The Virginia Human Services Training Center Concludes Successful Run

Following the graduation of the eleventh class of Virginia's Human Services Training program on September 7, 2011, the program will be suspended for the foreseeable future. Various factors, including the current economic climate and low enrollment numbers, have resulted in the suspension of the program at this time. This decision follows thoughtful conversation with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

We are suspending the program with a sense of celebration for 11 highly successful years for this consumer provider training program. We celebrate the significant accomplishments and efforts of the 104 Virginians in recovery from serious mental illness who have participated in VHST. Our graduates have earned 21 college credits and a Human Services Certificate from Piedmont Virginia Community College. We are proud of their accomplishments as students as well as the unique and valuable perspective they now bring to the workplace as mental health professionals.

The success of VHST would not have been possible without the support and dedication of all those who have collaborated in its operation, including the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services, the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Piedmont Virginia Community College, Region Ten Community Services Board and all the other agencies, both public and private, who have sponsored, supported, and hired our students.

We are planning a formal celebration of the program for late September. For details or inquiries contact:

Paul Abrams, VHST Director
500 Old Lynchburg Road, Charlottesville VA, 22903
434-970-2148
pabrams@regionten.org