In This Edition
Executive Update
Battling Addiction Together
Finding Yourself in Life's Challenges
A Day of Opportunity. An Army of Support.
Recent Achievements
Horizon's Employee of The Quarter, Curtis Jones
Local Children's Book Author, Cherice Peagler
Award-Winning Poster, Lynchburg Adult Drug Court
Service Updates
Crisis Receiving Center (CRC)
In The Community
Muffins with Moms, A Mother's Day Event
Walk For Recovery, A Recovery Month Event
Ride of Our Lives, A Suicide Prevention Month Event
| Pictured Above: Community gathers for photo at Horizon's Ride of Our Lives Annual Event. | | |
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Dear Reader,
On behalf of Horizon’s Executive Leadership Team, I am pleased to share an update on recent achievements and upcoming projects on the horizon.
Horizon has turned the page on another fiscal calendar year this July, and we are positioned well for a promising year ahead. Some of Horizon’s newest programs, including the Grant to Benefit Homeless Individuals (GBHI), Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), and Project Link, celebrated impressive outcomes, focusing their resources on serving high-risk populations such as pregnant and postpartum women, individuals with severe mental illness, and adolescents experiencing homelessness. The State Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services was pleased to receive updates on the establishment of these new programs, as well as all other service areas, at their quarterly meeting in September. On behalf of the State Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the Board Chair expressed “The members of the board were appreciative of Melissa's time and very impressed with the presentation about all the good work Horizon is doing. It was clear that the staff are focused on meeting the needs of individuals of all ages with a high quality of care across a broad array of services.”
In this newsletter edition, we are also proud to congratulate recent graduates from Horizon’s Bedford Family Treatment Drug Court, Lynchburg Adult Drug Court, and the Office Based Addiction Treatment (OBAT) program. Their success speaks volumes of their hard work, and we couldn’t be prouder to celebrate their recovery journey!
In recent news, Horizon is proud to receive funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that will jump-start a new treatment model to benefit adolescents (ages 12-18) and transitional aged youth (ages 16-25). The Treatment Enhancement and Expansion (TREE) grant will establish its roots in Amherst this fall, serving students at Amherst County Public Schools, with hopes of expanding its reach across the region in the near future.
This quarter, we were excited to announce plans for a Crisis Receiving Center (CRC) which is scheduled to begin construction in 2024 for an anticipated 2025 grand opening. In this newsletter, you will hear from community partners who have been catalysts in making our vision of a CRC a hopeful reality here in Lynchburg.
We look forward to keeping you updated on our progress as we make strides to continue breaking down barriers to care with innovative treatment options.
Respectfully Yours,
Melissa Lucy, CEO
Horizon Behavioral Health
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Battling Addiction Together
Individuals seeking addiction treatment are presented with more opportunities for support in their fight against addiction than ever before. Prior to March 1st, 2022, the former Preferred Office Based Opioid Treatment (OBOT) programs were not reimbursed for treatment services not related to Opioid Use Disorder. Confronted with the reality that more patients die from alcoholism each year than any other form of substance use disorder and the concurrent rise in methamphetamine misuse and cocaine use disorders, the need for expanded treatment options was undeniably critical. To combat this issue and overcome limitations to care, the former Office Based Addiction Treatment (OBOT) model was expanded to allow for treatment beyond Opioid Use Disorder covered within Medicaid for the first time.
In the first year of implementing this expanded model, Horizon’s Office Based Addiction Treatment (OBAT) program proudly celebrated its first graduate, Margarette Anne Quinn, in May 2023. A new resident of Lynchburg, Margarette knew that a fresh start in a new home was what she needed despite the tough decision to leave loved ones behind. She was in search of support when she found Horizon. Driven by her heart’s desire to be able to help her children and grandchildren, she began her recovery journey with the Office Based Addiction Treatment (OBAT) program. Together with her interdisciplinary team, she began to set goals and make sustainable lifestyle changes that would assist her recovery.
“I set myself a time goal [because] I knew that suboxone is not a long-term fix. [So] I wanted to be off suboxone in one year,” said Margarette. “I was able to beat my goal by two months, finishing the OBAT program in ten months. Since then, I’ve been able to resist temptation in difficult circumstances and even help other family members who are going through some of the same things I had,” she proudly shared. Reflecting on her journey to graduation, she said “having the right Doctor helped me get through. The doctor talked to me and spoke to me in a way that made me feel comfortable. He explained things to me in a respectful way. It made me feel good about coming in and doing good.” The place I was going to made a really big difference. [Horizon] made it easier.”
