Category Archives: Uncategorized

Two Local Youth Suicides Show the Need for Gun Safety and Mental Health Support

Our community is grieving the loss of two middle school students who died by suicide.  In both cases, the young people had access to unsecured firearms.  These heartbreaking events are part of a larger and deeply troubling trend.  Suicide is now the second leading cause of death for youth in Virginia.

In rural areas like ours, youth suicide is more common.  Here’s why:

• Easy access to firearms:  guns are more likely to be present and unlocked in homes.
• Firearm lethality:  a suicide attempt with a gun is fatal 9 out of 10 times.
• Impulse factor:  many youth decide and act within minutes; even a short delay can save a life.
• Isolation and stigma:  youth may struggle silently, and signs of distress can go unnoticed.

What can you do?  Lock and Talk.

• Lock up firearms:  Store guns locked, unloaded and separate from ammunition.
• Get free gun locks:  available through Encompass Community Supports, law enforcement, and your local health departments.
• Talk openly:  Ask your kids how they’re feeling.  Discuss safety and mental health, especially if they seemed stressed or different.
• Ask other adults:  When your child visits a friend or family member, ask how guns are stored in that home.

These tragedies remind us how much we all matter in keeping kids safe. We are a strong, caring community—let’s show that care by making sure guns are stored safely, and by checking in with the young people in our lives.

We work with Fauquier Mental Health Association to offer Mental Health First Aid training. It teaches how to spot a mental health crisis, how to talk about it, and how to help. You can sign up here:
https://www.fauquier-mha.org/mental-health-first-aid-courses

Need help finding a counselor or therapist? The Fauquier Mental Health Association’s website has a list of local providers. You can also call your child’s school counselor for support and guidance.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is here:

• Call or text 988 – the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
• Call (540) 617-0774 – ECS’ 24/7 Crisis Services Line

Keeping firearms locked, unloaded, and ammunition stored separately reduces suicide and accidental injury risk by about 70%.  Lock and talk. It could save a life.

Last week, the Trump Administration released its proposed FY 2026 budget for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Thanks to strong advocacy, there’s encouraging news for the Older Americans Act (OAA).

The Good News:

The Administration reversed its earlier plan to split up OAA programs. Instead, all OAA programs will now move together into a newly renamed agency called the Administration for Children, Families, and Communities (ACFC).  This keeps aging and disability services connected under one roof and helps ensure continued coordination of essential services for older adults and caregivers.

Key OAA and aging programs remain funded, including:

• Home & Community-Based Services (Title III B)
• Nutrition Programs (Title III C)
• Family Caregiver Support (Title III E) – with a funding boost
• Elder Abuse Prevention & Ombudsman Programs (Title VII)
• Senior Medicare Patrol, State Health Insurance Counseling, and Adult Protective Services

The Bad News:

Despite these wins, the proposed budget eliminates or deeply cuts other vital programs:

• Chronic Disease Self-Management Program – eliminated
• Falls Prevention – cut by 66%
• Alzheimer’s Support Grants – cut by 50%
• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), and Section 202 Housing for the Elderly – eliminated or drastically reduced
  • ECS’ Leaflin Lane, a subsidized senior living apartment for people over 62 with very low income, was made possible through Section 202 Housing

 What Happens Next:

This budget is a blueprint.  Congress will decide what gets funded through appropriations. 

What You Can Do:

Your voice matters. Continued advocacy is essential to protect aging services, Medicaid, SNAP, and the community programs so many rely on.  We’ve made progress; let’s keep going.

• Call your Members of Congress today.  You can find their contact information at: house.gov and senate.gov
• Send a letter using the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s draft:  https://thenationalcouncil.quorum.us/campaign/107658/

KFF (formally the Kaiser Family Foundation) recently released a brief titled “5 Key Facts About Nursing Facilities and Medicaid”, outlining how proposed Medicaid cuts could significantly impact the quality of care in nursing facilities — even for residents who are not enrolled in Medicaid.

