By: Maria Paula

The first wave of grants from the national opioid settlement has been received in Henrico County as it works to enhance the damage caused by the opioid epidemic, particularly to mothers and their young ones. The county is working to strengthen its programs and services for individuals working to recover from substance use disorder.

In June, the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority announced $23 million in grants collected from the state’s share of payments, manufacturers and distributors, of prescription opioid in 2022. This amount will be distributed in 76 cities and counties to address epidemic caused by opioid abatement and facilitate remediation efforts.

More payments from settling companies are expected to be made for at least 16 extra years, money authorities project could exceed $1 billion.

This year, Henrico received a total of $870,511 from three grants. $700,311, which is the bulk of the amount will be used to fund an enhanced outpatient treatment program for pregnant and parenting women with substance use disorders. The program, which is expected to start in September will serve up to 30 women at a time together with their children.

Leslie Stephen, who was recently promoted to assistant director of Henrico Area Mental Health & Development Services, MHDS, shared the initiatives intention in working to support these women on their recovery journeys and help them be the mothers they want to be.

“This is an innovative approach that was developed with input from many people, including mothers in treatment, the recovery community, treatment and medical providers, law enforcement and the Department of Social Services,” said Stephen.

The program which will be managed by a general supervisor, two case managers and a peer support specialist will assist with housing costs, link the families with services based on an assessment of their needs, including medical, childcare, transportation and behavioral health support.

“When you think about those kids’ future, this is a preventative measure for the next generation. It’s not only treatment for the moms, but it’s prevention for the kids,” added Stephen. “What we want is to have people come into services and start or continue their recovery journey.”

With only one recovery home in Henrico currently able to accommodate a mother and a child, Stephen hopes that more recovery homes will begin serving families with the now available funds to pay the associated higher reimbursement rates.

The program initially available to residents of Henrico, New Kent and Charles City, could eventually expand to other parts of the state since Henrico received $100,000 to study the service gaps and resources needed to support pregnant and nursing mothers across the region. This includes the city of Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield and Hanover. Additionally, Henrico received $70,200 to expand its office-based opioid treatment program, funds expected to pay for additional prescriber hours. With the hope of expanding mobile services as well, this boost will in turn increase the availability of medication-assisted treatment for substance use.

“The lack of resources specific to pregnant and parenting mothers with substance use disorder is a big problem in our area,” said Stephen. “This study will allow the region to identify and then fill gaps in services.”

Since late April, MHDS has sent a mobile treatment unit once weekly to the Henrico Arms Apartments – an area identified through the county’s mapping of overdose “hot spots.” The pilot program was established in partnership with the Henrico Health District, which is providing use of a van outfitted as a medical clinic and staffed by a clinician, peer support specialist, nurse and prescriber.

In the mobile unit’s first three months, 160 individuals visited for services, gaining from the resources, and staff distributed 87 doses of Narcan, a nasal spray drug, that can temporarily revive someone following an opioid overdose. Among those served was a woman who was trained to administer Narcan three years ago and was excited to get more Narcan as she shared her excitement on how accessibility to the medication helped her revive lives six times.

MHDS’ focus on addressing the residents’ needs appears to be paying off. Stephen said only one overdose has occurred at Henrico Arms Apartments since the mobile unit started in the spring, contrary to the previous year when 40 overdoses were recorded within a mile of the community.

“It’s a great partnership with the property management. Like us, they’re focused on community wellness. It’s really building those trusting relationships, so the residents who need help will come,” Stephen said.

Henrico’s efforts come as the opioid epidemic continues to take a heavy toll on society. In 2022, the county recorded 78 fatal overdoses from opioids and other drugs, more than double the number of motor vehicle deaths at 32 and homicides at 30.