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Finding Yourself
in Life's Challenges
On August 16th, 2023, Victoria “Tori” Hailey celebrated a triumphant milestone as she accepted her certificate of completion from the Bedford Family Treatment Drug Court (FTDC) program. On Graduation Day, dozens of her friends and family filled the courtroom to the brim to celebrate this inspiring accomplishment! Victoria shared in an interview that the program connected her to people and community groups that supported her through the program and will continue to support her moving forward. She said, “being in the program, I have gained everyone that hated me before. I have gained back their trust, and I’ve gained back every person that I lost because of my addiction.” While the program was difficult, she said it was well-worth the fight. “It was so worth it. I gained my self-confidence back and I gained myself back.” Victoria said she hopes to help people that share the same struggles she experienced when she lost herself to her addiction. She encourages others, “If you stick with it and you make goals for yourself, you will succeed. But you have to stick with it. I never thought that I would own my own home, and here I am, having just bought my own house. I could never have done that without drug court, they helped teach me how to manage my money in addition to everything else.” Tori graduated from the Family Treatment Drug Court, regained custody of her children, earned her Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) Certification and purchased her first home, all in one year. Congratulations, Victoria!
The Bedford Family Treatment Drug Court will be celebrating their next graduation on October 25th at 3:00pm at the Bedford County Courthouse located at 123 E Main St, Bedford, Virginia 24523.
|  | Pictured Above: Victoria Hailey celebrates Graduation Day with her eldest daughter at the Bedford County Court House. | Pictured Above: The Bedford Family Treatment Dockets attended the 2023 DUI Specialty Docket Training in Norfolk, VA. | | | |
A Day of Opportunity.
An Army of Support.
| Horizon wishes a resounding ‘Congratulations!’ to the five graduates of the Lynchburg Adult Drug Court Program who graduated the evening of Monday, September 25th. It was an honor to be present in recognition of these individuals for their perseverance and hard work. | |
Each year, more than 150,000 individuals in the United States who enter the criminal justice system due to addiction, can receive lifesaving treatment, a chance to repair their lives, reconnect with their families, and find long-term recovery.
Delegate Wendell Walker shared “Lynchburg is leading the way on Drug Court. It’s my hope that this program is an example for the Commonwealth.” He added, “It’s wonderful to hear from these individuals who have turned their lives around. It’s not easy to overcome addiction, but they’ve demonstrated the resolve and determination to do so.”
| During the ceremony, graduate Regina Hall was honored by the Lynchburg League of Women Voters as the first ever recipient of the Carla Heath Leadership Award. Regina was selected by her fellow graduates as someone who exemplifies the triumph of recovery, who is supportive of others, and who shows leadership among her peers. | Pictured Above: Graduates and organizational partners of the Lynchburg Adult Drug Court share a photo following graduation ceremony. | The Lynchburg Adult Drug Court is a collaborative initiative established by the Central Virginia Health District, the Lynchburg Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, Horizon Behavioral Health, the Lynchburg Circuit Court, the Lynchburg Public Defender’s Office, and the Virginia Department of Corrections. | Pictured Below: Senator Mark Peake and Delegate Wendell Walker join Melissa Lucy, Horizon CEO, and Judge Frederick Watson at the graduation ceremony on Monday, September 25th, 2023. | |
In an interview before the ceremony, the graduates shared how the opportunity to enroll in the program was one that would forever transform their lives. The decision they made to commit to the program and the support they received along the way, will never be forgotten. | |
“It is so special for me to see everyone that actually came today and showed up for me. All the support that I got makes me want to stay in touch with the program moving forward and stay connected with this community. To the people out there that are battling addiction, be truthful and honest. Stay true to yourself. Stay true to the people who are trying to support you.”
-Lewis Washington, Program Graduate
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“This is the disease of addiction: it is an everyday fight. You don’t just wake up one morning miraculously healed. It’s something that I work on every single day. Today, I am leading a totally different life, thanks to everybody who has helped me. I am very grateful. To the people out there that are struggling, take it one day at time, you got this!”
-Regina Hall, Program Graduate and Recipient of the Carla Heath Leadership Award
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“When I first came to drug court, I didn’t understand the importance of boundaries or self-care. Since then, I learned how to use these tools and discovered that I had the strength to do this.”
-Stanley Hubbard, Program Graduate
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“This day, to me, means opportunity. To not have to sit behind four walls, and instead be given the opportunity to work on myself with individuals and peers supporting me along the way was an eye-opening experience. It’s given me a second chance at life.”
-Quincey Stewart, Program Graduate
Learn more about the Lynchburg Adult Drug Treatment Court.
