FY 2025 Annual Report
Sparking hope in the fredericksburg region
Sparking Hope
In Fiscal Year 2025, Rappahannock Area Community Services Board remained focused on what matters most—showing up for our community.
Despite ongoing workforce challenges, rising service demands, and a complex behavioral health landscape, our team continued to deliver essential, life-changing care. We served 21,332 individuals across our programs—children, adults, and families who relied on us for support, stability, and hope.
Thanks to dedicated HopeStarters and strong community partnerships, we bolstered programs and expanded access to make a difference in the lives of the individuals we serve.
Director's Message
As I reflect on this past year, I am filled with gratitude for the steadfast commitment of our staff, partners, and community. Every day, our HopeStarters showed up with compassion, talent, and an unwavering belief in the people we serve. Because of their dedication, 21,332 individuals received the support they needed—whether it was a listening ear, a path toward recovery, a safe place to grow, or a link to life-changing resources.
From expanding co-response efforts with local law enforcement to bringing Teen Mental Health First Aid to local schools, these efforts reflect our core mission: to promote wellness, recovery, and resilience for all.
To our staff, partners, volunteers, and supporters: thank you for your trust, your collaboration, and your belief in the work we do together. And to the individuals and families we serve: Thank you for allowing us to walk alongside you. Your courage inspires us every day.
As we look ahead, we remain committed to strengthening access, advancing recovery-oriented care, and ensuring that every person who turns to us finds support, dignity, and hope.
With appreciation,
Joe Wickens, executive director
Highlights
Strengthening Crisis Response
We expanded our co-response program, and now our emergency services therapists team up with law enforcement officers in the sheriff’s offices of Stafford and Spotsylvania counties.
Community Kindness in Action
Radio station B101.5 chose our day support program, Rappahannock Adult Activities, as one of four recipients of its $100K of Kindness Campaign, providing much-needed money and awareness.
Providing an MVP for mental health
Ramon Test, mental health case manager, was named Team Member of 2024 for the Spotsylvania Regional Behavioral Health Docket, which offers treatment over incarceration.
showing creativity and healing
We hosted our annual Art of Recovery, a monthlong exhibit featuring art from individuals with mental illness. Opening night included live entertainment and refreshments.
Sparking Hope for the Holidays
HopeStarters provided holiday gifts for nearly 100 individuals in our Permanent Supportive Housing and Assertive Community Treatment programs. This brightened holidays for individuals often overlooked during the holiday season.
Expanding Mental Health Support
We received a grant from the Mary Washington Hospital and Stafford Hospital foundations to provide a therapist in Fredericksburg City Schools. And, we partnered with two local high schools to implement teen Mental Health First Aid.
taking treatment
on the road
We purchased a van to launch our Mobile Recovery Unit, which will bring life-saving care directly to the people and places that need it most. The MRU will offer medication and intensive treatment on the go for individuals with opioid use disorders.
Growing Support Through Play
Healthy Families Rappahannock Area served 723 local families. The team held several events and continued to build its monthly community playgroups, including one for the residents of the Brisben Center for homeless families.
Our Mission and Values
RACSB is dedicated to education, recovery, treatment, and wellness of Planning District 16 residents affected by mental health and substance use disorders and developmental disabilities.
Our Values: Inclusion, Collaboration, Integrity, Resilience, and Excellence and Innovation
individuals served
received mental health services
received developmental disability services
received substance use disorder services
received early intervention services
were impacted by prevention services
served by healthy families Rappahannock area
received detention-based services
received school-based therapy
received therapy at safe harbor child advocacy center
guests stayed at sunshine lady house
dollars provided in financial assistance
Making a Difference in Our Community
Individuals Served By Locality
- Caroline County 8%
- City of Fredericksburg 16%
- King George County 8%
- Spotsylvania County 36%
- Stafford County 32%
Funding by Locality
- Caroline County 7%
- City of Fredericksburg 18%
- King George County 8%
- Spotsylvania County 35%
- Stafford County 32%
Individuals Served By Service Area
- Mental Health 76%
- Developmental Disability 6%
- Substance Use Disorder 6%
- Early Intervention 12%
Revenue Sources
- State 28%
- local 3%
- federal 3%
- fees 63%
- other 3%
Return on Investment
RACSB provides services to individuals regardless of ability to pay. In FY25, RACSB received $2,048,613 from localities and provided $2,333,933 in financial assistance to individuals seeking services in those localities.
