Shenandoah Community Health Clinic in Woodstock serves Page, Warren
~ Press release provided by Shenandoah Community Health Clinic
WOODSTOCK — A new initiative at the Shenandoah Community Health Clinic is working to connect adults struggling with addiction to recovery programs by leveraging the experiences of trained specialists who navigated substance use disorders themselves.
The HOPE Initiative program – modeled after a successful program pioneered by the Bradley Free Clinic in Roanoke – connects those struggling with addiction with recovery services. Driven by Certified Peer Recovery Specialists (PRS), trained individuals with lived experience, those in need receive the support required to navigate the complexities and difficulties of treatment and recovery. The PRS work collaboratively with the Shenandoah Community Health Clinic medical, behavioral health, and dental team to provide one-stop, integrated care to patients. Access to services is free for patients and open to any over the age of 18.
“We know that peer recovery programs work,” said Leigh Sicina, Executive Director. “We’re proud to offer this important support to patients living in the Shenandoah Valley. Our team is here for people on their recovery journeys.”
The clinic partnered with the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (VAFCC) and the Bradley Free Clinic to launch this evidence-based program. Funding support was provided by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation which granted the VAFCC $500,000 to replicate the HOPE Initiative across Virginia. Shenandoah Community Health Clinic is the third clinic to launch this program.
Almost half a million adults in Virginia have a substance use disorder and for more than a decade, fatal drug overdoses, fueled by opioids like fentanyl, have been the leading cause of unnatural deaths in the Commonwealth. According to the Virginia Department of Health in 2023, the death rate for drug overdoses in the Shenandoah and the surrounding counties of Page and Warren were higher than in many other areas of the state.
“We’re proud to expand the HOPE Initiative through another trusted free clinic partner, helping us reach even more individuals battling addiction,” said Rufus Phillips, CEO of VAFCC. “Free clinics are deeply rooted in their communities, and that trust makes them the ideal setting for delivering this proven model of treatment and recovery.”
The VAFCC’s mission is to provide essential advocacy, support, and resources to the Commonwealth’s free and charitable clinics, helping to ensure Virginia’s medically underserved have access to quality health care. To learn more about VAFCC, our membership, and who they serve, visit www.VaFreeClinics.org.
Shenandoah Community Health Clinic (SCHC) is a nonprofit medical, dental, and behavioral health clinic dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable care to uninsured and underinsured individuals in Shenandoah County and surrounding areas. For over 24 years, SCHC has served as a vital safety net for the community, offering compassionate, patient-centered services regardless of ability to pay. The Clinic works to reduce barriers to care, improve health outcomes, and strengthen the overall well-being of our community through strategic partnerships, education, and outreach.
For more information about the program, including how to access recovery support resources as well as healthcare services, visit the Shenandoah Community Health Center website.
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