OF LEADERSHIP “It has been the honor of a lifetime to lead Horizon Behavioral Health and to have played a role in advancing Horizon’s mission of supporting and promoting the health, independence, and selfworth of individuals and families in Central Virginia. I am so proud of what we have achieved collectively. That is, Horizon has become a financial, operational, and clinical center of excellence as well as an integrated service delivery system, addressing physical health, behavioral health, and social determinants of health.
The Horizon Board and Damien are thrilled that there will be no gap in leadership at Horizon. We are pleased to announce this new chapter as we look forward to an increasingly bright future for Horizon and the communities it serves.
I thank Horizon’s Board of Directors, our very talented Horizon team, and valued community partners for their ongoing support and dedicated public service during my time here. Thank you for being such wonderful partners.” - Damien Cabezas, Chief Executive Officer
WELCOME BACK STUDENTS! Horizon is grateful to continue a strong partnership with Sweet Briar College to provide behavioral health services to all students right on campus five days a week. Our team is highly skilled in evidence-based treatment options.
Pictured Above, Sweet Briar College Campus
Melissa Lucy shares "I am excited about this opportunity and prepared for challenges that lie ahead as I continue to work closely with the Horizon Board of Directors, Horizon family, CSBs, and the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. I could not be where I am today without the support of the Horizon Board of Directors, our exceptional staff, and leadership team at Horizon.”
The School Based Services team at Horizon is excited to welcome students back for the 21-22 school year. We know that this is another transition year which means adjusting to changes day-to-day. The team continues to provide outpatient therapy and case management services to students in Appomattox, Bedford, and Campbell counties and has returned to Lynchburg City schools as the provider for Mental Health Services. Case managers meet with students as often as needed to offer support, link them to needed resources, and coordinate services while therapists meet once a week with students. "We know that the transition back to school is difficult for some students and we are eager to assist both students and faculty in helping make this year successful," says Lesli Sedwick, Director of School Based Services.
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REUNITING FAMILIES IN BEDFORD The Family Treatment Drug Court (FTDC) is an evidence-based model designed to restore, reunite, and strengthen families to ensure optimal health and safety of all members. This program is made possible by a $1.9M grant awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The goal of the program is to reunite children with parents who have lost or are in danger of losing custody as a result of opioid/ substance use. In June of 2021, the program celebrated its first year of service, surpassing the target number of families served in the community. The success of the program is measured by a target of serving 20 unique individuals in years one and two of the program and reaching 25 unique individuals in years three through five for a total of 115 unique clients served. The voluntary program consists of five phases of tapered intensity in which individuals attend counseling services, support groups, drug screenings, and inpatient care over a one-year period.
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Ashley Sweigart is a graduate of 2020, who also embodies the full potential of this powerful program. Ashley was first prescribed opiates for pain management following the birth of her son, Jordan. Years later, Ashley struggled very hard giving up opioids but found monumental success having graduated from the program in just under a year. Today, Ashley is eagerly expecting her second child, Adaela, and is armed with the confidence to get through the birth by proactively talking with her doctors about her complete birth plan. “Being able to have the support I need to be prepared for this next pregnancy is critical,” says Christina. “I have worked so hard to be where I am today."
“A collaborative approach is the only way to provide the support necessary to improve each client’s self-efficacy; the belief that they can make the change that they desire in their life.” - Adedamola Onafowokan, Project Director at Horizon
Community partnerships have been transformational in lowering barriers to access, finding appropriate services, providing those services, and getting residents to those services. Horizon is proud to work alongside dedicated service providers such as the Department of Social Services, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Central Virginia, the Bedford Court System, and the Lynchburg Health Department. These partnerships have established a firm footing for future success.
“Horizon saw changes in me that I didn’t see in myself.” - Christina Creasy, Program Graduate Christina Creasy, who graduated with her husband Nick Creasy in the 2021 Dockett, said she will never forget how her case managers encouraged her to advocate for and take care of herself. Today, Christina lives with her husband Nick and their two-year-old daughter, Braylee. She remains dedicated to her journey of recovery and to supporting incoming and former graduates of the program.
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Horizon and its partners continue to seek out innovative approaches to overcoming barriers presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. These barriers include a lack of public transportation in rural communities, social isolation, and insufficient broadband infrastructure necessary for telehealth services. To date, the program celebrates ten program graduates who have displayed perseverance and dedication to expedite the reunification of their families made possible by the Family Treatment Drug Court.
