Sheriff Rick Staly Hosts Beverly Vance Aikins, Mother of Vice President JD Vance, During National Recovery Month

Date: September 29, 2026

Prepared by: Joseph Bober, Public Information Officer

Email: PIO@flaglersheriff.com

Release #: 2026 – 209

In observance of National Recovery Month, Sheriff Rick Staly and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office were honored to welcome Beverly Vance Aikins, mother of Vice President JD Vance, to Flagler County for “Recovery is Possible: A Day of Hope, Healing, and Community Partnership.”

Aikins — leaning on her experiences as a mother, registered nurse, recovery advocate, and person in long-term recovery — shared her transformative journey from addiction to restoration at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility in the morning and the Sheriff Rick Staly Law Enforcement Center in the afternoon.

An older woman speaks at a podium with a sheriff’s star emblem, facing an audience that includes people in orange uniforms A uniformed officer stands nearby against a light blue wall A woman speaks to an audience in a conference room Behind her, a large screen displays “Recovery Is Possible” next to American and Florida flags The audience sits facing her, listening attentively

Photo 1: Beverly Vance Aikins speaks at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility.

Photo 2: Beverly Vance Aikins speaks at the Sheriff Rick Staly Law Enforcement Center.

At the detention facility, Aikins spoke to inmates in FCSO’s Successful Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Treatment Program.

“Ms. Bev’s story serves as a powerful reminder that recovery is possible,” said Sheriff Staly. “We believe in helping inmates turn their lives around to become productive residents. We started the SMART Program to help people begin the difficult journey of recovering from substance abuse, and I hope our inmates were inspired from hearing about Ms. Bev’s journey as they embark on their own journey to recovery.”

At the Sheriff Rick Staly Law Enforcement Center, over 150 community members, elected officials, and recovery partners heard an inspiring story of addiction and recovery, and that it’s never too late to begin your recovery.

Since its inception in 2022, 226 inmates have graduated from the SMART Program. The program, an evidence-based in-custody treatment program in partnership with Epic Behavioral Healthcare, has been recognized nationally. The program now includes innovative opportunities with partners like the Flagler Humane Society and Parkview Church Palm Coast to help inmates overcome addiction, recover, learn a trade, and succeed once they are released from jail.

A man in a sheriff’s uniform hugs a smiling woman at a podium A blue screen in the background displays partially visible text

A woman speaks at a podium with a sheriff standing nearby The screen behind them reads, “RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE” and mentions hope, healing, and community partnerships An American flag is visible on the left

A woman speaks at a podium with a sheriff standing nearby The screen behind them reads, “RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE” and mentions hope, healing, and community partnerships An American flag is visible on the left

Sheriff Rick Staly and Beverly Vance Aikins speak at the Sheriff Rick Staly Law Enforcement Center.

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