Mount Rogers Community Services

02/27/2026

We just wanted to highlight Ginny Moorer our Employee Excellence Award - January. (Yes, January. Sigh. We're trying to keep up and it ain't easy sometimes!)

For the definition of teamwork, look no further than Ginny. She is our program manager of Trauma and Wellness Services who loves working together and building things. Like the trauma-informed wellness program she built from scratch and has grown by more than 300%. (That’s not a typo!!!)

She also co-developed Connecting Humans and Telling Stories (CHATS). It’s a nationally recognized program that’s changing how we approach trauma-informed care. Link: https://www.emoryhenry.edu/calendar/event/75641-chats

Ginny is a role model and a steady, trusted leader and pitches in. Like in helping launch the CONNECT team this year to strengthen leadership and teamwork across Mount Rogers. Thank you, Ginny!

02/27/2026

📣 Virginia Parents: Your Child’s Access to ABA Therapy Is at Risk — Here's a Chance to Make Your Voice Heard!

Virginia lawmakers are considering changes that could dramatically limit access to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services for children across the state — including families not on Medicaid.

When Medicaid changes coverage rules, private insurance often follows. These proposals could mean:
✨ An arbitrary 20 hour per week cap on ABA — even when children need more.
✨ ABA restricted only to children with a formal autism diagnosis — even though families often wait up to 18 months for an evaluation.
✨ Children with other developmental needs may no longer qualify.
✨ Families in rural and underserved areas could lose essential support.

These changes would delay therapy, reduce the hours needed, disrupt progress, and create barriers when you need the most help.
________________________________________
📞 YOUR VOICE IS CRITICAL
Lawmakers need to hear from parents, not just providers.
👉 Take 2 minutes to contact your elected officials here:
🔗 https://fastdemocracy.com/campaigns/wADZTOlzN/Take-Action-to-Preserve-ABA-Services-in-the-Budget/

Share your story — two or three sentences makes a difference:
• How many hours of care your child receives and why they matter.
• Progress you’ve seen in your child.
• How long you waited for diagnosis or services.
How reduced or delayed therapy would affect your family.

Virginia lawmakers are considering changes that could significantly limit access to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services for children and families across our state. Even if your family is not on Medicaid, this still affects you. When Medicaid changes coverage rules, private insurance companies o...

02/27/2026

📣 Our final focus group is coming up fast, Smyth County!

Share your voice and shape the future of wellness resources in our community at our FREE focus group on Thursday, February 26 - lunch is on us!

Register now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1982447005359?aff=oddtdtcreator

02/26/2026

We offer hope and support for better lives at Mount Rogers and it's always great to meet with other providers with that same goal. On Feb. 25, we met with and give a tour of some of our residential support and recovery facilities to Nelson Smith and Timothy Hogan of Sobrius, an addiction treatment and drug rehabilitation company with locations in Galax, Bassett, and Lynchburg.

Mr. Smith, CEO at Sobrius, is the former commissioner of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Mr. Hogan is the director of business development at Sobrius.

Our CEO, Sandy Bryant, and our own Jackson Rosenbaum, a certified peer recovery specialist and recovery house manager, and others from Mount Rogers were on the tour. One of the highlights for us is when Jackson showed us the cleaning schedule. "We're clean here and we want to live clean," he said. 🧹🪠😁

After the tour, we sat down with the Sobrius team to go over our services and see how we may partner together to offer hope and support for better lives. Thank you, Nelson and Tim for the visit and great conversations!

02/26/2026

🎣Grab your partner and get on the water for a great cause!

Support our veterans and join us for our Fishing for Vets Tournament on March 28 at South Holston Lake! Spots are filling up fast - sign up today!

Register on the donations page of our website (link below) by March 13 and get $10 off the $50 per boat entry fee. Up to two anglers per boat are permitted.

We’ll be awarding great prizes to our top teams – including prizes for the BIGGEST FISH (bragging rights included 😉)! While this is not a cash payout tournament, winners will receive quality merchandise and/or gift cards. Prize packages are anticipated to meet or exceed the entry fee value.