Medicaid plays a vital role in supporting long-term care. Approximately 1.2 million older adults receive care in 15,000 nursing facilities across the U.S. Higher staffing levels are directly linked to better outcomes in these settings. Medicaid helps states fund nursing facility care by increasing staff payment rates and incentivizing better staffing levels. Cutting this funding could lead to staffing reductions and diminished care quality for all residents, regardless of their Medicaid status.

Key Findings from the KFF Report:

• Medicaid covers the majority of nursing home residents.  Over 60% of nursing facility residents rely on Medicaid to help cover the cost of their care.

• Medicaid covers 44% of long-term institutional care costs, making it a cornerstone of funding for older adults in the U.S.
• Proposed Medicaid cuts threaten quality of care.  Funding cuts could cause states to lower reimbursement rates, likely resulting in staff cuts, lower care quality, and poorer outcomes for all residents, not just Medicaid enrollees.

• Changes to eligibility could limit access.  Stricter requirements may make it harder for older adults to qualify for Medicaid, creating barriers to necessary care.
• Staffing standards for long-term care facilities are under debate.  A recent court ruling struck down a rule requiring minimum staffing ratios, further complicating efforts to address chronic staffing shortages and improve care standards.

The proposed Medicaid cuts and policy shifts have the potential to undermine care for millions of older adults in nursing facilities. There’s still time to contact your senator and urge them to support Medicaid.

• Call your Members of Congress today.  You can find their contact information at: house.gov and senate.gov.
• Send a letter using the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s draft:  https://thenationalcouncil.quorum.us/campaign/107658/.

Congress is debating a new law called the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” It’s a big plan that includes changes to taxes, healthcare, and housing. Last night, the bill passed the House.  It is now headed to the Senate.

What’s in the Bill?

• Tax Cuts Stay: It keeps the 2017 tax cuts and adds new tax breaks for tips, overtime, and car loan interest.
• Bigger Military and Border Budget: More money for defense and border protection.
• Medicaid Work Rules: People on Medicaid would have to meet new work rules starting in 2026.
• SALT Deduction Cap Raised: People making under $400,000 could deduct more in state and local taxes—from $10,000 to $40,000.

What’s the Overall Fiscal Impact?

The bill lowers some taxes and reduces government spending, but it’s expected to add $2.3 trillion to the national debt over 10 years. That’s because the government would lose more money from tax cuts than it would save by spending less.

At the same time, the bill risks healthcare and housing for millions of Americans—especially in low-income and rural areas.

Medicaid Cuts Could Hurt Millions

This bill would cut funding for Medicaid, the program that helps low-income people get healthcare. Medicaid covers 1 in 5 people in the U.S, 44% of services for adults with disabilities, nearly half of children with special needs, people with HIV, people who are homeless, those reentering society after jail, and older adults.

If the bill passes, up to 8.6 million people could lose coverage by 2034—the largest Medicaid cut in U.S. history.

Most Medicaid users already work (64%) or are taking care of family (12%), going to school (6%), or have a disability (10%). Only 2% are unemployed and looking for work.

Cutting Medicaid also hurts hospitals, especially in rural areas, by raising the costs of unpaid care.

What About Housing?

The bill also cuts money for housing.  Proposed changes include:

• Cutting 44% of the HUD budget, including help for renters, seniors, and people with disabilities
• Eliminating key programs that build affordable housing in rural and low-income areas (eliminating the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and Fair Housing Initiatives Program)
• Converting rental assistance programs into state-administered block grants, reducing federal oversight and potentially leading to inconsistent support across states
• Limiting rental help to just two years.

This would be a big blow for rural communities, where local help is limited.  Less housing support means fewer jobs created, more people may become homeless, and fewer services for those in need.

