Horizon Awarded State Grant to Expand Behavioral Health Docket in Lynchburg
 
Lynchburg, VA – Horizon Behavioral Health was recently awarded a grant of $100,200 in State funds by the Supreme Court of Virginia to support the expansion of the Lynchburg Behavioral Health Docket. The docket is designed for individuals with serious mental illness who are involved in the legal system to provide wrap-around treatment for mental illness, promote recovery, avoid further legal involvement, and lead healthy and productive lives in their community. Funds from the grant will establish a dedicated coordinator to support participant engagement and expand the capacity of the program serving the 24th District.
 
Since the establishment of the docket earlier this year, the program has surpassed it’s goal to serve 7 participants in the first year and now expects to serve 10 participants in the next two months. The docket's significant and rapid growth is a testament to the outstanding need to integrate behavioral health treatment as an alternative to incarceration without necessary mental health treatment.
 
The Behavioral Health Docket is a collaborative initiative supported by the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, Horizon Behavioral Health, the Lynchburg Judicial System Public Defenders Office, the Lynchburg Police Department, the Department of Community Corrections, Liberty University, and Centra Health.
 
Together, we seek to provide an alternative pathway through the judicial system for individuals who are diagnosed with a Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and whose crime or offense is tied to their mental illness while balancing the need for public safety. Horizon Behavioral Health is the primary treatment provider for the docket, utilizing two evidence-based models for providing care which include Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and Illness Management Recovery (IMR).

“Horizon is proud to continue this collaborative effort to serve our community and establish innovative services,” said Melissa Lucy, Horizon CEO. “We are thankful for the continued support of the Supreme Court of Virginia and our community partners without whose collaboration this program would not be possible.”
 
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Horizon Behavioral Health has been the primary public behavioral healthcare provider in the Central Virginia region for more than 55 years. Horizon provides services to adults and children, addressing challenges with mental health, substance use and intellectual disabilities. Horizon is accredited by CARF International. This represents the highest level of accreditation that can be given to a behavioral health organization.