August 2022
Early in 2021, VOICE leaders in Prince William County (PWC) began a campaign, together with key allies, to create a Crisis Receiving Center (CRC) –a facility where police and the wider public can take people suffering from a mental health crisis instead of being warehoused in a hospital emergency room or locked in jail.
After a long, hard-fought campaign, VOICE was able to successfully secure $10m in funding ($7.5m from the county, $2.5m from the state), which will allow the CRC to become operational in early 2023. While this is a major achievement the facility is currently funded for one-half (Phase 1) of the requested capacity.
The PWC Board of Supervisors recently announced the center will be located at the former Gander Mountain building near Potomac Mills. Outfitting the site for Phase 1 of the CRC (8 23-hour recliners and 8 psychiatric beds) is expected to take 18-24 months. VOICE is currently advocating for increased funding to achieve Phase 2 capacity, doubling the size of the currently approved facilities to serve children and youth. VOICE is also challenging unnecessary state regulations and other barriers that prevent CRC’s from being fully effective in Virginia. Member congregations have been are asked to connect with individuals who have had mental health needs/experiences in their families (especially military veterans, police and first responders) and recruit persons willing to share stories about how a CRC would benefit their loved ones.
With continued support VOICE’s goal is to make the PWC CRC the most effective in Virginia and eventually a national model for mental health reform.
Background Reading: Prince William County’s Crisis Receiving Center https://princewilliamliving.com/prince-william-county-crisis-receiving-center/
Previous VOICE Updates on this topic:
VOICE Update – Critical Receiving Unit (Apr 2022
Voice Update – Critical Receiving Units (Sept 10, 2021)
VOICE Update – Critical Receiving Units (Jul 22, 2021)
VOICE – Did you know? Crisis Stabilization Unit (Jun 25, 2021)