40 Years of Service 1970 - 2010 - Rappahannock Area Community ...

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Celebrating 40 Years of Community-based Services Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB) marked 40 years of service to the community with a celebration event on June 12, 2010 at the Ronald W. Branscome Building (600 Jackson Street, Fredericksburg). In 1968, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation authorizing local governments to establish Community Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services Boards. This would allow community services to be established at the local level to best meet the special needs of each locality. The anniversary event featured: free food; live entertainment provided by singer Amy Clark, Devon Drive Group Home Manager and Rappahannock Area Kids on the Block; Blue-Gray Therapy Dogs; face painting by Connie Melvin, Intellectual Disability Residential Specialist; children activities; moon bounce; Fredericksburg Fire Department; Stafford County Sheriff’s Office and McGruff the Crime Dog and RACSBs Specialized Transportation Program. RACSB program areas had information booths where attendees could learn more about specific services provided by the agency. In 1970, the Frank C. Pratt Chapter of the Mental Health Association of Fredericksburg voted to provide the required funds to match state appropriations for the establishment of a local Community Services Board and encouraged the local governments to form a regional board as a link in the growing state network. That year, with a staff of less than ten, the Rappahannock Area Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services Board was established. Forty years later, RACSB has grown to 30 facilities with more than 400 staff members. Mental health services are provided to nearly 7,000 individuals annually. Another 3,000 individuals with substance use disorder receive services from RACSB. Almost 1,500 individuals with intellectual disability are supported in their home community. Early Intervention Services are provided to 500 infants and toddlers with developmental delays. More than 10,000 individuals benefit from RACSB Prevention programs. As RACSB celebrates its 40th anniversary, appreciation is extended to the various individuals and community organizations that have supported RACSB and the individuals we serve over the years. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the 40th anniversary event a success! Booksigning with Doris Buffett and Mike Zitz Local philanthropist and friend of RACSB, Doris Buffett was a big draw to the 40th anniversary celebration. Ms. Buffett was joined by biographer Mike Zitz to sign copies of her new biography “Giving It All Away: The Doris Buffett Story.” More than 100 copies were sold at the event. A portion of the book sales benefited RACSB. RACSB and Executive Director Ron Branscome are mentioned in the biography in the chapter titled “Mental Illness and the Buffetts” (page 189). Through The Sunshine Lady Foundation, Ms. Buffett pledged $2 million to RACSB in 2008 to construct an expanded 12-bed Crisis Stabilization Program at The Sunshine Lady House for Mental Health Wellness & Recovery. The donation also paid for the renovation of 818 Lafayette Boulevard into an eight-bed long-term boarding house for adults with serious mental illness. These two state-of-the-art facilities greatly enhance residential options for individuals living with mental illness in our community. Both became operational in 2009. The Fredericksburg community is fortunate to have Doris Buffett, sister to Warren Buffett, as a resident. Through her Sunshine Lady Foundation, Ms. Buffett has donated more than $100 million of her own money to charities and individuals. To learn more, visit www.sunshinelady.org. 10 www.racsb.state.va.us Summer 2010
Celebrating 40 Years of Community-based Services The Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB) extends sincere appreciation to the 40th anniversary program sponsors and organizations donating services for the event. The anniversary program was printed compliments of Stafford Printing. The Fredericksburg Hospitality House and Conference Center donated accommodations. Party Headquarters, located in the Doc Stone Plaza, donated the moon bounce. Culligan Water Company of Virginia donated several cases of bottled water. Full-page advertisers: Half-page advertisers: Quarter-page advertisers: ● Abbott Reshape and Revive ● John and Marie Kunlo ● Little Tire Co. ● National Alliance on Mental Illness - Rappahannock ● Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging ● Jack and Patricia Rowley Thank you to Roxbury Farm & Garden Center for assistance decorating the informational tents with beautiful hanging baskets. Summer 2010 www.racsb.state.va.us 11
Page 1 and 2: Celebrating 40 Years of Service Qua
Page 3 and 4: Board of Directors Elects Officers
Page 5 and 6: Establishing a Secure Drop-Off The
Page 7 and 8: Sixth Annual “The Art of Recovery
Page 9: Community Impact Award Presented to
Page 13 and 14: Support for Veterans and their Fami
Page 15 and 16: Recovery Month Celebration “The D
Page 17 and 18: Employee Changes January - June 201
Page 19 and 20: H. Rex Holland Employee of the Mont

40 Years of Service 1970 - 2010 - Rappahannock Area Community ...

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