Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grant Program - Horizon Behavioral Health, in partnership with a diverse consortium, seeks to enhance behavioral health services in Campbell and Appomattox counties, two rural areas designated as Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas (MHPSAs), through HRSA regular track funding. This project addresses critical unmet needs for adults aged 18 and older experiencing mental health and substance use disorders (MH/SUD), particularly justice-involved individuals who face systemic barriers to care. Guided by HRSA’s priorities, the initiative targets populations disproportionately affected by health disparities, including those living in poverty and individuals with co-occurring disorders, to improve access, reduce disparities, and promote long-term recovery. Horizon qualifies for the HPSA funding preference because its catchment area is located in a designated HPSA. The project integrates two evidence-based models, Illness Management and Recovery (IMR) and Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), designed to address behavioral health challenges in underserved populations. IMR empowers individuals to set recovery goals and build self-management skills, while ACT delivers multidisciplinary, team-based, and mobile services to individuals with complex needs. Over four years, the program will enroll 150 unduplicated clients, delivering tailored interventions through in-home visits, telehealth services, and mobile care teams to mitigate barriers such as transportation and stigma. Horizon Behavioral Health will leverage its established infrastructure and a robust network of consortium partners to implement and sustain the program. Key collaborators include departments of social services, local probation offices, and the Central Virginia Health District. Together, the consortium will provide wraparound services that address both clinical and social determinants of health, including housing, employment, and access to transportation. Justice-involved individuals will benefit from targeted interventions, supported by the recent expansion of probation facilities to include on-site behavioral health services. This project prioritizes culturally competent care and equity-focused interventions, ensuring services are responsive to the diverse needs of the community. To evaluate the program’s impact, Horizon will use validated tools, such as the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), and track metrics including client engagement rates, reductions in hospitalization, and improvements in quality of life. Regular consortium meetings and data-sharing protocols will facilitate real-time monitoring and continuous quality improvement. Additionally, the program aligns with HRSA’s emphasis on sustainability by integrating Medicaid billing codes, expanding partnerships, and establishing a sustainability task force to identify additional funding sources. By addressing systemic inequities and fostering collaboration, this project aims to create a replicable model of integrated behavioral health care for rural populations. Horizon Behavioral Health’s proven success in managing federally funded programs, coupled with its commitment to underserved communities, positions this initiative to make a lasting impact on health equity and access to care in Central Virginia. This effort aligns with HRSA’s mission and supports the federal priority to improve the health and well-being of rural communities.