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Employee of the Quarter
Curtis Jones III, Prevention Specialist
Curtis Jones III has been a Prevention Specialist at Horizon since 2021, serving as a valuable asset to the Prevention Department over the last 2+ years. Here at Horizon, Curtis has been affectionately praised for his timeliness, dependability, and can-do attitude. He is known for being a team player and his willingness to step into ‘new or unfamiliar territory’ to support his fellow co-workers. Curtis has acted as a spokesperson in the community on behalf of Horizon, speaking at numerous community events. He also facilities the Data to Action Resource Team (DART) and Drug Take Back Day initiatives in partnership with local law enforcement. He has taught Too Good for Drugs in the Lynchburg High Schools, facilitated REVIVE Opioid Overdose Response trainings, Hidden in Plain Sight trainings, and Mental Health First Aid trainings, while juggling numerous other responsibilities. His continued growth and embodiment of Horizon's Guiding Principles has made Horizon very proud.
In the Employee of the Quarter selection process, co-workers who nominated Curtis for this award said “Curtis has worked diligently to build trusting, supportive, and responsive relationships with community stakeholders. Curtis works tirelessly to understand community needs and ensure that those with decision-making authority have the most relevant and up-to-date data in Central Virginia regarding substance use and mental health as he leads the Data to Action Resource Team in developing annual reports.” Congratulations, Curtis!
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Horizon Congratulates Local
Children's Book Author
Cherice Peagler, School Based Outpatient Therapist
Cherice is an Outpatient Therapist in Horizon’s School-Based Outpatient Program serving students at Linkhorne Middle School in Lynchburg City. Having been with Horizon since 2004, Cherice shares how her role has been influential in deciding what message she wanted to share in her recent book publication, and who she wanted to share it with. "Working in the schools for 14 years, seeing what the kids needed in the schools, and considering what I wanted my 3-year-old son to learn, all made me realize that these were the messages I knew I wanted to share; character building, integrity, kindness and an understanding of delayed gratification."
When asked what made her interested in pursuing publication, Cherice said "I had the idea to publish for many years, but I didn't really know where to start. So, it remained a dream of mine for quite a while. Finally, I submitted my work to a publisher in 2019." Not long after, she was informed that they were interested in publishing her very first book. Then COVID-19 happened. After two years, Cherice finally got to lay eyes on the final product. It was a highly anticipated moment, for sure! Cherice recently launched her second book, Seeds of Faith, in 2023. This story shares a message of hope and healing by giving young readers the tools to heal and think through tough decisions.
Keep an eye out for Cherice's upcoming book 'Flexibly Challenged Mind: An Autistic Flow'. This book will follow a day in the life of a student living with Autism as they take in the classroom environment, paired with helpful tips for adults interacting with the student in the classroom.
Cherice's books 'Candy Apples' and ‘Seeds of Faith’ can be found online for purchase at Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Audible, Books-A-Million, Target, and Walmart. Those interested in learning more about Cherice’s work can search Candy Apples on Spotlight with Logan Crawford to see her talk more about her work or visit www.Chericetpeagler.com.
Please join Horizon in congratulating Cherice on this fine achievement. It is inspiring to see the passion for this work, and genuine care for our clients, overflow into her creative efforts to further impact our community outside of the workplace.
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Award-Winning Poster: Building Bridges to Connect Communities & Courts
Supreme Court of Virginia’s 2023 Specialty Docket Poster Contest
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The Lynchburg Adult Drug Treatment Court, serving the 24th Judicial Circuit of Virginia, won the Supreme Court of Virginia’s 2023 Specialty Docket poster contest! The poster will be displayed inside the Supreme Court of Virginia for a whole year. Congratulations to Dammy Onafowokan, Horizon Project Director and poster designer, who submitted the award-winning design, pictured below, which features members from the Drug Treatment Court Team offering hope and support to foster growth, change, and progress here in Lynchburg, Virginia. In the award letter, the Specialty Docket Division said, "the submission was well-crafted, creative, and inspirational." Congratulations to the Lynchburg Adult Drug Treatment Court Team!
| Pictured Below: The Lynchburg Adult Drug Treatment Court Team attended the 2023 DUI Specialty Docket Training in Norfolk, VA. | | |
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Horizon recently announced news of a Crisis Receiving Center, which is slated to begin construction in 2024 and open for services in 2025. The planned Crisis Receiving Center, otherwise known as a CRC, aims to offer an alternative response and treatment path for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis: a place where anyone can receive both immediate help and get connected to appropriate, long-term support.
The center will provide multiple treatment options for adults experiencing a mental health crisis including those that are placed under an Emergency Custody Order (ECO) or a Temporary Detention Order (TDO). Services offered to adults will include walk-in mental health evaluation, 23-hour observation, residential crisis stabilization, and detox services. This array of services will support timely placement in treatment services, keeping clients closer to their support networks, and offering more options for immediate treatment. Individuals can access the CRC voluntarily or will be brought to the center by a police officer under an Emergency Custody Order or Temporary Detention Order. The goal of the center is for individuals to have the ability to walk-in to access services 24/7, seven days a week. Alternatively, local law enforcement can also transport individuals to the center under an Emergency Custody Order (ECO) or Temporary Detention Order (TDO) to receive services, in lieu of the hospital emergency room where the individual and the officer might wait several hours, or even days, for a bed in a mental health unit or a residential facility. The Residential Crisis Stabilization and Detox services provided by Horizon through the Center will offer a total of 16 beds. The 23-hour observation service can also serve up to 16 clients at one time. So, in total, the center can accommodate up to 32 individuals at one time, keeping in mind that additional people can utilize the walk-in service to receive an evaluation at any point in time as well.