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MORE THAN JUST A HOME Horizon's Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Program In June, Horizon was pleased to receive $609,000 to implement a Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program intended to help participants secure and maintain affordable housing. Coordinated access to services is provided by Horizon to ensure successful tenancy and reduce the severity of mental illness symptoms and medical problems. This grant allows Horizon to distribute 30 vouchers for rental subsidies to individuals and families who meet any of the following criteria:
The focus of the grant is to reduce access barriers for clients in rural communities around Central Virginia so they can receive the treatment they need. In the program’s developmental stage, we are taking special care to ensure that individuals in the PSH program have access to coordinated services by capitalizing on collaborative relationships with key stakeholders.
1. Patients in state psychiatric facilities who are interested and eligible for PSH 2. Residents of supervised residential settings who can live more independently 4. Chronically homeless, or literally homeless and at-risk of becoming chronically homeless 5. Unstably housed and frequent users of hospital or criminal justice system interventions
“This program opens the doors to encouraging individuals to consent to receive services; a crucial step for those who may have experienced trauma related to treatment in the past.”
The grant also offers additional assistance with ‘start-up’ funds to support those residents in purchasing necessary resources such as moving fees, emergency food, cleaning supplies, utilities, fees to obtain IDs and birth certificates, credit restoration services, and furniture so they can be well and live as independently as possible in their new communities. Horizon has dedicated a team of six internal staff to support the work of this program including a Housing Specialist that will begin assigning vouchers by December 2021. The housing specialist will assist program participants in finding safe housing, maintaining housing, linking to supportive services, and maintaining collaborative relationships with stakeholders.
- Alva Harold, Emergency Services Program Director
Horizon is committed to providing supportive housing opportunities for adults with serious mental illness (SMI) in order to promote wellness, prevent and end experiences of homelessness, avoid unnecessary hospital admissions, and facilitate discharges from institutional facilities with the support of the DBHDS Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program.
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BRINGING CARE TO YOUR DOORSTEP Horizon’s Summer Community Health Worker Outreach Initiative
“I’m raising two little girls now. I don’t know how to deal with the grief of my daughter, but I’m trying. These little girls grieve their mommy. So, it does mean a lot to me to know that there’s help out there for me,” Horizon Behavioral Health is emerging from the national COVID-19 shutdown with innovative efforts to engage the region like never before. In response to significant rises in mental health and substance use challenges during the pandemic, Horizon launched a six-week summer outreach community health worker initiative that has met residents in underserved communities right at their doorstep. "The challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic has placed individuals at increased risk for mental illness and substance use ushering in a great need for hope, reassurance, and support" says Januwaa Davis, Prevention & Wellness Program Manager, "We believe that this gentle, yet genuine reminder that they are not alone, is the catalyst for getting many the help that they so desperately need." This team provides home wellness checks and care packages at no cost to residents in the City of Lynchburg and counties of Bedford, Campbell, Appomattox, and Amherst. The community health workers were trained to identify signs of mental health and substance use conditions and provide information on how to access food, housing, employment, financial assistance, legal and medical services. They also offered additional free resources to help prevent potential crises such as medication disposal kits, lockboxes, and trigger locks.
said Georgia.
The team met Georgia Robinson at her door when she needed them most. She was struggling with the death of her 23-year old daughter and left to care for her five- and three-year-old granddaughters. The community health workers who paid Georgia a visit were able to provide her with helpful information on how to support her in her new role as caretaker. Over 1,647 wellness visits and 1,001 care packages were delivered in just a four-week period. Each visit revealed emerging community needs and barriers to service including access to technology, lack of awareness, stigmatization as well as social isolation. Through this program, Horizon has proactively overcome those barriers by improving perceived accessibility to available supportive services throughout the community. Foundational to the success of this initiative lies dedicated community partnerships with local school divisions, law enforcement, and the Department of Social Services who collaborated to ensure communities most in need were provided the support extended by this program.
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HELPING RURAL COMMUNITIES THRIVE Using an Evidence-Based Model to Provide Outreach and Treatment in Bedford and Amherst Counties Residents of rural communities have historically struggled to receive treatment due to a lack of providers and available services. The Treatment Advocacy Center reports that 215,876 Virginians suffer from a severe mental illness, yet only 13% of Bedford residents reported using mental health, alcohol abuse, or drug abuse services according to Centra's 2018-2021 Community Health Needs Assessment. In that same survey, 28% of Bedford respondents said that mental health services were hard to find in their community and 20% reported that substance abuse services were also hard to find. In response to this need, Horizon was awarded $800,000 through a Federal Health Grant that has provided opportunity extended outreach and treatment in rural, Central Virginia.
