Implementation | Healthy Appalachia

Blueprint Implementation

The Southwest Virginia Health Authority and the Healthy Appalachia Institute are pleased to sponsor local projects addressing priorities outlined in the 2023-2024 Blueprint for Health Improvement and Health-Enabled Prosperity.

Blueprint for Health Improvement and Prosperity: SVHA Program Guidelines

Purpose

The Southwest Virginia Health Authority (SVHA), established by the Virginia General Assembly, drives health transformation for underserved Appalachian communities. Our mission: elevate access, enhance health, address regional issues, advance technology, boost accountability, engage academia, strengthen the health workforce, and foster collaboration.

Foundation

In 2022, USDA’s REHC funding fueled the Virginia Consortium for Advancement of Health Care in Rural Appalachia. Led by SVHA and partners, this initiative targets critical health barriers across Lenowisco, Cumberland Plateau, and Mount Rogers, implementing strategic actions from the 2023-2024 Blueprint for Health Improvement.

Core Priorities

Expand Health Access: Enable remote monitoring for high-risk patients and telehealth in libraries, pharmacies, and senior centers.
Combat Substance Use: Integrate care for child abuse, primary and behavioral health, trauma therapy, and job training for recovery.
Promote Nutrition & Exercise: Support nutrition education, diabetes prevention, and physical activity.

Download Guidelines

Awarded Community Partners

Appalachian College of Pharmacy

Will establish telehealth access points in for chronic disease management in Food City pharmacies. Patients with diabetes are the target population for this project which aims to improve access to care and to chronic disease outcomes by utilizing virtual clinics that are conveniently located in pharmacies. Medical providers, pharmacists, and pharmacy staff coordinate the treatment and management of diabetes in locations providing health food and medications.

Mountain Empire Community College

Will fill a key role for regional community health workers by providing an online training program as an independent career studies certificate or a stackable credential with other health care programs. The program will be conducted in partnership with local health care providers. The culturally tailored and localized nature of this program will increase access to health care, particularly behavioral health services, in the region while also providing residents with an avenue toward a meaningful and critical source of employment.

Mount Rogers Community Services

A regional behavioral health services provider, will expand comprehensive behavioral health and integrated primary care services specifically addressing substance use disorders related to trauma and poverty. Services will be provided through home visits, via telehealth, and at a rural clinic in Grayson County using a no wrong door approach. The project will support a full-time Registered Nurse (RN) who will serve as a client navigator and service coordinator, facilitating access to psychiatric care, RN care coordination, Office-based Addiction Treatment (OBAT), and integrated primary care services.

Stone Mountain Health Services

An FQHC serving the northwestern portion of the study region, will acquire and implement enhanced telehealth access for patients across eleven primary care locations serving seven counties in Southwest Virginia. The equipment will significantly improve behavioral health services and physical exam capabilities in rural areas with limited access to urgent care or same day medical evaluations outside of an emergency department visit.

Mountain Empire Older Citizens

A regional aging and public transit provider serving three counties in the study region, will provide nutrition and exercise services in congregate settings and places where gather as well as via telehealth through permanent kiosks and mobile platforms. It would also provide outreach to recipients of its home delivered meals service addressing healthy nutrition and exercise. MEOC will employ a registered dietitian who will be available to address issues impacting nutritional literacy and to provide one-on-one nutrition counseling. MEOC will train and employ a telehealth navigator to take a mobile platform where needed and provide support to users. MEOC will offer Bingocize, an evidence-based falls prevention program that provides education and exercise to increase balance, flexibility and strength, with a goal of reducing falls among older persons. MEOC’s Mountain Laurel Cancer Support and Resource Center will teach an Understanding Cancer workshop. The telehealth navigator will assist individuals in receiving primary/specialty follow-up care via telehealth.

The University of Virginia College at Wise

Will provide targeted interventions that merge nutrition literacy education with physical activity in PE classes at LF Addington Middle School. The primary goal of the Eat Smart and Play Strong Program is to promote nutrition literacy among middle school students through physical activity-based learning. By integrating nutrition education into routine PE classes, the program aims to instill basic nutrition and healthy dietary habits that contribute to students’ overall health and well-being.

Tri-Area Community Health

An FQHC serving the southeastern portion of the study region, will establish an express care clinic and pharmacy with telehealth access in the only, and recently closed, hospital in Grayson County Virginia. The clinic is focused on providing urgent care for medical needs and some limited behavioral health needs, including in-person and telehealth services for local students in partnership with the county high school. This facility will also provide labs for patients who are seen at regional telehealth-only sites.