About Rockbridge Area Community Services

Kimberly Shaw

Executive Director

• Jan. 1955: Rockbridge County Mental Health Association forms.
• Nov. 1963: Mental Health Association sponsors the first mental health services available in the Rockbridge area.
• July 1968: Rockbridge Mental Health Services becomes part of the State Mental Health Clinic system. The clinic, located at 11 Randolph Street in Lexington with only part-time staff, moved to the Public Health Department building on White Street later in the year.
• Jun. 1973: First meeting of Rockbridge Mental Health Clinic, Inc. The corporation aims 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 the 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 the provision of mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse services in the Rockbridge area. Clinic staff members become employees of the Community Services Board—alcohol and drug services are provided through a contract with Alcohol Services of Rockbridge, Inc. (ASOR).
• Sep. 1983: Michael Gilmore was hired as Executive Director/Chief Clinical Officer for the 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 officially passed a resolution to join RACS. 
• Feb. 1996: Board breaks ground for Rockbridge Meadows group home.
• Sep. 1996: The board established a group home in Millboro and named it 'Wellman House,' honoring community advocate Hall Wellman.
• May 1998: The agency relocates administrative offices to 410 Mason Drive.
• June 2000: RACS establishes a group home at the Arc Acres farm in Natural Bridge.

• 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 a new position as Executive Director at Alexandria CSB.
• July 2003: Dennis Cropper was hired as Executive Director.
• Sep. 2004: RACS purchases a fifth group home, Deer Haven, in Buena Vista.
• July 2005: Groundbreaking for the new consolidated facility at 241 Greenhouse Rd. in Lexington.
• May 2006: Moved into a new facility on Greenhouse Road.
• July 2007: Opened Transition House 2 in Buena Vista
• Sep 2007: Purchased land for the 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 moved 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, a partnership between RACS, local law enforcement, and a 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 was 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 by providing behavioral health, substance use, developmental, and prevention services.
• Jan 2023: Bath County Office opened in a new location.
• May 2023: The board approved the new RACS logo.
• January 2025: Resolution adopted by all jurisdictions to reduce the total number of board members from fifteen to ten.