The ARMS Reach Program (Access to Rural Mental Health Services) literally takes mental health services “on the road” to low income, uninsured patients.  This program sends post-graduate “Fellows” to rural, often isolated areas, to provide counseling services in homes, doctors’ offices, schools and other familiar locations.   Transportation and stigma barriers are removed for patients, and the “Fellows” receive the training needed for licensure.

Last year, ARMS Reach provided more than 2,100 hours of counseling. As a result, there was a 66% reduction in ER visits by the program’s patients during this time, saving the local hospital over $1 million in charity care costs.

2007: CHIP of Roanoke

2006: Mental Health Association of the New River Valley

2005: Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems, Inc.

2004: Olde Town Medical Center, Williamsburg

2003: Eastern VA Telemedicine Network, Norfolk

2002: Lloyd F. Moss Free Clinic, Fredericksburg

2001: Northern Virginia Dental Clinic

2000: Lay Health Promoter Program of Cross-Over Health Center