The Henry County Board of Supervisors approved a grant application on Tuesday that, if awarded, would enhance the region’s ability to support individuals undergoing emergency crises related to mental health and substance abuse.
County Administrator Dale Wagoner said the county’s request to the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority is part of a regional project between Henry, Patrick, and Franklin counties, the City of Martinsville, and Piedmont Community Services (PCS).
Henry County will serve as the fiscal agent for the grant.
“The goal of the project is to expand the capacity and support to individuals undergoing emergency crises related to mental health and substance abuse and to reduce the burden on local law enforcement agencies,” he said.
While he doesn’t have an exact amount because the budget is still being finalized, Wagoner said approximately $4.2 million in grant funds will be requested, and if awarded, used for renovation and operational costs for PCS’ Crisis Intervention Team Assessment Center (CITAC).
“The center is tentatively planned to be located in the City of Martinsville, within 500 feet of the county line. So, it would be most advantageous for the county and the city cause we” don’t want to “transport those inmates outside of our community. It’s beneficial to it being in our communities,” Wagoner said.
The grant does not require a local match, and PCS, a local non-profit, will manage all aspects of the project.
“It does not impact any of the local money that already came to Henry County or any of the monies specifically designated to Henry County,” Wagoner said. “This is an application for a specific pool of money that must be a regional project.”
PCS owns a building on Memorial Boulevard that will house the center. Currently, CITAC only has the capacity to accept four individuals on an emergency custody order. This limitation, in addition to the inability to clear aggressive or medically compromised individuals, has increased the burden on local law enforcement who must dedicate on-duty personnel to accompany the individuals for the duration of their stay at the hospital.
Wagoner said PCS plans to renovate space in the building for the center and establish different phases for those it can treat including “what they call 23-hour, those that are temporary,” crisis unit that can treat eight adults and six children, and a crisis stabilization unit which can treat 12 adults and eight children.
The grant funds will be used to create a 16,000-square-foot crisis intervention center that can provide services to six adults and two children. In addition, PCS will add a medically managed withdrawal section to support individuals in need of detoxification. The organization is currently in the process of obtaining its pharmacy license and other necessary prerequisites to provide 24-hour care.
The organization is currently in the process of obtaining its pharmacy license and other necessary prerequisites to provide 24-hour care.
Wagoner said the idea of the center began about six months ago, but discussion with all of the jurisdictions became really serious about a month and a half ago.
“The grant deadline is April 1, so we’ll submit the grant application by April 1. Then we’ll hear by July 1,” he said.
Two other similar programs in Virginia were approved in the last grant cycle, Wagoner said.
“So, we feel like we got a good thing as long as the money’s there to fund it. I don’t think it’s frivolous or anything like that. Hopefully, it could be started before the end of the year, up and running,” he said.
In other matters, the board:
*Approved a solar siting agreement with Sunny Rock Solar, LLC as presented.
County Attorney George Lyle said the project will be located in the Ridgeway District near the intersection of Joseph Martin Highway and Soapstone Road.
“The project would be about a 97-acre solar panel farm. It would produce 20,000 megawatts a year, and it requires, as proposed, no exceptions to the county’s solar ordinance,” he said.
*Approved the items of consent.
*Heard the monthly report of delinquent tax collection efforts from Treasurer Scott Grindstaff.
*Approved a proclamation recognizing April 7-13 as National Library Week in Henry County.
*Approved a resolution recognizing the 70th anniversary of the Fontaine Ruritan Club.
*Approved giving Friday, March 29, or Good Friday, off to the county’s paid staff.
*Heard from Garrett Dillard, of the Iriswood District, about the need to allow board members to vote during meetings they are attending virtually.
*Approved an additional appropriation of $35,226 received from the Circuit Court Records Preservation Grant Program.
*Awarded a contract to Sheehy Ford for $78,617 to purchase two 2024 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles.
*Approved an additional appropriation of $3,584 received from the Virginia State Police H.E.A.T. grant program.
*Approved an additional appropriation of $40,000 from vehicle insurance settlements.
*Approved an additional appropriation of $25,000 from The Lester Group for sponsorship in the S.E.E.D. program.
*Approved an additional appropriation of $4.7 million from the 1% Sales Tax fund for new construction and renovations at Laurel Park Middle School and Bassett High School.
*Denied a request to rezone approximately 22-acres in the Iriswood District from Suburban Residential District (S-R) to Agricultural District (A-1).
*Approved a request to rezone approximately 3.8-acres in the Iriswood District from Suburban Residential (S-R) to Commercial District (B-1). The applicant intends to market the property, and an adjoining commercial property, for proposed business purposes.
*Approved a request to rezone approximately 0.6-acres in the Blackberry District from Commercial District (B-1) to Limited Industrial District (I-2). The applicant intends to use the existing garage building as a beverage mixing and bottling company.
*Reappointed Len Dillon and Steve Isley to the Industrial Development Authority for four-year terms scheduled to expire on March 31, 2028.
*Reappointed Paul Setliff, Richard Reynolds, and Jeff Prillaman to the Planning Commission for four-year terms scheduled to expire on March 31, 2028.
*Appointed Stuart Bowman to the Planning Commission on an unexpired term scheduled to expire on March 31, 2025.
*Appointed Brenda Metz to the Southern Area Agency on Aging Board on an unexpired term scheduled to expire on Nov. 1, 2024.
*Heard an update on general highway matters from Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Resident Engineer Lisa Price-Hughes.
