Contact: Trina Lambert 
Communications Manager
Highlands Community Services
610 Campus Drive • Abingdon, VA 24210
276.619.5315 • tlambert@highlandscsb.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Highlands Community Services (HCS) Announces Operational Status Related to COVID-19
ABINGDON, VA (April 6, 2020): HCS continues to serve the community throughout unprecedented times and uncharted waters created by a public health crisis sweeping the globe. In response to Governor Northam’s statewide “Stay at Home” order, further measures have been implemented agency-wide to maximize infection control efforts
“As an organization dedicated to improving lives and sustaining the well-being of others in our community, we have been on the forefront of taking precautionary measures in regard to the situation surrounding COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and service continuity,” says Rebecca Holmes, Executive Director. “Our primary focus continues to be the health of our staff, our consumers and our community.”
Operations have been scaled back and restricted due to the state of emergency, however ongoing clinical services are still being prioritized and provided using methods such as Telehealth for video and audio conferencing.
With limited full program closures, all facilities other than our CITAC location are now closed to the public, and staff are working remotely and on rotation. Programs for adults and children remain fully operational under Telehealth delivery methods, including enrollment of new consumers as staffing capacity will allow. Community-based day support programs are not operational at this time due to current health and safety concerns for consumers and staff.
Emergency Services also remain available 24 hours a day for anyone experiencing a mental health emergency. Call 276.525.1550, and press 7, to be directed to a crisis worker.
Recognizing that individuals will struggle with anxiety during this time of change and uncertainty, HCS continues to expand and update online resources for the community: HighlandsCSB.org/Resources.
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Highlands Community Services is a multi-faceted Community Service Board providing mental health, substance use and developmental services to the residents of Washington County and Bristol, Virginia. Serving thousands of individuals each year, their goal is to provide a full continuum of care and to increase access to innovative behavioral health services by “improving lives and discovering possibilities” along the way. To learn more, please call 276.525.1550 or visit HighlandsCSB.org.
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