The SB838 workgroup is still deliberating on recommendations — due to the General Assembly by Nov. 1 — aimed at strengthening oversight, transparency and resident rights in Virginia’s recovery housing industry. Since my last update, members have held a second round of subgroup meetings and reconvened for a full workgroup session. This is the first […]
Over the past week and a half, someone has launched a significant online sabotage effort targeting this project. As of a few hours ago, this includes an Instagram account impersonating an advocacy page that is run by a member of RVA’s recovery community. These efforts are unfolding in real time, so please be extremely cautious […]
The SB838 workgroup — tasked with making recommendations to strengthen oversight and transparency in Virginia recovery homes — will hold its second full public meeting from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, in the Patrick Henry Building at 1111 E. Broad St. Going forward, I will post the workgroup schedule and links to related […]
Last winter, Melissa saw a notification on her daughter Elizabeth’s email account: a $50 payment from Starfish Recovery. When asked about her involvement with Starfish, Elizabeth divulged that Frank Bellanger — owner and CEO of the Richmond recovery housing company — had been paying her for “content.” At the time, Elizabeth was in and out […]
Virginia’s legislatively mandated recovery housing workgroup held its first two subgroup meetings virtually last week. Each was set to tackle a different set of recommendations related to improving oversight, transparency and resident rights in recovery housing, as delineated in Senate Bill 838, sponsored by state Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-Henrico). The back-to-back meetings included stakeholder presentations […]
The first two subgroup meetings of the SB838 workgroup will be held virtually this Tuesday, June 24. Subgroup 1, focusing on requirements for recovery housing certification, will meet from 1:30 to 3 p.m. From the Event Details page of the Commonwealth Calendar: Subgroup 1: Requirements for Certification will focus on the following parts of the […]
Last Thursday, the Richmond Times-Dispatch published a story with the headline, “State cuts off money to agency supporting halfway homes for recovering addicts.” Reporter Luca Powell wrote: Language in this year’s budget takes nearly $2 million away from the Virginia Association of Recovery Residences, or VARR. The organization certifies group homes, of which there are […]
The Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources is getting a head start on convening the legislatively mandated workgroup charged with making recommendations to improve oversight and transparency in Virginia recovery homes. The first meeting, which is open to the public, will be held from 10 a.m. to noon tomorrow, May 29, in […]
*This post contains two updates. Gov. Glenn Youngkin is recommending the General Assembly add language to the recovery housing oversight bill that would allow the state to revoke sober homes’ temporary certifications for “serious health and safety concerns.” Sponsored by Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico, Senate Bill 838 aims to improve oversight, transparency and resident rights […]
Bagby, now a candidate for Dem party chair, brushes off concerns about his close relationship with VARR.
A bill to provide oversight of Virginia recovery homes passed unanimously in the state Senate last week and survived its first hearing on the House side this morning. Sponsored by Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico, Senate Bill 838 aims to improve oversight, transparency and resident rights in Virginia sober homes by 1) mandating state certification of […]
A Virginia recovery housing bill survived its first hearing today in the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services. Senate Bill 838, sponsored by state Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-Henrico), aims to create a path toward independent oversight of all Virginia recovery residences, establish protections for sober home residents and ensure transparency with the public. While […]
Senate Bill 838 — which 1) mandates state certification of all Virginia recovery homes and 2) convenes a workgroup under the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to revamp the certification process (to include establishing rights for sober home residents) — was not heard last week as scheduled. The bill was re-referred to the Senate […]
At the beginning of 2023, Joel Hughes opened a recovery home for men at the entrance of Stonehenge Farm Road in rural Powhatan County. He found the home’s generous accommodations and peaceful surroundings a perfect fit. The Stonehenge house was one of just two sober homes Hughes was operating through his small nonprofit, Tri-Hope Life […]
Jan. 16 Update: SB 838 was not presented this morning as scheduled. It was re-referred to the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services. I will provide another update once the bill is placed on that committee’s docket. Senate Bill 838 — the one I covered earlier this month that 1) mandates state certification of […]