Crisis Receiving Center Serves Hundreds Of Adults Since Opening In Prince William Co.

WOODBRIDGE, VA — Hundreds of adults have been served in a little over a month since Prince William County's Crisis Receiving Center in Woodbridge opened.

The county government said the 23-hour observation unit has served 167 adults, and 91 of those were transitioned to short-term residential crisis services. The county says the center provides an alternative to emergency rooms, law enforcement and out-of-area placements to respond to behavioral health crises. According to the county, out-of-area placements dropped from 43 percent to 4 percent.

“We have seen evidence that the model has been very successful, particularly in lowering the out-of-placement for individuals under emergency custody orders and temporary detention orders,” said Lisa Madron, executive director of Prince William Community Services. “One private hospital where we placed 16 individuals for psychiatric hospitalization in October called because they had not received any placements in November due to the CRC opening.”

There are no statistics yet for youth, as the center started serving youth on Dec. 1. Medical transfers for adults started on Oct. 28. The center is not yet taking walk-in visits for adults and youth but receives referrals from the region's Community Services Boards, hospitals and law enforcement agencies.

“In just a matter of weeks, the Crisis Receiving Center is proving that when we invest in people-centered, community-based solutions, we get better outcomes for residents and for our public safety and healthcare systems,” said County Executive Chris Shorter. “This facility is helping people receive the care they need right here in their own community, and that is a major step forward for behavioral health services in Prince William County and the region.”

The Crisis Receiving Center, located at 14011 Worth Avenue in Woodbridge, provides behavioral health support to people in mental health crisis 24/7. Separate treatment spaces are in place for adults and youth ages 12 and up. There are 64 chairs and beds for women, men, adolescents and children in crisis. Outpatient and community-based behavioral health services for are co-located in the facility.

The county contracted Connections Health Solutions to operate the facility. According to Prince William County, the center can serve people from Prince William, Fairfax, Loudoun and Arlington counties, as well as the cities of Alexandria, Manassas and Manassas Park.