Henrico County, Virginia Wins $1.7M Grants for Recovery Programs

People in Henrico County, Virginia, living with addiction got a boon recently when the county secured $1.7 million from the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority for 2027. It’s the largest award Henrico has seen to date. 

The funding will support 13 initiatives covering prevention, treatment and long-term recovery. Residents are especially excited about a mobile medical unit and care now expanded to county fire stations.

A Record Grant for Behavioral Health in Henrico County

The grant comes from national legal settlements involving pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors and retailers. They’re committed to fighting the continuing opioid epidemic. In this case, the Empower Henrico Task Force will oversee the county’s allocation.

“It has been a game changer. We did not have funding like this prior to the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority,” noted Leslie Stephen, assistant director of Henrico Area Mental Health and Developmental Services (MHDS). 

Mobile Unit Covers Three Counties

One major boost is the expansion of the MHDS Mobile Medication-Assisted Treatment Program. The agency will employ four full-time staff members dedicated to the mobile unit in Henrico, New Kent and Charles City counties. 

At a time when state budget cuts have threatened other mobile units, the funding will definitely be a game changer. The unit brings harm-reduction supplies and naloxone directly to hard-to-reach communities. A clinic that comes to their neighborhood can make the difference between starting treatment and trying to cope by themselves.

Firefighters Start at the Overdose Scene

The grant will also let the Henrico Division of Fire offer more than naloxone during overdose responses. Eligible patients may receive medication-assisted treatment as part of the emergency response. They’ll also be connected to MHDS for continued treatment and counseling.

That approach treats an overdose as the start of care rather than an isolated incident.

The funding also aids pregnant women experiencing drug misuse and their children. Many people who struggle with drugs or alcohol also live with depression, anxiety, or trauma-related conditions, aka dual diagnosis treatment. The county’s investment in healthcare, counseling, and social support for families reflects that coordinated care.

Naloxone Cabinets in County Libraries

The Empower Henrico Task Force already installed naloxone distribution cabinets at the Libbie Mill and Fairfield libraries and at MHDS offices. These medications can overcome overdoses from fentanyl and other opioids. The new money will build cabinets at the Twin Hickory, Tuckahoe, and Varina libraries and at the county’s Department of Social Services. Nearly 600 boxes of naloxone already went to community members for free.

Medication matters for everyone, not only folks who use drugs. 

Treatment in The Old Dominion & Beyond

If you or someone in your family is living with addiction, depression, anxiety, or another behavioral health condition, don’t wait for a crisis to look for care. Our browsable directory lists mental and behavioral health treatment facilities anywhere in the country.

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Quentin Blount

Content Manager

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Quentin brings nearly a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and digital publisher to his role as Content Manager for Rehab.com. He aims to help people better understand their treatment options by creating engaging and informative content that is user-friendly, factually accurate, and optimized for search engine visibility. In his free time, Quentin enjoys the company of his friends, family, and his dog, Coop.

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Peter Lee, PhD

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Peter W.Y. Lee is a writer and historian of American history during the Cold War. His primary focus is the relationship between youth and popular culture and its impact on U.S. society during the twentieth century. He has published widely on how the public has used popular culture as a mechanism to address political and social shifts throughout time