Horizon Behavioral Health Receives $4 Million Grant to Expand School-Based Services

CENTRAL VIRGINIA — Horizon Behavioral Health has received a $4 million federal grant to expand school-based behavioral health services for students across Greater Lynchburg.

The four-year grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will support services in public schools in Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell counties and the City of Lynchburg. The expansion is expected to begin during the 2026-27 school year.

The program will serve children and young adults ages 5 to 21 who have serious emotional disturbance, or SED, or are considered at risk of developing SED. Students experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma-related and behavioral disorders, early psychosis or co-occurring substance use disorders may be among those receiving services.

Over the four-year grant period, Horizon expects to provide care coordination to approximately 1,095 students and mental health services to about 1,425 students. The funding will also expand behavioral health screenings and outreach and increase the use of evidence-based therapeutic practices.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, and that starts with making sure they have access to the support they need when they need it,” Horizon Behavioral Health CEO Melissa Lucy said. “This investment allows Horizon to bring more behavioral health services closer to where young people live, learn, and grow, while strengthening our partnership with local schools and families.”

Horizon said one of the goals of the expansion is to make behavioral health care more accessible to students while improving coordination among schools, families and service providers and increasing the number of young people successfully connected with services.

“Investing in the health and wellbeing of today’s youth is strengthening the future of our entire community,” said Lesli Sedwick, Horizon's director of school-based services. “It is a tremendous honor to serve alongside our committed public school system partners to see this expansion come to fruition.”

Horizon was one of 22 organizations nationwide selected to receive funding through the competitive federal grant program.