There’s Still Time to Contact Your Senator

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is moving quickly through Congress, and its impact could be felt for decades. The bill cuts essential healthcare and housing programs. Millions of Americans—especially children, people with disabilities, and rural families—stand to lose critical support. Now is the time to contact your Senator and urge them to protect the programs that help keep communities healthy, housed, and strong.

• Call your Members of Congress today.  You can find their contact information at: house.gov and senate.gov.
• Send a letter using the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s draft:  https://thenationalcouncil.quorum.us/campaign/107658/

Your Voice Matters – And It’s Making a Difference

If you’re wondering if your voice matters – it does.  Last week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee postponed a scheduled hearing after receiving overwhelming feedback from people across the country.

What’s Happening in Congress

This week the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee passed a bill that would cut Medicaid funding by tens of billions of dollars.  According to the Congressional Budget Office, this could lead to approximately 8.6 million people losing their Medicaid coverage.

Congress is still debating significant changes to Medicaid as part of a larger budget plan. The proposed changes include:

• Requiring some people to work in order to keep their coverage
• More frequent income checks and stricter rules for proving eligibility

The committee did not change how much the federal government pays for Medicaid expansion. Right now, the federal government pays 90% of the costs for adults who get Medicaid through expansion. However, future budget talks could revisit this issue. Some lawmakers continue to advocate for reducing the expansion’s federal match to save money.  Virginia has a “trigger law” tied to its Medicaid expansion program, meaning that if the federal government reduces its funding, the state’s expanded Medicaid coverage will automatically end.

Who Depends on Medicaid

One in five Americans rely on Medicaid for basic health and long-term care. It’s not just for the very poor — it’s for working families, older adults, children, and people with disabilities.

Why it Matters to Everyone

• Administrative burdens could result in eligible individuals losing coverage
• Without Medicaid support, hospitals — especially in rural areas — may have to cut services or even close, leading to job losses, longer wait times, and fewer care options for everyone.

Important Details to Consider

Yes, it’s important to address fraud, waste and abuse in any federal program.  It’s also important to know that currently:

• Medicaid has one of the lowest fraud rates of any federal program. Most overpayments are due to paperwork errors, not fraud.
• Most people on Medicaid are already working — or are children, seniors, or people with disabilities.
• The ACA expansion helps cover people in low-wage jobs like home health care, food service, and childcare.

The Bigger Picture

Our health care system — and the health of our communities — depends on steady, thoughtful investment. From rural towns to big cities, Medicaid plays a vital role in keeping us all healthier and stronger.

Take Action:  Speak up for Medicaid

The Energy and Commerce Committee has made its recommendations. Now, the House Budget Committee will review the proposal. During this stage, changes are still possible. If passed, the bill will move on to the full House and Senate for a vote.

• Call your Members of Congress today.  You can find their contact information at: house.gov and senate.gov.
• Send a letter using the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s draft:  https://thenationalcouncil.quorum.us/campaign/107658/.

The U.S. government exists to establish justice, maintain peace at home, defend the country, support the well-being of its people, and protect liberty. In short, it helps organize society, maintain order, and promote the common good.

This week, Congress returned to Washington to start finalizing the federal budget. The current House proposal includes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts.  At the same time, it plans to increase spending by hundreds of billions on immigration, Homeland Security, and defense. To make this work in the short term, the proposal would raise the debt ceiling by $4 trillion.

To fund the tax cuts in the long term, the government must make deep cuts elsewhere.

The proposed cuts would impact our community in big ways. For example, the House has directed the Energy and Commerce Committee to find $880 billion in savings over the next 10 years from Medicaid, which provides health coverage to low-income Americans and people with disabilities.

Encompass Community Supports advocates for a budget that supports and cares for all and helps everyone access the resources they need to live healthy, secure, and fulfilling lives.  Everyone deserves a chance to succeed and contribute to society, and a well-crafted budget can make that possible for all.

