Board approves annual performance contract with Dickenson County Behavioral Health Services

The Dickenson County Board of Supervisors approved the fiscal-year performance contract with Dickenson County Behavioral Health Services after a public hearing and a presentation by the agency director.

David Mullins, identified in the meeting as the Behavioral Health director, told the board the document is the annual performance contract the agency signs with the state listing funded services and the state funding amount. "It's just the performance contract that we do with the state every year. It lists out what services we provide and basically what money they give us to provide those services," Mullins said.

Mullins said the agency's budget has grown from just over $4 million when he took over to "just over $8,000,000 now," and that staff numbers have roughly doubled. He described that growth as a reflection of community need rather than a point of institutional pride: "I'm not saying that in a in necessarily a positive way. I mean, it's a it's a shame that we've had to grow the way we are, but, you know, there's a lot of need in this county, unfortunately."

Mullins also described local programs, including Resilience Ridge at the former Clintwood Elementary, a partnership with the schools that serves 8 to 12 students at a time with therapeutic and educational services in smaller-classroom settings. He said several other community services boards had visited to study the program and peer services for substance use.

Following the presentation, a supervisor moved to approve the performance contract. The motion passed on a voice vote recorded as "Aye."

The board did not change the contract's funding terms at the meeting. Mullins said he would answer questions by the board and described ongoing efforts to expand services and partnerships locally.