Appomattox recovery initiative: expanding access to evidence-based treatment and supports - horizon behavioral health proposes to launch the appomattox recovery initiative to expand access to…

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded Horizon Behavioral Health $1.5 million on September 30, 2025, under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance program (CFDA 93.243) to launch the Appomattox Recovery Initiative.

The initiative will deliver evidence-based, trauma-informed substance use disorder and co-occurring disorder services to 185 underserved adults and transitional-aged youth in rural Appomattox County, Virginia over three years. Services include screening, intensive outpatient treatment, peer recovery support, harm reduction services, and case management delivered through Horizon's Appomattox Wellness Center. Evidence-based interventions encompass Community Reinforcement Approach, Moral Reconation Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and Illness Management and Recovery. The program also provides naloxone distribution, overdose prevention training, and tobacco cessation support.

The project targets justice-involved individuals and transitional-age youth, partnering with the Commonwealth's Attorney and Probation Office to identify participants and ensure same-day service access. Appomattox County, with a population of 16,700, has been designated a mental health and primary care health professional shortage area with a primary care ratio of 16,040:1 and an overdose death rate of 7 per 100,000.

Performance targets include serving 55 individuals in year one and 65 annually in years two and three; achieving 100 percent screening for substance use disorder, co-occurring disorder, and infectious disease within 10 days of intake; demonstrating 75 percent reduced substance use at six months; and engaging 90 percent of clients in peer support, case management, and pro-social activities. Performance period runs through September 29, 2028, with place of performance at Lynchburg, Virginia.

Appomattox recovery initiative: expanding access to evidence-based treatment and supports - horizon behavioral health proposes to launch the appomattox recovery initiative to expand access to evidence-based, trauma-informed substance use disorder (SUD) and CO-occurring disorder (COD) services for underserved adults and transitional-aged youth in rural virginia. The project will provide screening, intensive outpatient treatment, peer recovery support, harm reduction services, and case management to 185 individuals over a three-year period. The program targets justice-involved adults and transitional-age youth, offering an alternative to incarceration and addressing critical service gaps in a health professional shortage area. Appomattox county, with a population of 16,700, has been designated a mental health and primary care health professional shortage area. Residents face a 16,040:1 primary care ratio and a 7 per 100,000 overdose death rate. Horizon, the sole service provider, will partner with the commonwealth's attorney and probation office to identify eligible participants and provide same-day access to services through its appomattox wellness center. Key evidence-based interventions will include the community reinforcement approach (CRA), moral reconation therapy (MRT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (emdr), and illness management and recovery (IMR). Additional services include naloxone distribution, overdose prevention training, and tobacco cessation support. The project's measurable objectives include: • serving 55 individuals in year 1, and 65 annually in years 2 and 3 (185 total) • 100% screening for SUD/COD and infectious disease within 10 days of intake • 75% of clients demonstrating reduced substance use at 6 months • 90% of clients engaged in peer support, case management, and pro-social activities the project supports samhsa's goals to expand access, improve engagement, and reduce criminal justice involvement in high-need communities.