The Regional Commission’s Community Health Program supported the submission of the renewal for FY26 funding of the NRV Recovery Ecosystem program. This program continues to integrate across prevention, treatment, recovery and harm reduction measures to address opioid abatement in the New River Valley. The program coordinates these elements to develop structural changes to root out impacts of addiction and support wellness across the region. Montgomery County serves as the fiscal agent for NRV Recovery Ecosystem project. Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski counties and the City of Radford are cooperative partners in the effort with both regional and local programming initiatives within the project. Additionally, there are nine (9) funded service agencies supporting the project in FY26: NRVRC, New River Valley Community Services, New River Health District, New River Community Action, Community Health Center of the New River Valley, New River Community College, New River Valley Senior Services, Giles Health & Family, and Instill Mindfulness Center. The FY26 proposal submission budget is $4.2M. This includes matching funding from local government of just over $400K and an expected carry forward from of FY25 of $400K.
Highlights for the FY26 program include:
- Completion of 6 bed expansion at New Life in-patient treatment center with NRVCS
- Development and staffing of Peer Center facilities in Floyd and Giles Counties
- Expanded hours and drivers for on-demand transportation to support access to work and treatment
- Increased engagement and support of prevention and trauma education in public schools and communities
The NRVRC Community Health team has been promoting the work of the NRV Recovery Ecosystem through the anti-stigma campaign (@TogetherNRV), through blog posts (www.NRVRoadtoWellness.com/NRVRecoveryEcosystem) and through presentations and training in the region and across the state. At the end of April, Holly Lesko shared information about the work with the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce's Leadership NRV group on their Community Health day of programming.
For more information contact Holly Lesko, hlesko@nrvrc.org.