The local governments of Virginia’s Alleghany Highlands formed the AHCS in 1982 to address the mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse services needs of area residents. A volunteer board of local government appointees, one of 40 Community Services Boards (CSBs) in the Commonwealth, governs the agency’s policies.

AHCS is the “umbrella” agency for the area’s publicly funded mental health, mental retardation, early intervention, prevention and substance abuse services. It receives public support from the Commonwealth of Virginia, Federal funding through the Department of Mental Health Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services (DHMRSAS) and financial support from Alleghany County and Covington City.