VCSB Crisis Receiving Center Project

Valley Community Services Board (VCSB), is a rural Virginia Community Services Board with a catchment area including Highland and Augusta counties, and Staunton and Waynesboro cities, with a total population of approximately 125,000 citizens. VCSB is the lead applicant for the JMHCP grant, partnering with the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office in Verona, VA. VCSB has not received JMHCP grant funds previously. The project will demonstrate and ensure that funds are used for public health and public safety in the creation of a Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) with active participation of co-applicants in administering the program, and enhance other programs already established, such as Mental Health Jail Services, Mental Health Detention Services and the Therapeutic Docket for justice-involved individuals with Serious Mental Illness. In its letter of support for this project, Augusta County stated that between 2017 and 2021, Emergency Custody Orders (ECO) rose 35%, Temporary Detention Orders (TDO) were up 20% and Juvenile Detention Orders (JDO) rose 49%. These persons, needing behavioral health or substance use treatment, may spend up to four days in the emergency department (ED), then move to hospitalization or incarceration. This is the target population.

With the availability of a CSU, persons with behavioral health or substance use issues, are treated in a 23-hour crisis receiving center (CRC). If necessary, they could spend up to 15 days in the adjacent CSU or be moved to an acute psychiatric facility. This continuum alleviates the need for the ED to spend most of its resources on behavioral health issues, constant supervision by LEOs, and possible incarceration. The proposal is to build a 25,000 square foot facility, including medical and psychiatric assessment space, a de-escalation room, pharmacy services, and a detoxification unit. There will be a No Wrong Door approach and ECOs will be accommodated. Treatment will continue for the entire 23-hour observation period, and when possible, clients will be released home before the end of the 23 hours. If clients need to “step up” but not be hospitalized, the proposed CSU would be available for up to 15 days. Possible subcontractors for the build may include, but not limited to an architectural firm, real estate agents and construction company.