Prince William County Community Services Office Earns Prestigious Certification to Expand Life-Saving Opioid Recovery Services

Prince William County Community Services’ Woodbridge facility has achieved Office-Based Addiction Treatment, or OBAT, designation from the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services, a prestigious certification recognizing high standards for addiction treatment. This designation enables the facility to secure additional Medicaid funding from both state and federal sources, significantly enhancing its ability to address the opioid epidemic through expanded services.  

With its new designation, the clinic can expand capacity and provide state-of-the-art, patient-centered care. The funding will bolster the county’s Medication-Assisted Treatment, or MAT, program, which combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat opioid use disorder and support long-term recovery. 

“We had to show that we had the capacity to provide services and be able to engage with people rapidly with a low barrier type of threshold. One of the biggest things that we were able to show is that we could get someone into treatment within 24 to 48 hours,” said Prince William County Recovery Support Program Manager Daniel Manza. “The clinic stands as a beacon of hope and a model for successful addiction treatment in the region.”   

Between 2018 and 2023, there were 454 opioid-related deaths in the Greater Prince William area, and non-fatal overdoses more than doubled since 2017, with more than 300 incidents reported annually since 2020. To combat this crisis, the MAT program offers evidence-based, compassionate care to help individuals recover, reduce overdose rates, and mitigate the spread of infectious diseases. 

"With this additional funding, we can extend our support to more individuals in our community who are grappling with the challenges of opioid addiction," said Georgia Bachman, Acting Director of Community Services. "This enables us to provide critical, life-saving services to those in need, offering a holistic approach that goes beyond immediate treatment to include the counseling, medical care, and community support that fosters long-term recovery." 

Wraparound services are a cornerstone of the MAT program, addressing not only addiction, but also underlying challenges. These services include mental health counseling, housing assistance, vocational training, and other resources that help individuals build a foundation for sustained recovery and resilience.  

Shaumbay Fuller, a program participant, shared her transformative experience. “I’ve learned through this process it’s all or nothing. You have to either be all in or all out. It was a lifesaver basically between life and death. Each day got a little bit better.”    

Alma Lopez also expressed how MAT services helped her overcome her addiction.    

“I did not feel well before. I could not look at myself in the mirror for a long time. I didn’t like what I saw, but everything has changed,” Lopez said. “They are teaching me all the tools and advice to face my life without treatment.”    

Beyond supporting individual recovery, MAT has broader public health benefits, including lowered healthcare costs and strengthened community resilience as individuals return to contribute positively to their families, workplaces and society. 

“This designation and the expanded funding represent a crucial step forward in our fight against the opioid crisis,” said County Executive Chris Shorter. “Prince William County is committed to serving our residents struggling with addiction and providing access to the comprehensive care and support they need. By investing in these proven, evidence-based solutions, we are not only saving lives but also building a healthier, more resilient community.” 

For more information on Prince William County’s MAT services and support options, visit pwcva.gov/communityservices.