“Before my RACSB experience here in Fredericksburg, I was homeless, using drugs, suicidal, and battling psychosis. I had five psychiatric hospitalizations last year alone.
I was living in a perpetual state of fear, anxiety, anger, depression, suicidal ideations, and having hallucinations on a daily basis.
I stand proud now. I believe in myself. I have learned to understand the positive qualities within me and learned more about my own mental health challenges and how to stay balanced with the coping skills I have learned.
RACSB gave me a home, a peer recovery specialist that understands and challenges me. I was assigned a therapist who listens and validates me and a case worker that helps me ensure my success as well as a psychiatrist who diagnosed me properly and has put me on a proper medication regimen.
Between all of those resources, including the groups I attend at Kenmore Club, I have found a place that welcomes me—a sense of belonging.
I have never felt so much better in my life, a state of mind I thought was impossible to achieve. I have started my life back at 36 years of age and have a future I look forward to and that I am so excited to experience!”
“Our family will never be able to thank you enough for the assistance provided to us. The services were excellent, staff went above and beyond to help all of us. This was a very difficult situation for our family, and it gave us mechanisms to continue moving forward. Wish you the best and please extend our gratitude to all the people involved in this program.”
“ Although this topic is serious, the instructors did a great job at creating a comfortable environment that allowed for participants to be transparent in their engagement and take breaks when needed.”
“My appreciation goes beyond my words here, and I wanted to share my thanks and gratitude for all the good folks of RACSB do, and, especially for what Jennifer has done for [my child] and our family. I am forever grateful.”
“This training turned me inside out and upside down in a good way. It made me think about trauma as it pertains to community circles.”
Success Stories
Moving Forward
Two individuals were able to overcome significant anxiety and explore our world. One individual had an extreme phobia of bridges, but after working with one of our therapists, she was able to overcome this fear and cross a large bridge to enjoy a beach vacation.
Another could not drive without panic attacks before seeking therapy. They have now been able to drive to visit other states.
Singing a New Song
A young man struggled with grief and mental illness and was hospitalized nearly every month. His treatment team came together to hold a cook-out karaoke event because of his love of singing.
While planning the event, he became more motivated to attend therapy and develop coping strategies, which helped him avoid hospitalizations. He also had a blast at the cook-out karaoke!
Finding Hope
One individual started receiving outpatient mental health treatment when significant depressive symptoms that impacted daily living activities. Through a lot of hard work in therapy and with medication, this person made substantial progress, now engages in self-care daily and enjoyes leisure activities. This individual has recently shared feeling more hopeful regarding their future as well as thankful for the support and services they receive at the RACSB.
Finding His Groove
When one individual came to live at Wolfe Street Intermediate Care Facility, he ate an extremely limited diet and rarely ventured into the community. Through person-centered supports and practices, he has grown to enjoy new foods and participating in a wide array of activities.
He’s taken part in Special Olympics bowling, train rides, live music events, drum circles, dance parties, cookouts, swimming, and so much more. He is a shining example that it’s not about what someone can’t do—it’s about discovering what they can do when offered choices, the right guidance, encouragement, and support.
Turning a New Page
Starting in the mental health residential program, one individual had significant mental health struggles. He refused to talk to other people, isolated himself, and sometimes wandered off.
A Place of Their Own
A mom joined Healthy Families Rappahannock Area while struggling with finances. She wanted a home with her baby daughter, but didn’t know where to start. Her family support specialist helped her find childcare assistance and a housing voucher, and the mom and her baby soon moved into their own home. Their support specialist helped them gather donations to furnish the space and make it their own.
Their first Christmas in that new home grew even brighter with help from HFRA’s annual holiday assistance program and connection to other community resources.
From fishing to foraging, FY25 was filled fun at RACSB. But our conferences, costume parties, and cookouts had one thing in common: Each moment was helping someone overcome challenges, find the right supports, and create a hope-filled future.
Check out some of our favorite moments.
We’ve got big plans for the future.
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