AHCS Exec. Dir. Barber Sworn In to Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority Board   Covington, VA (Oct. 28, 2025) - Ingrid Barber, Executive Director of Alleghany Highlands Community Services (AHCS), was officially sworn in on October 21st to the Opioid Abatement Authority of Virginia Board of Directors. Mrs. Barber will serve as the board's representative for a rural region Community Services Board (CSB), committing to a four-year term. Barber was appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin on August 1, 2025. Mrs. Barber’s appointment brings a crucial rural perspective to the state-level body responsible for mitigating the effects of the opioid epidemic. The Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA) is established to abate and remediate the opioid crisis throughout the Commonwealth by distributing financial support from the Opioid Abatement Fund. This support is given in the form of grants or other assistance for efforts to treat, prevent, and reduce opioid use disorder and the misuse of opioids in Virginia. "It is a tremendous honor to take this oath and join the Opioid Abatement Authority Board of Directors," said Ingrid Barber. "The opioid crisis has deeply affected our rural communities, creating barriers to care and recovery that require targeted solutions. I am eager to leverage my experience at Alleghany Highlands Community Services to ensure that the OAA's funding and efforts are effectively reaching the areas that need them most, driving real change and saving lives across the Commonwealth." The leadership of Alleghany Highlands Community Services celebrated the news, recognizing the significance of having a representative on the state board. AHCS, established in 1983, is part of a statewide network of 40 Community Service Boards providing behavioral health, developmental disability, and substance use services. Stephanie Clark, Chair of the AHCS Board of Directors, emphasized the importance of Mrs. Barber's representation. "We are incredibly honored to have Ingrid represent AHCS and our region on the Opioid Abatement Authority Board," Clark stated. "Ingrid’s dedication, vision, and deep understanding of the challenges facing the Alleghany Highlands make her an invaluable asset to this critical state effort. Her presence ensures that the voices and needs of rural Virginia are not just heard, but are central to the strategy for combating this epidemic." The AHCS community looks forward to supporting Mrs. Barber in this new capacity as she works to expand resources and combat the opioid crisis throughout her four-year term.

* * * * *