Crisis Receiving Center Opening In PW County Attended By Governor, Hundreds

WOODBRIDGE, VA — Gov. Glenn Youngkin, county officials and hundreds of attendees were on hand Thursday to welcome the new Crisis Receiving Center in Prince William County to better serve behavioral health needs.

The Crisis Receiving Center, located at 14011 Worth Avenue in Woodbridge, will provide behavioral health support to people in mental health crisis 24/7. The facility will be open to the public once final licensing approvals are completed. Prince William County officials hope the opening can happen by the end of October, starting with the adult unit and the youth unit not long after.

Board of County Supervisors Chair Deshundra Jefferson (D-at large) noted how the center addresses overreliance on emergency rooms and law enforcement to respond to behavioral health crises.

"As the CRC ribbon cutting theme says, this is a new dawn which symbolizes renewal, hope and collaboration," said Jefferson. "It reflects how Prince William County and our partners have come together to strengthen behavioral health for our community."

The county contracted Connections Health Solutions to operate the facility. The new complex includes a regional crisis receiving center with separate treatment spaces for adults and youth ages 12 and up. Outpatient and community-based behavioral health services for residents of greater Prince William County are co-located in the facility. There are 64 chairs and beds for women, men, adolescents and children in crisis.

Connections Health Solutions says it has the capacity to care for 15,000 to 18,000 people annually at the center.

"Our multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, nurses, therapists, behavioral health technicians and peer support specialists will provide our nationally recognized model of care and a safe, open and therapeutic environment for adults and youth over age 12, and the impact will be visible," said Colin LeClair, CEO of Connections Health Solutions.

Youngkin noted in a news release that the center will provide urgent mental health and substance use care in one of Virginia's fastest-growing areas. The Republican governor called Prince William County's center a major advancement in Virginia's Right Help, Right Now behavioral health plan.

"Virginians who need help simply don’t have time to wait—but now, thanks to the true collaboration, partnership, and vision at the heart of the Right Help, Right Now initiative, they won’t have to," said Youngkin. "The Prince William Crisis Center has 64 chairs and beds ready to serve 64 men, women, children, and adolescents, no matter what time of the day, because that’s what it means to make sure Virginians get the right help right now."

Manassas city officials also attended, as the city noted it has access to the center through its cost sharing with Prince William County.

Kenny Boddye (D-Occoquan), whose district the facility is located in, credited Vice Chair Andrea Bailey (D-Potomac) for helping "make this vision a reality."

"Lives will be saved here. Families will be made whole again. And for so many who have felt unseen, this center will be a place of understanding, dignity and hope," said Boddye.

"The center represents a promise that in Prince William County, no one will face a mental health crisis alone," added Bailey in remarks. It stands as a place of hope, safety and dignity where individuals can find care when they need it the most."

After the morning ribbon cutting, nearly 500 people attended a community day with tours of the new center, a chance to meet staff, and information on behavioral health services.