About Us

In (2012) Behavioral Health Navigators Center, Inc. (BHNC) was formed as a registered 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to advocating for legislative policies and evidence-based programming for vulnerable populations.  Federal ID:  80-0834064. 

The agency was established to be responsive to the rapidly evolving sociological challenges facing the Public Health and Human Service Industries in (the 1980s): such as de-institutionalization; spiraling healthcare costs; a diminution of the quality of care resulting from complex service delivery, lack of evidence-based care, and more recently adverse social determinants of health.  Furthermore, BHNC's formative years of advocacy awakened an awareness that smaller community-based services were more viable for population management. Despite the industry challenges and evidence-based practices, notable foresight, personal experience, and an understanding of the myriad of issues facing complex systems served as a catalyst and conceptual framework.  

The interventions provided by BHNC are designed to facilitate the maintenance of health and wellness in environments that are least restrictive and conducive to an optimum quality of life. BHNC's predominant efforts have been the development of patient-centered care that addresses social determiners of health through the development of a highly competent interdisciplinary professional team approach and a results-oriented management philosophy, BHNC can quickly synthesize its organizational resources for solving problems and providing strategies with measurable impact on policy programming and planning in the human service industry.

BHNC is also a member of the following collaborative teams: The Virginia Community Health Worker Association (VACHWA), Unite Us Virginia, the Virginia Department of Health CHW Association, and The Virginia Hospital Healthcare Association. We are excited about having made a difference on a national basis and desire to see Virginia communities with better healthcare and socio-economic outcomes (on a local basis) so that individuals and families can live healthier and happier lives too!  

Future: The 2023-2026 Community Needs Assessment is underway and we are excited to work with community stakeholders and prepared to address the myriad of social determiners of health for Roanoke Valley residents.  In collaboration with community leaders, we intend to broaden programming by improving workforce development, reducing health disparities, and closing the gaps in human services. 

Bernice Griffin, MPH, DrPH  

Chief Executive Officer

b.griffin@bhnc1.org