Senator R. Creigh Deeds removed his mask and spoke to the large masked gathering for the “Ribbon Cutting Celebration for Alleghany Highlands Community Services” in Covington on Tues., June 7.
Rain prevented the “Ribbon Cutting Celebration” from being conducted outdoors at the masked event, and Deeds, who was not listed as a speaker in the program flyer, has a keen interest in improving mental health care in Virginia.
He praised the AHCS for its work and for the work that will be done at the new Behavioral Health and Wellness Annex.
Teresa Hammond, executive director of the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, welcomed those in the crowded room and introduced Kathleen All, president-elect of the Chamber before Deeds made his remarks.
All praised the work being done by AHCS as did Mayor Tom Sibold of the City of Covington, Jeff Irvine, mayor of the Town of Clifton Forge; and Terri McClung who was representing the Alleghany Highlands Economic Development Corporation.
Ingrid Barber, executive director of AHCS, thanked Anne Dean for her contributions and noted that a room in the new facility has been named for her.
Stephanie Clark, who is starting a new church, was also invited to speak as she stood beside Deeds. Clark praised the efforts being made to restore some of the services that were interrupted during the coronavirus pandemic.
In a written statement inside the flyer handout, the impact of the pandemic was revealed, “Prior to COVID-19, office space in our clinic was limited and shared by case managers, nurses, drug court staff, psychiatrists, peers, and clinicians.”
Continuing it read, “Our clinic setting did not allow for social distancing and optimal service delivery due to the fact that office space was shared amongst staff. It was a constant shuffling game of office space to allow for service delivery while protecting confidentiality and maintaining HIPPA compliance.”
Additional information was included, “Because of the pandemic, AHCS purchased a small building across the street from the clinic operations to separate and expand outpatient services and allow for social distancing. The new building will house 9 offices and a large conference room for meetings, training and/or group services.”
AHCS plans to house child and family services separate from adults, prevention services and services rendered to veterans.
The new facility will enable AHCS to return to full operations, and a one-time grant from the Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services assisted AHCS with providing furnishings and fixtures for the new office and group space.
Closing remarks were made by Board Chair of AHCS Brenda Woodie and Barber before the ribbon cutting took place in the entrance area of the facility.
AHCS began in 1983 and is one of 40 community services boards and behavioral health authorities that has been established under the Code of Virginia, and it currently operates 10 sites throughout the Alleghany Highlands while employing more than 130.