Dennis S. Farmer, the visionary Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Legacy Village, LLC, brings a wealth of experience rooted in his small-town upbringing in Shafter, California. Embarking on a career with the State of California at the young age of 24, Dennis quickly ascended through the ranks, displaying proficiency in budgetary and accounting fields. His journey culminated in becoming the Head of Accounting for Kern Valley State Prison, where he oversaw crucial aspects such as budget management, fiscal policy formulation, and coordination with legislative accounting affairs.
Amidst his professional success, Dennis faced a personal struggle with alcohol that gained prominence in his late 20s and began to cast shadows on both his personal and professional life by his early 30s. Battling addiction led to two failed marriages and a severe toll on his health. Dennis's path to recovery wasn't straightforward; it involved three rehab attempts, with the third being the turning point that marked his commitment to a genuine recovery process. "I truly began a real process of recovery, embracing the concepts of recovery and most importantly, reconnecting with my faith in God," said Mr. Farmer.
This pivotal recovery experience inspired Dennis to envision more accessible and affordable care within his community. Born out of his own struggle to find help, Legacy Village materialized as a testament to Dennis's dedication to helping others overcome addiction. "It is my belief that my experience was not solely, or even predominantly for me – but rather so I would be equipped to help others," expressed Mr. Farmer.
Legacy Village flourished as a beacon of individualized care and recovery services. As the flagship Oregon Street Recovery Center gained success, opportunities to relocate arose in 2020. Legacy Village would gain notoriety as one of the most successful, Veterans only treatment facilities privately operated. After the move to Nipomo, California, hundreds of Veterans annually sought help and found healing. Three years after the move, however, and with tremendous success under their banner of recovery, politics would intervene in progress. Having transitions to a Veterans only facility, the program was vulnerable to policy changes which came into place in January 2023. Access standards, that under the MISSION Act allowed for broad use of the Community Care Network by Veterans, we abruptly changed, restricting use of private providers in addiction treatment. This all brought about significant difficulty, and with all referrals to the program stopped, would mark the closure of Legacy Village. In November 2023 after nearly nine years of dedicated service to the public and Veterans in need, the facility shuttered.
Dennis Farmer remained a stalwart advocate for Veterans, navigating the complexities of the Washington politics in the hopes of ensuring access to life-saving care. Mr. Farmer spent incredible effort to highlight now VA policy changes in access standards have posed challenges, hindering timely and quality access to addiction treatment for Veterans. In his meetings with various congressional leaders, and advocacy organizations, he minced no words. “These changes are going to costs Veterans lives,” said Mr. Farmer.
Undeterred by these challenges, Dennis embraced a new role as the Chief Executive Officer of Recovery 101. This venture is dedicated to eradicating the stigma surrounding addiction treatment and promoting mental and behavioral health wellness. Through Recovery 101, Dennis continues his tireless advocacy for Veterans and all those grappling with access to care, embodying a commitment to a cause greater than himself. He is involved in the formation of new Veteran-centric clinics, and public clinics for mental and behavioral healthcare, scheduled to open in multiple states in 2024. While Recovery 101 has become his primary professional pursuit, he continues to provide exceptional, experienced leadership in the new clinics to come. The role with Recovery 101 has also afforded him with a new platform, as the host of the Recovery 101 podcast. Initial episodes have been released with a new schedule coming soon.
In addition to his impactful work in the field of addiction recovery, Dennis has pursued literary endeavors, publishing his first book, "Ironing Money." Currently working on a second book, he aims to provide self-directed options for continuing one's wellness journey through faith. Dennis S. Farmer's life story is one of resilience, redemption, and an unwavering commitment to serving others in their pursuit of a healthier, more meaningful life. “The story is never over, until we’re called home,” said Mr. Farmer. “Stay tuned for more.”