• Call your Members of Congress today!  You can find the contact information on your Members’ websites: house.gov and senate.gov
• Send a letter using the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s draft:  https://thenationalcouncil.quorum.us/campaign/107658/

For nearly 60 years, the Older Americans Act (OAA) has helped older adults nationwide. It provides important services like meals, transportation, caregiver support, and protection from abuse. These programs help seniors stay healthy, safe, and independent in their homes and communities.

 What Is the Older Americans Act?

The OAA was created in 1965 because there weren’t enough local services for older people. The Act funds programs like:

• Meals delivered to seniors’ homes
• Rides to medical appointments or the grocery store
• Help for family caregivers
• Legal aid
• Health and wellness programs
• Protection from abuse and neglect

These services are available in every community and help millions of older adults each year.

 Who Helps Make It All Happen?

 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are local groups that run many of the OAA programs. They make sure older adults, especially those who are low-income or live alone, get the help they need. AAAs work hard to keep services simple and flexible so they meet each community’s needs.  Encompass Community Supports is your local AAA.

 Why is it Important?

By 2030, over 30% of our residents will be over the age of 60.  Right now, we already have more older adults over age 65 living here than in most parts of Virginia or the United States.

Source:  US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-23

 What’s the Problem?

A new government budget proposal would break up the OAA programs and move them into two different federal agencies:

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
• Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

This plan would also cut funding for key programs in 2026, including:

• Health and disease prevention
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman (who protect nursing home residents)
• Help with Medicare
• Resources for aging and disability
• Programs that prevent elder abuse

These programs are critical for helping seniors stay healthy and live at home. Cutting them would hurt the people who rely on them most.

 What Could Happen If These Changes Go Through?

• Local agencies would have less money and more red tape
• Older adults could lose services they depend on
• Seniors may have to move into nursing homes earlier than needed – a situation no one wants unless absolutely necessary
• Costs for care could go way up
• Families and caregivers would have a harder time finding support

 What Can You Do?

Call your Members of Congress! Tell them:

• Keep OAA programs together under the Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
• Don’t cut funding for programs that protect and support older adults
• You can find the contact information on your Members’ websites: house.gov and senate.gov

We believe older Americans deserve care that is organized, affordable, and focused on their needs—not scattered across agencies or lost in budget cuts.

 

Deadline: May 9, 2025

Congress has been told to find ways to cut government spending. The House Energy and Commerce Committee must cut $880 billion — and a big part of that may come from Medicaid.

Why this matters:

Medicaid is very important for many veterans, especially those who have low incomes, disabilities, or don’t get full healthcare from the VA.

• Nearly 1 in 10 veterans between the ages of 19 and 64 use Medicaid
• About 683,000 veterans live in Virginia. That’s 9.1% of the adult population—one of the highest in the U.S
• That means up to 68,000 veterans in Virginia could lose care if Medicaid is cut

 Medicaid is a safety net:

• Some veterans rely on Medicaid as their only health coverage
• Others use it along with VA, private, or military health benefits
• In 2015, nearly 2 out of 5 veterans on Medicaid had no other coverage
• It supports veterans dealing with long-term health problems such as chronic and mental health conditions and traumatic brain injuries

 Medicaid also helps by:

• Covering services the VA may not provide (like nursing homes, home care, and long-term support)
• Helping low-income veterans afford care
• Covering some spouses and children of veterans
• Filling in gaps when VA care isn’t enough

Veterans can use Medicaid and VA benefits together. This helps them get more complete care—especially if they don’t have limited income.

Veterans are more likely to struggle with substance use.  Around 1 in 10 veterans have a substance use disorder, compared to about 7–8% of all adults. Alcohol is the most common issue, but many also misuse prescription drugs, especially opioids. Veterans face unique challenges like combat stress, PTSD, chronic pain, and difficulty adjusting to civilian life, all of which increase the risk of substance use.

