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.

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.

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. 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.

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“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 we all deserve.

- Jennifer Smith Ramey, Project Director & Co-principal Investigator