It is my understanding that the proposed changes will limit or eliminate Oxford Houses operating in the Commonwealth.  As a professional in community behavioral health who oversees mental health and substance use services I can attest to what a loss it would be for the New River Valley and many communities across Virginia.  In the local area, Oxford House has been the only resource for many individuals in our communities who are in early recovery.  Without Oxford House these individuals would likely have been homeless and thus at much higher risk of relapse and more vulnerable generally. 

Research has demonstrated the efficacy of Oxford Houses in helping residents avoid relapse, become more financially self-sufficient, and avoid re-arrest or incarceration.  Given this efficacy and the well recognized positive impact of peer support it seems short sighted to eliminate this resource as an option for Virginians.  The benefit of Oxford House extends beyond that to the individual resident and includes societal cost savings through lower rates of homelessness and lower incarceration rates. 

We have been alerted by our local Oxford House partners that changes to regulations that would require business insurance, incorporation, and employed staff members to field complaints will effectively eliminate Oxford House operations in Virginia.  Having all recovery residences operate as businesses will create, even if unintentionally, will create an environment in which some of the most vulnerable Virginians, those without financial resources and health insurance, will not have access to these important supports. 

I sincerely hope the Board will reconsider these regulations.