Our focus with this grant is to reduce access barriers for clients in our rural communities so that they may receive evidence-based treatment through cross-sector collaboration. A dedicated program partner, Tecora Johnson, Deputy Chief Probation & Parole Officer states that “Community collaboration enables us to impact public safety and reduce recidivism by empowering individuals to consider their options by educating them on steps to take to secure a brighter future.” Horizon is grateful for community partners, including criminal justice agencies and social services that are integral to leveraging shared resources and instilling hope and connection in those who need it most.
Sponsored by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), this four year grant is slotted to serve 150 clients in Amherst and Bedford Counties to address rural health disparities in Central Virginia. Enrollment is expected to begin before October of this year and is an excellent opportunity for individuals who are 18 or older, have a serious mental illness diagnosis and are a resident of Amherst or Bedford County.
“When we think of the prospective clients of this program, we recognize that they are isolated, lack access to transportation, and are facing a lot of stigma. Our program can offer residents not only a way to access treatment – but show them that they can have hope and expect the quality of life that Our family talent pool we all deserve.”
Three months after the grant’s initial execution, Horizon staff has made large strides in setting a strong foundation for success. Horizon has brought in a nationally recognized expert to consult on the project and conduct a three day training with 30 grant partners to train them in SAMHSA’s Illness Management and Recovery (IMR) Model. We are confident that our staff and partners will exceed the goals of this grant to meet the desired outcome of improving the quality of life and the extension of years of life for populations in rural communities who face health disparities.
is growing. We're proud to have 2 new - Jennifer Smith Ramey, doctors, 2 designers Project Director & and a lawyer! Co-principal Investigator
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THANK YOU, HORIZON HEROES Since the onset of the international pandemic, Horizon has led the way in taking proactive measures to ensure our community never losses access to its behavioral health services. We have our exceptional staff to thank for their resiliency and commitment shown throughout this unprecedented time in our nation’s history. Horizon has expanded recovery residences, strengthened community partnerships, and increased accessibility to services with more than 97,430 telehealth appointments for a total of 4,245 clients served since March of 2020. We are grateful for our operational and clinical staff who go above and beyond their call of duty each day to meet the needs of those we serve. Thank you, to all of our Horizon Heroes!
Pictured above, Horizon thanked some of its hardworking professionals with a night out at the Hillcats Ballpark.
UPCOMING EVENTS RECOVERY MONTH CELEBRATION
Miller Park Pavilion September 30, 2021 I
5:30 - 7:30pm
Join us in celebrating recovery with a family-friendly event featuring a catered dinner, speakers, and entertainment the whole family can enjoy! GENOA PHARMACY GRAND OPENING
Bryan Wilson, recipient of the Employee of the Quarter Award, pictured with Senior Portfolio Director, Sherri Thacker, and Damien Cabezas, CEO. Bryan is recognized by Horizon leadership, community partners, and his co-workers for his outstanding dedication to serving our clients and community for over thirteen years. It has been said of Bryan that "he has such an authentic desire to see people heal and a gentle ability to connect with individuals."
Bedford Wellness Center I Date and Time TBD Horizon is proud to expand its partnership with Genoa Healthcare to add a new pharmacy at our Bedford Wellness Center in addition to our existing pharmacies at the Landover and Langhorne Wellness Centers in Lynchburg. ANNUAL 'GIVING BACK AWARDS' RECEPTION
Academy Center for the Arts November 2, 2021 I Time TBD All staff are invited to attend the annual 'Giving Back Award' Reception hosted by Lynchburg Living Magazine, to celebrate Horizon on their nomination as a top 15 non-profit of 2021.
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PORTFOLIO OF SERVICES
Horizon Behavioral Health supports and promotes the health, independence and self-worth of individuals and families in Central Virginia by providing a continuum of community-based treatment, prevention, early intervention, and aftercare services for persons affected by mental health, intellectual disabilities, substance use and cooccurring disorders.
Case Management Emergency Services Housing Services Outpatient Services Psychiatric Services Primary Care
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES We welcome those who share our passion for behavioral health service to join us in the pursuit of our mission. You can learn more about career opportunities at Horizon, by visiting www.HorizonBH.org/careers today!
Prevention & Wellness School Based Services
Call Horizon today to schedule an appointment! Admissions: (434) 477-5000 After Hours Emergency: (434) 522-8191
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