Veterans are at higher risk of suicide.  According to the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, the suicide rate for veterans in Virginia is 26.6 per 100,00 totaling 184 suicides.  In Virginia overall, the suicide rate is 14.5 per 100,000.

Medicaid is the largest source of funding for mental health and substance use disorder treatment.  Medicaid cuts mean losing access to treatment.

It is important that our legislators hear from you.  Your voice matters!  Call https://thenationalcouncil.quorum.us/campaign/113801/ or write https://thenationalcouncil.quorum.us/campaign/107658/ today to support Medicaid.

Most parents expect that their children will grow up, move out, and live on their own. But for families of children with disabilities, the future looks different. Many of these children will need lifelong support—emotionally, physically, and financially.

Providing lifelong support for a child with disabilities can be incredibly expensive.  Parents face both typical parenting expenses plus ongoing medical care, therapy, specialized equipment, home modifications, personal care aids, school and job supports.

That’s why Virginia’s Medicaid Waivers are so important. They help children and adults with disabilities get the care they need to live safely at home, be a part of their community, and have the best opportunity to thrive.​

These waivers are important because they offer services like housing, job supports, nursing care, crisis help, and assistive technology. Medicaid waivers are for people who would normally need care in a nursing home or similar facility but instead get that care at home or in their community.

Virginia offers several Medicaid waiver programs, including:

• Developmental Disability (DD) Waivers: These serve individuals of any age with a developmental disability, such as autism or intellectual disability, who qualify for institutional level of care.  Options include the Building Independence (BI) Waiver for adults 18 and older who can live independently with minimal supports, the Family & Individual Support (FIS) Waiver for individuals living with family or in their own homes, and the Community Living (CL) Waiver for those needing 24/7 support. ​
• Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC Plus) Waiver: These waivers serve people of all ages with physical or medical needs.

Encompass Community Supports (ECS), as your local community services board, is the entry point for the DD Waivers.

If a child or adult loses their Medicaid waiver, the impact can be devastating.  They may lose access to critical services, face caregiver burnout, and struggle financially.  Parents may have to quit work to care for their child full time, leading to more economic strain.  Without waiver support, families may be forced to place their loved ones in institutions—not because it’s better, but because it’s the only option left.

Waivers are not luxuries, they are lifelines.  They allow families to keep loved ones at home, in their communities, and surrounded by those who know and love them most.

Call your local legislator today to oppose Medicaid funding cuts:  https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is facing major changes and budget cuts. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is planning to reduce costs by merging several agencies, including SAMHSA, into a new entity called the Administration for a Healthy America. As part of this effort, HHS will cut around 10,000 jobs and shrink the number of its divisions from 28 to 15, aiming to save $1.8 billion per year.

These cuts could reduce SAMHSA’s staff by up to 50%, affecting vital programs like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and many mental health and substance use treatment services. Locally, ECS is very concerned that this could lead to more overdoses, suicides, and challenges in accessing behavioral health care.

Opioids are still the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-44. While deaths have decreased, that doesn’t necessarily mean fewer opioids and fentanyl—it may reflect better treatment and emergency response.

Community Services Boards like ECS rely on SAMHSA funding for crisis intervention, outpatient treatment, and addiction services. SAMHSA also supports programs for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction and harm reduction, such as Narcan distribution. Cutting these programs could mean more overdoses and mental health emergencies. With fewer community-based services, more people may end up in emergency rooms or jail instead of getting the care they need. Losing access to treatment can also make it harder for people to keep jobs, maintain housing, and support their families.

These plans are still under review and could change, but if implemented, they would mark a major shift in federal mental health and addiction services. The impact wouldn’t just be on individuals with mental health and substance use disorders—it would affect entire communities by limiting life-saving services, increasing strain on emergency responders, and worsening public health outcomes.

Calling your local legislator today to oppose these funding cuts:  https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

Did someone forward you this email?

Click here to subscribe and get future updates delivered straight to your inbox!