As Vaya Health moves through the early months of 2026, the organization reflects on 2025 as a year defined by growth and a continued commitment to whole-person care across North Carolina.
From strengthening North Carolina’s public health system to advancing recovery solutions in communities impacted by Hurricane Helene, Vaya’s work throughout 2025 focused on responding to community needs while bolstering the systems that support long-term stability and care.
“2025 challenged Vaya to lead with urgency, compassion, and collaboration—and our teams delivered,” said Tracy Hayes, Area Director and CEO of Vaya Health. “As we look ahead to 2026, we remain focused on expanding access to care, supporting recovery, and partnering with communities to improve health outcomes across the communities we serve in North Carolina.”
Expanding Crisis Services
Access to crisis care remained a top priority for Vaya in 2025, with more than $20 million in combined investments from Vaya, state crisis system funds, and local resources supporting faster local access to help when it’s needed most. Last year, Vaya opened Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) facilities in Alamance, Rockingham, Rowan, and Haywood counties, while ongoing investments strengthened services in Buncombe, Caldwell, and Haywood counties. In 2026, Vaya will expand the network further with a new BHUC facility planned for Vance County.
Continued Hurricane Helene Recovery
Throughout 2025, Vaya continued long-term recovery efforts to support people, providers, and communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. Vaya quickly distributed over $6.5 million in provider stabilization payments to help sustain care across impacted communities and managed more than $57 million in recovery funding supporting housing initiatives, community-based behavioral health services, and provider assistance programs.
Vaya partnered with Resources for Resilience and state recovery programs to offer free trainings, workshops, and support opportunities designed to help individuals, first responders, providers, and communities build resilience and cope with disaster-related stress. These include trauma-informed sessions, listening circles, and community gatherings. Vaya also supported the housing stabilization and assistance program Back@Home Helene for individuals experiencing housing insecurity due to the storm.
“In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, our priority was to ensure people could access the care they needed and that providers had the financial and other resources necessary to continue serving their communities,” said Hayes. “From reaching out to high-risk members to supporting providers with stabilization funds, Vaya worked alongside our network and community partners to ensure no one was left behind.”
Community Partnerships
Through a 2025 partnership with Appalachian State University, Vaya supported the Growing Well High Country Developmental Clinic, a community outreach program from the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness (AppWell) that promotes the healthy development of children, youth, and families in North Carolina’s High Country. The initiative offers early developmental screenings, family support networks, and educational programs, helping children and families—particularly children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD)s—thrive in an inclusive, resilient community.
Vaya continued to focus on lifesaving overdose prevention in 2025, distributing 44,976 doses(1,874 cases)of NARCAN to over 140 agencies across 32 counties. As the first organization in North Carolina to purchase and distribute NARCAN in 2016, Vaya’s innovative approach to harm reduction over the past ten years helped propel efforts throughout the state.
Through a partnership with Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM) and NCServes, Vaya increased its commitment to veterans in 2025. Managed byAsheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM), NCServes brings together public, private, and nonprofit organizations to ensure veterans, service members, and their families can easily connect to local support. Vaya’s support of extended hours for the NCServes call line and coordination center makes it easier for veterans and their families to connect with care when they need it most.
Recognizing Excellence and Looking Ahead
Vaya employees were recognized throughout 2025 for exceptional service, innovation, and dedication to members and communities. Notable honors include two Vaya employees being awarded North Carolina’s highest civilian honor, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, by Governor Josh Stein, recognizing their contributions and commitment to North Carolina’s public behavioral health system. Donald Reuss, VP of Behavioral Health and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Network Operations, and Marvin Sanders, VP of Regulatory Affairs, both received this award celebrating the accomplishments of their dedicated careers in public service.
“The progress we made in 2025 reflects the dedication of our employees and the strength of our community partnerships,” said Hayes. “In 2026, we will continue moving forward with the goal of reducing barriers, improving outcomes, and delivering on our commitment to every North Carolinian we’re honored to serve.”
