Virginia expands recovery high schools with OAA funding, technical assistance

The Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority and state education and behavioral-health officials described ongoing efforts to expand recovery high schools for adolescents during an Abatement Academy webinar. Officials said four recovery high schools are now operating in Virginia, supported by opioid settlement funds, state planning awards and technical assistance.

The webinar, led by Charlie Lenticum, director of operations for the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA), featured Karen Grabowski, Child and Adolescent Program Specialist with the Office of Child and Family Services at the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS); Justin Savoy of Chesterfield Recovery Academy; and Roger from the Association of Recovery Schools.

Recovery high schools combine a state‑accredited academic program with recovery supports for students working toward abstinence or other individualized recovery goals. "All students enrolled must be in recovery and working a program of recovery," Grabowski said. She stressed the schools are "operational schools" capable of awarding a secondary diploma and are not treatment programs that replace clinical care.

Why it matters: presenters said these schools address gaps for adolescents who struggle to attend traditional high schools because of substance‑related triggers, and that early intervention can reduce long‑term social and health costs. The OAA and DBHDS have used settlement funds to underwrite planning, transportation and startup operations, while the Department of Education has led a community‑of‑practice to support new sites.

Statewide expansion and funding

Charlie Lenticum described OAA awards and how grant recipients have been selected. He said OAA made an initial award to DBHDS to identify locations for recovery high schools, and that the authority has since awarded funds to support Chesterfield Recovery Academy, Virginia Beach, and a planning award for Waynesboro/Augusta/Stanton. Lenticum noted a new DBE/Department of Education award to provide technical assistance takes effect Oct. 1. He also reminded listeners that "school boards cannot apply directly to the OAA for funds"; localities (cities, counties, state agencies) must be the applicants.

Implementation timeline and outcomes

Grabowski summarized the legislative history and rollout: initial legislation supporting Chesterfield passed in March 2020 but was delayed by the COVID‑19 pandemic; Chesterfield Recovery Academy opened in August 2022. She said DBHDS and the Department of Education later pursued planning and technical assistance for additional schools. As of the webinar, Grabowski said four recovery high schools were operating in Virginia: Chesterfield Recovery Academy (opened August 2022), River Ridge Learning Center (Waynesboro/Augusta/Stanton partnership, opened 08/06/2025), a Loudoun County program (opened in August 2025; speaker gave the date as "I think it was August 21; it might have been the 20"), and Harbor Hope Center (Virginia Beach regional program, opened 09/02/2025).

Grabowski reported outcomes from Chesterfield Recovery Academy: a highest enrollment in a year of 31 students, 19 high‑school graduates, representation from eight school districts, a total of about 60 students served since opening, "a collective 300 months of sobriety" and "over 3,000 hours of clinical services provided." She and Justin described transportation and regional referral strategies as central to serving students across DOE Region 1.

Program design, clinical approach and operations

Grabowski explained program elements: certified teachers and administrative staff to meet state diploma requirements; clinical staff, recovery coaches or peer specialists as available; individualized recovery plans; and an abstinence‑focused program that also recognizes harm‑reduction principles. "We're meeting youth where they're at," she said, describing flexible approaches when students continue substance use while remaining engaged in a recovery plan.

Justin Savoy described Chesterfield's response when students return to use: staff discuss stressors and lessons learned, engage families, and treat drug‑screening as an informational, not punitive, tool. "Transparency is, like, the biggest key," he said. Grabowski added that schools maintain policies that can limit continued enrollment if a student’s behavior compromises others’ safety but also keep the door open for students who re‑engage in recovery.

Technical assistance, accreditation and best practices

Speakers described state and national supports: DBHDS and the Department of Education organized community‑of‑practice sessions; OAA funded contracting with the Association of Recovery Schools to provide targeted technical assistance; and Chesterfield is pursuing national accreditation through the Association of Recovery Schools (which requires three years of operation before full accreditation). Roger from the Association of Recovery Schools praised Virginia’s coordination and the role of local leaders.

Presenters emphasized implementation best practices: a dedicated full‑time school leader, uniform data collection, clear referral pathways, transportation plans for regional programs, partnerships with treatment providers and higher‑education recovery communities, and budgeting for sustainability. Grabowski said communities should assess local adolescent treatment capacity and recovery capital before opening a school.

Questions from participants

During Q&A, a participant asked how Chesterfield handles return‑to‑use incidents; Grabowski and Justin explained counseling, case reviews, family engagement, and written policies that define when continued enrollment is appropriate. Another participant asked about youth peer support; Grabowski said the state has not yet established a formal process for adolescent peer providers and that models vary by community. She noted Chesterfield partners with Virginia Commonwealth University "Rams in Recovery" for young adult peer support.

Outlook

Speakers said Virginia plans to continue technical assistance and convenings, work on consistent data collection and sustainability strategies, and encourage schools to pursue national accreditation when eligible. Charlie Lenticum said OAA staff are available to advise localities about applying for settlement funds through local governments.

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