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SAMHSA SOAR

Virginia

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Please select your state to view information and contacts for SOAR in your state. While there is SOAR activity in every state, there are not SOAR services available in every community.

State Information

Virginia SOAR State Team

State Team Lead(s):

  • Georgi Fisher
    Email: georgi.fisher@dbhds.virginia.gov
    Phone: 804-371-0802

TA Center Liaison:

  • Abigail Kirkman
    Email: akirkman@prainc.com
    Phone: (518) 439-7415 x5226

SOARing in Virginia

The SOAR effort in Virginia is an initiative designed to increase access to SSI/SSDI for eligible adults who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have a mental illness, medical impairment, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder. 

Individuals interested in training are encouraged to reach out to the State Lead or SOAR TA Center Liaison using the contact information above for more information about SOAR.
 
To find out more, visit the Virginia SOAR website.

Expectations of Participation in SOAR

In addition to completing the SOAR Online Course, individuals seeking to complete SOAR applications in Virginia must meet the following criteria:

  1. Agencies seeking SOAR training must provide services to homeless adults and be actively engaged with their local Continuum of Care or Balance of State coordinating bodies.
  2. Agencies must be actively involved in the local SOAR Project planning process for their communities and maintain an active role as the project continues (i.e., attend quarterly SOAR meetings)
  3. Individuals that complete the SOAR Online Course must also attend a one-day SOAR training prior to submitting SOAR applications. This training will be offered in the participants’ communities. However, in some instances, participants may need to travel outside their community to complete the training.
  4. Individuals must be willing to submit SOAR data to the SOAR State Coordinator on at least an annual basis.
  5. Individuals must adhere to the expectations of the state SOAR project as outlined by the local community plan in collaboration with our partners at the Social Security Administration and Disability Determination Services.
For clarification regarding any of these criteria please contact the SOAR State Team Lead. 

Local Leads:

  • Georgi Fisher
    Henrico County, Chesterfield County, Hanover County, City of Petersburg, City of Richmond, Colonial Heights, VA
    Email: georgi.fisher@dbhds.virginia.gov
    Phone: 804-371-0802

  • Kathleen Guilliams
    City of Roanoke, Roanoke County, Bedford, Christiansburg, City of Radford, Blacksburg, Pulaski, Floyd, Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth, Wythe and the City of Galax, and surrounding areas, VA
    Email: kguilliams@brbh.org
    Phone:

  • Kathleen Heredia
    Co-Lead: Cities of Charlottesville and Clarksville, Counties of Bedford, Danville, Franklin, Henry, Pittsylvania,Patrick, VA
    Email: kheredia@piedmontcsb.org
    Phone:

  • Joshua Jones
    Richmond, VA
    Email: j.jones@dbhds.virginia.gov
    Phone: 804-405-2363

  • Cheryl Knight
    James City County, Williamsburg, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk and the Eastern Shore of Virginia, VA
    Email: cknight@wtcsb.org
    Phone:

  • Krysta Pearce
    Alexandria, VA
    Email: krysta.pearce@alexandriava.gov
    Phone:

  • Megan Samples
    Fredericksburg, VA
    Email: megan.samples@gwregion.org
    Phone: 540-642-1581

  • Lauren Tolly
    James City County, Williamsburg, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk and the Eastern Shore of Virginia, VA
    Email: lauren.tolly@jamescitycountyva.gov
    Phone:

  • Jessica Wenger
    Co-Lead: Cities of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudon, Prince William, Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Oakton, Winchester, and Manassas, VA
    Email: jessica.wenger@alexandriava.gov
    Phone:

SOAR for Children Leads:

  • Georgi Fisher
    Henrico County, Chesterfield County, Hanover County, City of Petersburg, City of Richmond, Colonial Heights, VA
    Email: georgi.fisher@dbhds.virginia.gov
    Phone: 804-371-0802

State Events

Events List

No Events currently exist for this state.

State Jobs

No Job postings currently exist for this state.

State Documents

Filename Description

Success Stories

  • Using SOAR Tools Helps New SOAR Practitioner

    Published Date: 22 May 2024

    Michael Lynn, a SOAR-trained practitioner from Commonwealth Catholic Charities in Richmond, Virginia, shares his experience using the SOAR model for the first time.