My name is Matt Buracker, and I am a Prevention and Testing Specialist at ARE in Winchester. ARE stands for AIDS Response Effort and was started in the early 1990’s by a group of concerned citizens to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Since then, it has blossomed into the many programs we have today.
We provide medical and non-medical case management services to folks living with HIV including HIV medical care, medication access, insurance enrollment, food, transportation, referrals to support services, mental health and wellness and housing services. We also have several housing assistance programs for the community at large such as rapid rehousing, homelessness prevention, rental and utility assistance and more. The prevention team offers free HIV/HCV/STI testing, free condoms, classes on methods of protection and STIs, gender diversity trainings, PrEP and nPEP assistance, and risk reduction counseling. We are also working towards expanding services and starting an LGBTQ+ program.
We serve the entire Lord Fairfax Health District (Winchester City, Frederick, Warren, Clarke, Page and Shenandoah Counties). ARE joined the Warren Coalition several years ago because we admire the amazing work being done by the coalition to support the community. I personally live and grew up in Warren County and being that it is a county that we serve, we love to partner and work with the Coalition anyway we can.
I want to highlight our work in substance use. We work with the local treatment centers, jails and clinics to provide HIV and Hepatitis C screening to the community. We partner with UVA to ensure the clients that test positive for Hepatitis C receive treatment. We provide wound care kits, Naloxone and (thanks to the Warren Coalition!) now offer Fentanyl test strips to those who inject drugs. We are currently waiting for approval from the State Health Commissioner to start our syringe services program. When this final approval comes through, we will be providing sterile syringes, safe injection kits, safe snorting kits and safe smoking kits in addition to our wound care kits, Naloxone and fentanyl testing strips.
Matt Buracker, Prevention and Testing Specialist Laura Arellano, Outreach and Education Coordinator, pictured above with Matt To access any services listed on this page, or for more information, please contact Matt: Cell: (540) 539-6142 (call or text) Office: (540) 536-5147 Email: mburacke@valleyhealthlink.com
FRONT ROYAL, VA— Nominations are now open for the Larry M. Funk Memorial Award for Outstanding Service to Children. This award, newly established by the Warren Coalition, recognizes an individual whose dedication and services to children of Warren County have made a positive impact on them.
The award is open to anyone who serves children in any way, though if it is their profession, the nominator will need to explain the way in which they go above and beyond their normal job requirements. Nominators are asked to explain the contributions made to the children and youth of Warren County, some specific examples, and five outstanding qualities of the nominee.
Nominations can be made online at https://bit.ly/LarryFunkAward. (Note that the link is case-sensitive.) A panel will review the nomination packages, and the selected recipient will be presented with a plaque and $500 cash at the Warren Coalition’s Annual Membership Luncheon on July 28th at 11:30 am at the Community Center at 538 Villa Ave. in Front Royal.
Larry M. Funk was a member of Warren Coalition for more than 20 years, serving in a number of positions to include Vice President and President during that time. The Warren County Sheriff Department employed Larry for over 28 years, and 27 of those were as the D.A.R.E. instructor and Community Policing representative. He received many awards and recognitions from community organizations such as Kiwanis, Elks Lodge, Moose Lodge, Warren County Sheriff Department, Warren County Board of Supervisors, and American Legion Post 53, just to name a few. His many activities included presentations at events and distribution of educational materials for the youth of Warren County. This included many bike rodeos; Warren County Fair booths; Warren Memorial Hospital annual health fair; drug awareness displays; car shows; and car seat safety checks. He coordinated and organized the annual D.A.R.E. day, which was the culmination of a year of planning for the fifth graders of Warren County Public Schools as part of the D.A.R.E education during the school year.
Larry was an elder at his church, serviced as assistant Sunday school superintendent and as a youth Sunday school teacher. He would practice his presentations for hours until he got it just the way he wanted to present it. He took great pride working with children of the community. Students and former adult students would frequently greet him with hugs whenever they would see him. Larry’s impact was great and long lasting.
Larry was married for 38 years; the proud father of two sons; and grandfather of five grandchildren. He loved spending time with them and especially teaching them.
“Larry would have been very humbled to know about the incredible recognition that the Warren Coalition is bestowing in his memory,” his wife Linda said.
The Warren County Parks and Recreation Department acquires, develops, operates, and maintains a park and recreation system that improves the quality of life for all residents of Warren County through educational, park, recreational, cultural and leisure opportunities. Our department aims to provide the highest quality of service experience possible with individual, personalized attention to each participant.
The Warren County Parks and Recreation Department was created in the fall of 1986 to foster a Town of Front Royal and countywide approach to the delivery of recreation and leisure services. Mr. Brackenridge H. Bentley, then Town Manager, hired me as the first Director of the Front Royal Parks and Recreation Department, the position I hold to this day.
The department was launched through an innovative delivery of services with the help of the Town and the County of Warren. The partnership’s goal was to provide a comprehensive array of recreation and leisure services for the entire community. In 2000, the department became a County of Warren Parks and Recreation operation. This new endeavor was designed to complement and enhance existing programs and traditions.
Our department is divided into three divisions: Administration, Programs, and Maintenance. The Administrative Division manages the operations of the department through the Raymond E. Santmyers Youth Center. Our staff works diligently to foster good relationships with citizens, businesses, and organizations. We also manage our popular shelter rentals and Youth Center reservations through this office. We strive to greet every citizen with a smile, and we are eager to hear thoughts, concerns, and new ideas.