Melissa Lucy, Horizon CEO, says community partnership laid the groundwork for the vision of the CRC. “The vision for this Crisis Receiving Center would not be a reality without collaborative partnerships among key community organizations, law enforcement partners and support from local and state representatives. Centra Health is one of those key community organizations."
“We are excited to see the Crisis Receiving Center come to fruition on Fenwick Drive,” shares Amy Carrier, Centra CEO. “Centra was proud to partner with Horizon in providing the facility that will become home to this critically needed service. The benefits of this Center are numerous and extend not only to Centra but also local law enforcement and other partnering organizations who are working to address the behavioral health crisis in our community. This timely addition to Horizon’s services will help to meet the increasing need for behavioral health services by providing much needed intervention, care, and hope to those who need it most.”
Melissa Lucy adds, “while the mental health crisis cannot be solved overnight, we are confident the CRC will help to alleviate the weight of the crisis felt by our community, keeping our focus on assisting individuals who suffer from a mental illness as well as their families.”
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Pictured above: Senator Mark Peake and Senator Steve Newman visit Lynchburg to discuss project plans with Horizon Behavioral Health and local law enforcement partners. | |
Mother's Day
Muffins With Moms
This Mother’s Day, women in Central Virginia came together to celebrate motherhood and recognize the challenges and grief that everyday mothers face. Guest speaker, Kelli Griffiths, Maternal and Infant Program Manager at Centra Health, led a discussion with Horizon clients in the Project Link Program, to explore self-care and conflicting emotions that accompany motherhood during challenging times. Kelli shared “Points that have helped me in the past with my miscarriage in 2020 are ones I chose to share with this amazing group of moms. They are 1.) give yourself grace, 2.) keep it simple, 3.) traditions and 4.) self-care.” Kelli encouraged the group to utilize these tips regularly, especially around holidays like Christmas, Birthdays and Father's Day, when feelings of grief and loss are especially strong. She explains further, “Some mothers may have lost a child while pregnant, experienced an infant loss, or may not have custody of their child(ren), but each of these experiences are felt as a loss compared to what they had originally pictured or hoped for when becoming a mother.” Kelli said “It was important for me to share this message with this population because 1 in 7 mothers experience postpartum depression or anxiety during pregnancy or postpartum. In fact, The CDC (2022) reports over 30% of pregnancy-related maternal deaths occurred up to a year postpartum and 22.7% were due to mental health conditions. The good news is that these deaths can be prevented with proper awareness, education, and resources.” Women in attendance also had the opportunity to share their experiences with the community in a meaningful way. Click here to listen.
Horizon’s Project Link program is one of many local resources whose mission is to come alongside parents to teach them how to best support each other during monumental life transitions, such as becoming a new parent or having a baby.
“I love that Project Link exists, and I hope more of the Lynchburg population utilizes this resource, as well as other Horizon and Centra services, to benefit mothers and their growing families, to ensure that they are safe, healthy and happy.”
- Kelli Griffiths, Maternal and Infant Program Manager, Centra Health
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CVARR's Walk for Recovery
National Recovery Month
The Central Virginia Addiction & Recovery Resources (CVARR) Coalition hosted their annual Walk for Recovery and Community Cookout at Miller Park, in Lynchburg, on Thursday, September 14th, 2023. As a proud member of CVARR, Horizon was grateful to join many other local organizations who came together to share resources, information, and their support for our recovery community. Individuals and families walked to honor the lives of loved ones lost to addiction and to recognize the perseverance of those who are actively in recovery.
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Ride of Our Lives
National Suicide Prevention Month
Motorcycle bikers filled the streets on Saturday, September 16th, 2023, as Horizon hosted its’ second annual Ride of Our Lives event to bring awareness to mental health and suicide prevention. “This event is very special to Horizon,” says Melissa Lucy, CEO. “It is an opportunity for us to connect with our community and join forces with community partners who are equally passionate about preventing suicide and bringing awareness to mental health, at a time when many families here in our community are remembering and honoring the lives of loved ones lost to suicide.”
This event was made possible with support from the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Chapter 27-11, the Harley Davidson of Lynchburg, New Freedom Farm and The Suicide Prevention Awareness Coalition of Central Virginia.
Get connected to more local events and trainings hosted by Horizon.
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For more news and information about Horizon, visit
www.horizonbh.org to keep up with the latest updates!
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