Every dollar raised goes directly to support our veterans.

Register now - you don't want to miss this!

mountrogers.org/donate

02/25/2026

Today we welcomed members of the Saltville Police Department, Chilhowie Police Department, and Smyth County Sheriff's Office for a one-day Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) refresher course.

The bottom line: This training helps de-escalate in crisis scenarios, increases mental health awareness, and helps with compassionate crisis response.

We are strong advocates for public safety and thank our law enforcement partners for helping create safer, more connected communities by partnering with us in CIT training.

02/25/2026

🎣True fishing story: Late March is when the fish really start hitting on South Holston Lake! Support our veterans and join us for our "Fishing for Vets" tournament on March 28. Folks are already signing up! Sign up now on the donations page of our website (link below) through March 13 for $10 off the signup fee of $50 per boat. And yes, you can have up to two people on that boat. 😁 🐟🦈🐠🐋
https://www.mountrogers.org/donate/

All proceeds go to support our veterans!

02/24/2026

We had three productive meetings in Galax today with local law enforcement to talk about improving services for folks in crisis. We discussed moving forward on the state-mandated Marcus Alert System in our Mount Rogers Community Services region.

We appreciate the efforts of our law enforcement partners in the Independence Police Department, Galax Police Department, Carroll County Sheriff's Office, Grayson County Sheriff's Office-Virginia, the Twin County E-911, and the 988 center in Johnson City, Tenn.

The Marcus Alert System helps people who are having a mental health, substance use, or developmental disability crisis. It makes sure 911 and local crisis call centers work together so the person can get help from trained behavioral health professionals. It also requires police to get special training so they can respond safely and appropriately to these situations.

We see this system as a benefit to people in crisis, our local communities, and our vital law enforcement partners. Thank you for all you do!

02/24/2026

📣 Galax & Carroll County - there's still time to register!

FREE event – lunch provided – space is limited!

We want to hear from you! Join us at our focus group on Thursday, February 26 to chat about wellness resources in your community. Your input helps us understand what the community really needs.
Our current and future services are shaped by you!

All are welcome and encouraged to participate. Students, parents, teachers, caregivers, leaders, and community members – we want to hear your voice!

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1982301438966?aff=oddtdtcreator

02/23/2026

We are very thankful for our Building & Grounds team for their amazing work during all the recent (and future???) snow, ice, icy snow, snowy ice, and freezing temperatures. They did an excellent job of clearing and making safe our parking lots, sidewalks, buildings, and everything else related to building and grounds. Mount Rogers Community Services CEO Sandy Bryant awarded the team as the CEO Choice Award for Excellence for February.

Thank you to Director of Operations Kathy Cressel and her team: Lee Gray, Nate Totten, Bryne Worley, Wayne Bedsaul, Kevin Smelser, Lorrie Mitchell, Michael Duncan. (Not pictured: Jeff Repass, Neil Evans.)

"I couldn't think of a more deserving group than these guys," Kathy says. "And they're willing to be out at all hours. We're very appreciative."

"And they do it with a smile on their face," Sandy says.

Well done Building & Grounds!

02/20/2026

💜Thank you to all of our amazing, selfless caregivers for all you do as we celebrate National Caregivers Day!💜

02/20/2026

Looking for a supportive, upbeat home in Galax?
Kerri & Bobby Parnell have two Sponsored Residential openings and would love to welcome someone into their active, caring household!

They love concerts, beach trips, family time, and hanging out with their sweet beagle pup Izzy.

Kerri is a mental health nurse practitioner with a strong background in behavioral and medical care, and Bobby is a teacher with a great sense of humor. They’re experienced, kind, and passionate about helping people live full lives doing what they love.

🛏️ The available bedrooms are on the main level and ready to be decorated however you like!

📍Close to shops, day programs, and the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway.

💛Questions or want to visit? Contact Laura Beth Morgan at 276-920-4051 | laurabeth.morgan@mountrogers.org