At the Warren County Community Center, the Programs Division works to provide the many activities and sports programs available to residents of all ages. From youth basketball programs to mahjongg, there is always something fun going on at the Warren County Community Center. The Claude A. Stokes Community Swimming Pool is also part of our Programs Division, offering swimming lessons, lap swim and summer fun. The Maintenance Division assures the parks, facilities and buildings are well-kept, beautiful, and safe. Our maintenance employees stay current in the many certifications required to provide a safe environment for our patrons. Currently, our Maintenance Division is constructing a new, large shelter adjacent to the Warren County Splash Pad, highlighting the talents of our maintenance staff.
These three divisions work together to offer citizens and visitors wonderful local natural, athletic, and cultural experiences and activities.
The Department has made significant strides in recent years sharing services between the Warren County Public Schools Athletic Departments and other recreational organizations, thus improving maintenance at park and athletic facilities, and building positive working relationships with all the youth sports organizations.
Warren County Parks and Recreation has a lot to be proud of and we have been very busy! The Warren County Splash Pad was opened in 2019, thanks to the donations of local civic organizations including the Warren Coalition. Despite a COVID-19 pandemic closure, the Splash Pad has proven to be a local favorite, filled with happy families throughout the summer. We are proud to be able to offer such a dynamic and “cool” family activity.
Beautiful Rockland Park has also been developing. In 2018, fitness stations were added to the amenities and soon sunshades will be added to keep local exercisers out of the hot sun. The disc golf course is another popular attraction at Rockland Park. A yearly tournament is hosted there attracting many enthusiasts to our area. Finally, we are very excited for the new basketball courts coming in 2022. In 2008, I became a member of the Warren Coalition representing the Warren County Parks and Recreation Department to:
Assist the Warren Coalition to make the Warren County community a better place to live, work and play
Assist the Warren Coalition to anticipate the needs of the changing community and structure programs and facilities accordingly
Assist the Warren Coalition to enrich the lives of residents and build a healthier community
Assist the Warren Coalition to strengthen community image and sense of place
Assist the Warren Coalition to continue to expand the level of public information and involvement in parks and recreation
The Warren County Parks and Recreation Department will continue creating positive park and recreational experiences for our community. We will continue encouraging and fostering partnerships with community and youth agencies that will strengthen collaboration efforts in order to provide safe environments for the youth. We are thankful for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Warren County and we aim to be careful stewards of that trust.
Please visit our website at https://www.warrencountyva.net/government/county-departments/parks-and-recreation for more information on our parks, programs, facilities, and staff. You will also find a video tour there, highlighting our beautiful parks. Should you have any additional questions, please contact our office and we will be happy to provide you with any information you need.
Daniel P. Lenz, Warren County Parks and Recreation Department Director
Family Preservation Services (FPS) focuses on developing community-based services that vary based on the individual community’s needs. These include services for children and adolescents, adults, and families, all of which address needs and concerns in psychiatric care, substance misuse, trauma, mental health, or behavior. The services range from group therapy, prosocial skills development, individual and family psychotherapy, to art therapy and parent support and education.
The settings in which FPS provides this wide array of services are as unique as the families they serve. From intensive in-home services and therapeutic day treatments to outpatient counseling and crisis intervention, FPS excels at meeting families where they are. Their goal is to best serve the family’s needs, according to the strengths of the family and existing community resources, in combination with the expertise provided by the FPS staff.
FPS, which is recognized by the National Council on Behavioral Health as a Trauma-Informed Organization, approaches all of this with a Trauma-Informed Care perspective “that emphasizes physical, psychological, and emotional safety for both providers and survivors while creating opportunities for survivors to rebuild a sense of control and empowerment” (https://fpscorp.com/about).
Multi-systemic Therapy is an evidence-based program, an ecological approach, which can sometimes appear contrary to “common” knowledge, according to Alexia Rosen, Regional Director for the Winchester, Staunton, and Covington districts. For example, if a teen is perceived as having a substance use disorder, the initial reaction of most people is to get them into a treatment program. That is not, however, what FPS does.
Alexia explained, “We’re still going to meet with the parents, we’re still going to work on their environment, we’re still going to work on how they are getting the drugs. [We’re going to focus on] getting them positive peer interactions, getting them involved in pro-socials. The more often we get kids involved in positive activities, the less likely they are to use drugs.” She said most kids do not have an actual addiction to overcome, but if FPS staff find that is the case, they do treat the substance use disorder.
The focus on the environment, social skills, and community engagement are a result of FPS’s founding mission to keeping kids in their community. Alexia noted that kids sent to juvenile detention or put into outpatient group therapy for drug use often make the contacts they need to increase their use. Focusing on improving their home life, and developing skills in coping, decision-making, problem-solving, and communicating, among others, have a far more positive and long-lasting impact.
Because FPS tailors what they offer based on the needs and resources within the community, the organization is continuously evaluating the needs of the community and adjusting the programs. “What we were doing when I joined FPS in 2007 and what we do now are totally different,” Alexia said. “We have our same agenda, but how we do it or what services we’ve added or what we’ve decreased in, has changed.”
Family Preservation Services Alexia Rosen LPC Winchester Regional Director 3363 Shawnee Drive Suite 1 Winchester VA 22602 Phone: 540-535-0043 Staunton Regional Director 246 Rolla Mill Rd. Verona, VA 24482 Phone: 540-248-5510 Email arosen@FPSCorp.com Website: https://fpscorp.com
Alexia is a strong believer in community service and involvement, a value she has worked to instill in her employees. In addition to being an active supporter of the Coalition, she and her team participate in community events such as the Suicide Prevention Walk hosted by Shenandoah University. That focus is one of the many reasons she is currently serving as the president of the Warren Coalition.
“We’ve been invested in Warren County since way before I was a part of FPS,” Alexia said. “I think it’s important to be a part of Warren Coalition because of how it helps our community.”
