Central Virginia Community Services

The History of CVCS

Mental health services were first provided in Central Virginia when the Woman's Club started a clinic, known as "The Guidance Center," on November 15, 1944. The center operated every other Wednesday except in the Summer.

On September 15, 1947, the Lynchburg Guidance Center opened as part of the Virginia Department of Mental Hygiene and Hospitals. The center was located in temporary quarters at the Woman's Club on Court Street. The founding of the Lynchburg Guidance Center was described in the July 1949 issue of The Ladies Home Journal.

Clinical services expanded to provide for Amherst and Campbell County residents in 1950. A year later, the center moved to the ground floor of the Guggenheimer Memorial Hospital. By 1960, the center was working with 144 people from the service area.

The 1968 General Assembly passed legislation encouraging local governments to develop local public agencies to provide mental health services to their communities. "Chapter 10 Boards" (from the Code of Virginia citation, 37.1, chapter 10) began to be formed as early as November 1968.

Central Virginia legislators formed the Central Virginia Mental Health Planning Commission, which first met in November 1968 to begin the process of uniting the six local jurisdictions under one Chapter 10 Board. Plans were finalized over the next several months and on April 18, 1969, a charter was approved for the new board. The first year's budget was $18,350.

1969	The Central Virginia Mental Health Planning Commission was renamed the Community Mental Health Services Board of Central Virginia.
1972	The LAARC School for children with developmental difficulties opened at Agudath Shalom Synagogue on Langhorne Road. Satellite mental health clinics were established in Appomattox, Amherst, Bedford, and Rustburg.
1973	Hudson House began with three clients and one staff member as a day activity program for mentally ill persons. The Alcoholic Rehabilitation Center of Central Virginia, Inc. (ARC) opened as a contractual program of the Board. Plans were made to merge the Lynchburg Guidance Center into the services offered by the Mental Health Board.
1974	The first halfway house for men with mental retardation opened. The Training Advocacy Counseling Team (TACT) was started. In 1984, the program was changed to Case Management Services. Drug Abuse Services Hub DASH) opened as the local drug abuse outpatient program directly operated by the Board.
1975	Students Organized for Developing Attitudes (SODA) began in Mountain View Elementary, Dearington Elementary, & Forest Elementary Schools. SODA continues today as a premiere prevention program in Central Virginia high schools and middle schools. The Lynchburg Guidance Center merged with the CSB, and the new entity was known as the Central Virginia Mental Health Clinics.
1978	Project Daniel became a direct program of the CSB. Drug Abuse Services Hub (DASH) merged with Community Alcohol Services and Education (CASE) to provide substance abuse treatment and education. The name was changed to ARISE in 1980.
1982	The Agency name was changed to Central Virginia Community Services Board. Prevention Services began with employees from each division. A residential facility for women with mental retardation opened.
1983	The Mental Health Residential Facility opened and was originally staffed by the Mental Retardation Division. Ownership of the Alcoholic Rehabilitation Center was transferred to CVCS, and the name of the program was changed to Arise Residential Center.
1986	The agency moved to newly built quarters at 2235 Landover Place.
1987	Bedford Residential Services opened as an adult home for eight people with mental retardation.
1989	The Kindred Homes Program was started for children with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED). Supervised apartments were added to the housing services offered by the Mental Health Division.
1991	The Timothy and Bethany Homes were built to offer ICF/MR services to eight young adults. The Consumer Advisory Council was established to involve consumers in the delivery of services.
1993	The Mental Health Group Home became the Haley Center to provide services to adults with serious mental illness living in the community.
1994	The MESA (Mutual Education, Support and Advocacy) program began for families of adults & children with serious mental illness.
1995	The Walk-In Center opened to provide walk-in intake and emergency services for mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse. The Pegasus program began providing intensive outpatient services to adults with serious mental illness.
1996	The Child & Adolescent Treatment Center moved to its own facility at 2214 Landover Place.
1997	The Langhorne Road Center opened to offer supported living and day health and rehabilitation services for adults with mental retardation.
1998	Central Virginia Community Services received a one year CARF accreditation for all programs surveyed. A psychosocial program was implemented at the Campbell County Counseling Center. The operation of the Amherst Group Homes was transferred from Central Virginia Training Center to Central Virginia Community Services.
1999	Central Virginia Community Services was awarded a Three Year accreditation from CARF for all programs surveyed. Landover Building Purchased CVCS Day, 30th Anniversary celebration
2000	FAST (Families and Schools Together) Application approved--services will be provided in collaboration with The Alliance for Families and Children and Prevention Services. Board of Directors approved contract for Courtland Building in Downtown Lynchburg. David Lloyd retained as consultant for agency reorganization. Respite license received March 9, 2000. $40,000 grant received from the Department of MHMRSAS for Census Reduction Project to purchase housing for those coming out of State Hospitals. Child and Family Services received an $85,000 grant and a $45,000 VOCA grant. On September 29, the Courtland Building was purchased by Courtland Services, L.P.
2001	New organizational structure for CVCS began. The Corporate Compliance Program was implemented, and the CVCS Code of Standards was developed. $1.2 million SAMHSA (Substance Abuse, Mental Health Services Administration) grant awarded to Child and Family Services.