WHEREAS, Horizon Behavioral Health supports and promotes the health, independence, and self-worth of individuals and families in Central Virginia by providing high quality services to people of all ages who are struggling with mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disability issues; and

WHEREAS, originally known as Central Virginia Community Services, Horizon Behavioral Health began providing services for the treatment of mental illnesses and intellectual disabilities on April 18, 1969, with a staff of five people and a budget of $18,350; and

WHEREAS, Horizon Behavioral Health now has more than 720 staff members at 25 locations and 19 area schools; it partners with three private hospitals, four state psychiatric facilities, three correctional facilities, four federally qualified health centers, the free clinic, and countless client homes throughout Region 2000, providing services to more than 17,000 individuals, with an operating budget of more than $51,000,000; and

WHEREAS, for five decades, Horizon Behavioral Health has faithfully served the Counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, and Campbell and the City of Lynchburg, providing quality behavioral health services to thousands of citizens of all ages; and

WHEREAS, Horizon Behavioral Health provides programs and services to children, adolescents, adults, and their families, including emergency care, assessment, psychiatric evaluation, medication management, crisis intervention and stabilization, residential services, day treatment, assertive community treatment, intensive in-home care, psychosocial rehabilitation, mental health supports, early intervention, case management, outpatient counseling and prevention, and intermediate care; and

WHEREAS, ably led by a dedicated board of directors, the hardworking staff of Horizon Behavioral Health seek to provide services in a manner that preserves the independence, dignity, choice, and privacy of their clients; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Horizon Behavioral Health on the occasion of its 50th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Horizon Behavioral Health as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the organization's contributions to the health and wellness of communities throughout Central Virginia.