Belmont County CARES Releases 2025 End-of-Year Report
The Belmont County CARES Program released its 2025 end-of-year report, outlining how the program supported county residents through emergency follow-up, healthcare coordination and community-based services.
The CARES Program operates through the Cumberland Trail Fire District and serves residents throughout Belmont County. The program functions as a connector between emergency services, healthcare systems, behavioral health providers and community resources, focusing on follow-up care and stabilization rather than emergency transport alone. Referrals are received from EMS agencies, hospitals, behavioral health providers, county agencies, family members and through self-referrals.
“CARES in an essential county service because it fills the gap between emergency response and what residents actually need to stay stable at home,” said Chad J. Zambori, director of the Belmont County CARES Program. “A lot of people don’t need an ambulance ride, but they do need follow-up, coordination and a real path to care.”
Zambori said the program helps prevent small issues from escalating by remaining engaged after the initial call or referral and by serving as a consistent point of access for high-risk residents and partner agencies.
Chad Zambori, Director of Belmont County CARES Program and Ryan Gallagher, Nurse Practitioner, OHHC/Belmont County CARES Program spoke at the Barnesville Rotary Club regarding the CARES Program last January. Photo Provided by Barnesville Area Chamber of Commerce.
In 2025, referrals to CARES totaled 1,013, while in-person visits increased from 687 in 2024 to 745. Mental health and crisis-related encounters continued to rise and remained a significant driver of CARES workload, according to the report.
Overall, CARES recorded 1,543 total patient interactions during the year, including 5,002 carrier-billed phone calls totaling 17,632 minutes.
In total, CARES served 1,338 clients in 2025. Age data was captured for 1,244 clients, with 76% of those individuals age 60 or older, highlighting the program’s role in supporting older adults across the county.
“Mental health needs are not rare or isolated in our community,” Zambori said. “They show up consistently and often require follow-up and coordination, not just a one-time response.”
He said part of the increase in mental health interactions reflects improved data tracking in 2025, as CARES intentionally logged all mental health-related contacts rather than only crisis situations.
“That gives us a clearer baseline of what CARES and our partners are managing day to day and helps us plan resources appropriately,” he said.
In 2024, the program integrated a nurse practitioner into its operations, Ryan Gallagher, who is an employee of the Ohio Hills Health Center in Barnesville and in 2025 formalized a partnership with WVU Wheeling Hospital to support post-discharge follow-up for Belmont County residents.
CARES had 65 nurse practitioner-related orders placed to support appropriate levels of care, 68 overdose kits delivered, 48 smoke detectors installed and 10 CPR training sessions conducted.
In 2025, CARES secured a grant from the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley to purchase portable vital sign monitors and field bags, strengthening in-home assessment capabilities for the CARES team.
“Our focus moving forward is to strengthen referrals and coordination so residents get the right help faster and don’t fall through the cracks,” Zambori said. “That means tighter workflows with our partners, clearer handoffs and better visibility into what services are being delivered.”
Zambori also thanked CARES’ partner agencies and organizations throughout Belmont County, noting the program’s success depends on collaboration and shared commitment to community care.
Belmont County CARES can be contacted through the Cumberland Trail Fire District at 740-695-5147 or czambori@cumberlandtrailfire.com. Find more information on the website.
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