June 1, 2022 Update: We have just learned that the General Assembly has included the $2.5m in operating expenses for the new Prince William mental health County Crisis Receiving Center (CRC) into the state’s final budget agreement!! This means that VOICE, together with key allies, has organized a total of $10m towards the creation of the desperately-needed CRC. (Prince William County had already approved $7.5 million towards the creation of a Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) in the County!)
But it is hoped the CSU will be up and running by the end of the year.
The Center will offer residents immediate help for serious mental health crises as well as assistance with other mental health challenges, including addiction, depression and anxiety. It will be staffed with nurses and mental health clinicians and serve as a place where police officers can take residents placed under “emergency custody orders” or a “temporary detention orders”.
County staff is currently recommending the facility include only 16 beds – eight for inpatients and eight for observation up to 23 hours; for adults only. This will be a “phased” in approach so the center can grow over time.
County officials are searching for an appropriate building for the CSU. It is hoped the facility will be located in the eastern end of the county in an existing building that can be repurposed.
Thank you to all who contacted your Prince William County Supervisor to support this import initiative!
Previous VOICE Updates on this topic:
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)