Celebrating 60 Years of Responsiveness: The Evolution of Substance Use Disorder Services at HVMHC

Story By: Jen Dieck, Director of Crisis Response Services/ Director of Substance Use Disorder Services

Winona, Minn – If there is one word that describes the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Department at Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center (HVMHC), it is responsive. For the past 60 years, HVMHC has grown, adapted, and responded to the changing needs of our clients and the communities we serve. From our earliest days as a small mental health provider to becoming a regional leader in integrated behavioral health care, our commitment has always been the same: to meet people where they are and provide the care they need, when they need it.

This responsiveness is evident in the evolution of our SUD Department itself. What began decades ago as the “Chemical Dependency Department” later became the “Substance Abuse Department.” And in December 2022, we took another step forward, changing our name to the Substance Use Disorder Department. This shift reflects our embrace of person-centered language and our dedication to reducing stigma—an essential step toward ensuring individuals feel respected and supported as they pursue recovery.

Over the past two years, the pace of change has accelerated as we’ve worked to address the challenges of the opioid epidemic and the broader landscape of substance use. In October 2023, HVMHC partnered with the Steve Rummler HOPE Network to become a Naloxone Access Point (NAP). Through this program, we began offering Naloxone Overdose Kits, Fentanyl Test Strips, and Xylazine Test Strips—free of charge, no questions asked—at our Caledonia, Red Wing, Wabasha, and Winona offices.

In June 2024, we expanded services to include Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) using Suboxone, an FDA-approved medication that helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms for individuals with opioid use disorder. By adding MAT, we made recovery more accessible and manageable for those who need both medical and therapeutic support.

The following month, July 2024, we grew again—this time expanding from offering only Outpatient SUD Treatment (up to 8 hours of treatment a week) to include Intensive Outpatient SUD Treatment, which provides 9–19 hours of care each week. This added level of support has helped clients access more intensive treatment without leaving their communities or uprooting their daily lives.

On February 14, 2025, through a partnership with RIPple Drug Awareness & Education, we installed the first 24/7 Naloxone Distribution Box in Winona County, right outside our Winona Clinic. Stocked with Naloxone, Fentanyl Test Strips, Xylazine Test Strips, and other resources, the box ensures lifesaving tools are available at any time, day or night. To complement access with education, several staff members trained through the Steve Rummler HOPE Network to become Community Trainers in Overdose Prevention and Naloxone Administration. By doing so, we not only provide the tools but also empower people to use them with confidence.

Recognizing the barriers rural communities face, HVMHC has also prioritized flexibility. Today, SUD treatment is available in person, via telehealth, or even over the phone—ensuring care is accessible no matter someone’s location or circumstances.

As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, the story of our Substance Use Disorder Department illustrates what has defined HVMHC from the very beginning: responsiveness. Just as we have expanded crisis response, housing supports, school-based services, peer support, and outpatient mental health treatment over the years, our SUD Department continues to grow and adapt. Each change reflects a promise—to listen to our communities, respond to their needs, and deliver compassionate, evidence-based care.

For six decades, HVMHC has stood as a partner in health, healing, and hope. As we look toward the future, we remain committed to leading with responsiveness—ensuring that no matter what challenges tomorrow may bring, our communities will never face them alone.

About Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center
Founded in 1965, Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center (HVMHC) provides comprehensive behavioral health services to individuals and families across Southeastern Minnesota. The organization is committed to delivering compassionate, person-centered care and fostering wellness in every community it serves.

For more information about HVMHC’s services, visit www.hvmhc.org. To schedule an appointment, individuals can call 1-800-657-6777 or visit www.hvmhc.org/contact/make-an-appointment.

HVMHC also oversees the Mobile Crisis Unit, available 24 hours a day in Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Wabasha, and Winona Counties. Assistance can be reached by calling 1-844-CRISIS2 (1-844-274-7472).