County and LCPS outline prevention, treatment and a recovery high school; officials cite prevention gains but note unmet need

Loudoun County behavioral-health officials, LCPS staff and law enforcement on Sept. 15 told the joint committee about countywide prevention, treatment and recovery efforts aimed at reducing youth substance use and overdose risk.

"Prevention is one of the most powerful tools we have in protecting our youth," said Evan Braff, Loudoun County opiate response coordinator, describing county efforts that include training, community outreach and coordination across schools, law enforcement and community-based organizations.

Braff and Margaret Graham, director of the Loudoun County Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Services (MH SADS), described programs that aim to build awareness and capacity, including Naloxone (Narcan) training, mental-health-first-aid courses, and prevention curricula delivered through the Raising Education Achievement and Leadership (Camp Reel/Club Reel) programming. Braff said 687 youth participated in the prevention programs last year and 87% "improved or maintained their prevention skills." LCPS staff and the sheriff's office were identified as partners in delivering those programs.

Jennifer (Jen) Evans, LCPS director of student mental health services, described school-centered supports. LCPS has expanded student-assistance specialists from 19 to about 30 positions to increase prevention and intervention capacity at secondary schools, Evans said. She reported Naloxone training for more than 1,500 staff and said the district provides Narcan kits in schools.

Evans and county staff announced a high-school recovery program currently operating at North Star School in Leesburg; LCPS staff said the proposed name to take to the school board is "RISE Academy" (Recovery, Inspiration, Strength, Empowerment). Evans described it as a step-down, recovery-support program in which students remain concurrently enrolled with their home schools and receive individualized instruction and recovery-oriented services. The program will include restorative practices, wellness time, peer-recovery specialists and links to community recovery organizations such as Serenity House and the Chris Atwood Foundation.

Evans cited national estimates to frame local need: she told the committee that the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed approximately 8.5% of youth in the relevant age group have a substance use disorder; applying that percentage to LCPS's approximate secondary enrollment of 46,000 yields an estimate of about 3,900 students who may meet clinical criteria for a substance use disorder. Evans presented that number as an estimate to illustrate scale and said many students are not identified by school-based discipline alone.

County officials said they are expanding psychiatric services for children and adolescents and are conducting a comprehensive opioid needs assessment and strategic plan. Margaret Graham said the county and five Northern Virginia jurisdictions are partnering on a Northern Virginia youth detox and crisis stabilization center to provide short-term intensive care; she said the project has a bid awarded and that the center was funded with contributions from the five jurisdictions and a grant from the Opioid Abatement Authority.

Officials emphasized collaboration with community-based organizations, and with peers and families. Evans noted parent guidance coaching and a navigation tool (Care Solace) to reduce barriers to finding outpatient providers.

Committee members asked about location, capacity and staffing. Supervisor Ciccone asked where the recovery program is located; LCPS staff said it is at North Star School in Leesburg and will occupy a separate wing "for at least a few years" with separate transportation and no interactions with other students. Committee members asked about psychiatrist recruitment; Margaret Graham said MH SADS received approval to add two positions (a child and adolescent psychiatrist and an addiction-certified psychiatrist) and that recruitment is underway.

Officials portrayed the approach as prevention-focused and collaborative but warned that service gaps remain, including workforce shortages and wait lists for specialty care. No formal committee action was taken; staff said work will continue on needs assessment, staffing and budget planning.