Serving Rockbridge and Bath County,
& the Cities of Buena Vista and Lexington.

Kimberly Shaw - Executive Director Michele Mathis - Chief Financial Officer Don Sherman - Director of Operations Wendy Mace - Director of Developmental Services Greg Hornback - Director of Clinical Services Samantha Hoke - Director of Community Based Behavioral Health and Prevention

Ann-Ashby McKissick, Chair Rockbridge County Perlista Yvonne Henry, Vice Chair Bath County Vacant Rockbridge County Torben Pedersen Rockbridge County Kevin Kendall Rockbridge County Donna Prince Rockbridge County Steve Funkhouser Rockbridge County Gail Mason Bath County Lori Hicks Bath County Michael Gilmore Lexington City Leonard Denicola Lexington City James Gire Lexington City Brent Styler Buena Vista City Chris Plogger Buena Vista City Michael Gibbons Buena Vista City Board Minutes RACS Board of Director's Executive Meetings - 2024 Schedule Below

It is the mission of RACS to promote health and wellness through the provision of behavioral health, substance use, developmental and prevention services.

Developed and governed by a Board of Directors representing each of the four localities served by our programming, RACS has grown along with the many communities it serves. Since 1982, RACS has been the primary resource for mental health, developmental disabilities, substance abuse, and prevention services in the Rockbridge Area. With offices and programs all over the Rockbridge Area and qualified, dedicated staff, we are available to meet the diverse needs of our communities. Historical Markers Jan. 1955: Rockbridge County Mental Health Association forms. Nov. 1963: Mental Health Association sponsors first mental health services available in Rockbridge area. July 1968: Rockbridge Mental Health Services becomes part of State Mental Health Clinic system. Clinic, located at 11 Randolph Street in Lexington with only part-time staff, moves to Public Health Department building on White Street later in the year. Jun. 1973: First meeting of Rockbridge Mental Health Clinic, Inc. The purpose of the corporation is to establish, construct, and maintain a mental health clinic to serve all of Rockbridge County including the Cities of Lexington and Buena Vista Jan. 1977: Rockbridge Mental Health Clinic becomes a full-time clinic as William Dorfman, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist, is hired as full-time Director. Oct. 1979: Dedication of new Rockbridge Mental Health Clinic at 315 Myers Street in Lexington. Nov. 1982: Formation of Rockbridge Area Community Services Board serving Rockbridge County, Lexington, Buena Vista, and Bath County (through contract). July 1983: Rockbridge Area Community Services Board responsible for provision of mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse services in Rockbridge area. Clinic staff members become employees of Community Services Board. Alcohol and drug services provided through contract with Alcohol Services of Rockbridge, Inc. (ASOR). Sep. 1983: Michael Gilmore hired as Executive Director/Chief Clinical Officer for Community Services Board. May 1989: Eagle’s Nest Clubhouse moves to 101 E. 29th Street in Buena Vista Apr. 1992: Bath County Board of Supervisors passes a resolution to officially join RACS. Feb. 1996: Board breaks ground for Rockbridge Meadows group home. Sep. 1996: Board establishes a group home in Millboro and names it ‘Wellman House’ honoring community advocate Hall Wellman. May 1998: Agency relocates administrative offices to 410 Mason Drive. June 2000: RACS establishes a group home at the Arc Acres farm in Natural Bridge. Dec. 2000: Established a transition house in Buena Vista. Mar. 2002: Intellectually and Developmentally Disabled Adult Day Activity program relocated Apr. 2002: Bath County Adult Day Activity program moves into Rudy Via Center in Millboro. Feb. 2003: Michael Gilmore accepts new position as Executive Director at Alexandria CSB. July 2003: Dennis Cropper hired as Executive Director. Sep. 2004: RACS purchases a fifth group home, Deer Haven, in Buena Vista. July 2005: Groundbreaking for new consolidated facility at 241 Greenhouse Rd. in Lexington. May 2006: Moved into new facility on Greenhouse Road. July 2007: Opened Transition House 2 in Buena Vista Sep 2007: Purchased land for new Magnolia Center May 2008: RACS applies for a Federal Byrne Grant allowing the agency to form a Crisis Intervention Training Program for local law enforcement for training on intervening with clients in a mental health crisis Nov 2009: Fire at Bacova outpatient office destroys building; the office moves into Warm Springs in January 2010 June 2011: Moved Bath County Clinic to Mitchelltown Jan 2012: Construction begins for Magnolia Center, a day support program for intellectually & developmentally disabled individuals Dec 2012: Magnolia Center opened on Village Way Oct 2015: Dennis Cropper retires as Executive Director Nov 2015: John Young appointed Interim Executive Director Apr 2016: John Young hired as Executive Director June. 2016: RACS receives funding from DBHDS to implement and support a Crisis Intervention Team Assessment Site. Partnership between RACS, local law enforcement and local hospital. October 2016: Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Assessment Site opens, located within the Carilion Stonewall Jackson Hospital October 2018: John Young resigned as Executive Director of RACS October 2018: Irma Bailey appointed Acting Executive Director of RACS March 2019: Kimberly Shaw hired as the Executive Director of RACS April 2019: Mental Health services in Bath Co. relocated from Mitchelltown to Bath Community Hospital Oct 2019: Sold the Rudy Via Center in Millboro Jul 2019: RACS implemented Same Day Access Nov 2021: The board approved the partnership with Project Horizon (Rapid Rehousing program) May 2022: Signed lease to re-open Bath County Office Sept 2022: The board approved the new mission statement. The Rockbridge Area Community Services mission is to promote health and wellness through the provision of behavioral health, substance use, developmental and prevention services. May 2023: The board approved the new RACS logo.