Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Healthcare Access topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Community Health Center seeks opioid‑abatement support for new building to expand addiction and dental services
Summary
The Community Health Center of the New River Valley requested the Board consider using opioid‑abatement authority funds to help pay architectural and construction costs for a new facility intended to expand medication‑assisted treatment, behavioral health and dental capacity.
The Community Health Center of the New River Valley asked Montgomery County supervisors on Feb. 10 to consider opioid‑abatement funds and other county support for a planned new facility on Acres Farm Road that would expand behavioral‑health, substance‑use and dental services.
"Our mission ... is to provide accessible health care to all residents of the New River Valley regardless of their ability to pay," CEO Michelle Bronze told the Board. Bronze said the center — a federally qualified health center that began as a free clinic — served 6,117 patients with about 30,473 visits last year and employs nearly 100 staff across multiple sites. She said roughly 1,900 people are currently on a dental waiting list.
Bronze described a two‑phase funding request that would first help offset A&E (architectural and engineering) costs and then construction costs for a new clinic the center plans to break ground on in May, subject to financing. She said the new building’s square footage makeup includes about 44% dedicated to substance‑use, mental‑health or prevention services; the center estimates the expanded facility could serve an additional 1,200 patients annually.
County Administrator Angie Hill told the Board staff will research whether opioid abatement authority funds can be used for construction costs and noted the county already has some set‑aside funds from opioid settlements and OAA disbursements. Hill and Bronze agreed staff would prepare more information for a follow‑up discussion at a future meeting.
Why it matters: the Community Health Center provides medical, dental, behavioral‑health and medication‑assisted treatment (office‑based addiction treatment, or OBAT) across the New River Valley; expanding capacity would affect access to addiction treatment and dental care for low‑income residents.
Board reaction: supervisors thanked the presenters and asked for details on funding, service capacity and program distinctions relative to the New River Valley Community Services Board. Bronze said the center is the largest provider of medication‑assisted treatment in the New River Valley and described its OBAT model as integrated primary care, counseling and peer support. Several supervisors requested more detailed financial and program information before the Board considers any appropriation.
Clarifying details: CHC served 6,117 patients and 30,473 visits in the most recent year; staff count nearly 100; approximately 1,900 people on the dental waiting list; center seeks two phases of OAA‑linked funding (A&E and construction); planned ground breaking in May (timeline subject to financing and approvals).
