Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board

The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) provided lifesaving services to more than 22,550 individuals experiencing challenges with mental health, substance use or developmental disabilities in FY 2024. The CSB’s latest Annual Report highlights the work of the agency’s dedicated staff and partners, and the positive difference its services are making in the lives of people in the community. It also details the implementation of new programs and expanded services for the community, including: Opening of a new Youth Medication-Assisted Treatment (YMAT) clinic in South County to provide community located services for youth. Expanding youth behavioral healthcare services to Fairfax County community centers located in Falls Church, Alexandria, and Herndon. Strengthening the crisis care response to the community. 600 callers were transferred from 911 to the 988 Regional Crisis Call Center in FY 2024, where they received immediate behavioral health assistance over the phone by trained crisis workers. Preparing to respond to an unprecedented opportunity of new developmental disabilities waivers to be offered to individuals in Fairfax County. Preparing to provide 300 new housing vouchers available for Fairfax County residents with serious mental illness, in partnership with the local housing authority. CSB services provide innovative, affordable, and effective behavioral health treatments and support to community members and offer hope and a path to recovery for individuals and families throughout Fairfax County and the Cities of Fairfax and Falls Church. Read the CSB’s FY 2024 Annual Report online or access a downloadable copy. The CSB’s Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report highlights the work of the agency’s dedicated staff and partners, and the positive difference its services are making in the lives of people in the community.

The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) is now offering new community-based behavioral health services for youth and families at three community centers: the James Lee Community Center in Falls Church, Hybla Valley Community Center in Alexandria and Herndon Resource Center. The CSB’s Youth & Family Community-Based Services Team is reducing barriers to treatment by giving individuals the opportunity to access high-quality, affordable health care and supports in the communities in which they live. CSB Youth & Family Services provides evidence-based treatment to individuals ages 5 to 18 in need of behavioral health services. Find more information about available services and hours in the Fairfax County NewsCenter. The CSB’s Youth & Family Community-Based Services Team is reducing barriers to treatment by giving individuals the right to access high-quality, affordable health care and supports in the communities in which they live.

In moments of crisis, it can be difficult to know where to turn. Across the nation, support is now as close as dialing three numbers: 988. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline connects people to help when they need it most. It is an important resource for anyone experiencing mental health or substance use crises, offering immediate support 24/7. Recent updates to this vital service now make it even easier to obtain local assistance when it is most critical. What is the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline? 988 is a national service introduced to make accessing mental health crisis support easier and faster. Replacing longer and more difficult-to-remember phone numbers, 988 provide immediate, free and confidential support to anyone experiencing thoughts of suicide, emotional distress or a mental health-related crisis. Individuals are encouraged to call for themselves or others they may be worried about.  The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can be accessed by phone, text, or chat. The goal of 988 is simple: to connect people in need with trained crisis counselors who can offer compassionate, real-time support.  What Happens When You Call 988? When you dial 988, there will first be a greeting message and choices of who to connect with. 988 is for everyone, but there are specially trained counselors for veterans, Spanish speakers and LGBTQI+ youth. Calls are routed to one of the national networks or a local 988 Lifeline network crisis center based on your selection. A trained crisis counselor answers the phone, listens, works to understand your problem, provides support, and shares resources, if needed. Counselors are available in English and Spanish, and there is translation for callers in more than 240 additional languages. While 988 offers immediate assistance, it can also serve as a gateway to ongoing support by connecting you with services like therapy, substance use treatment and peer support.  The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can be accessed by phone, text, or chat. The goal of 988 is simple: to connect people in need with trained crisis counselors who can offer compassionate, real-time support. 988 is a confidential service. Callers do not have to give their name or any personal information unless they feel comfortable doing so.  Georouting of 988 Calls: Ensuring Localized Help A key development with 988 is the recent and ongoing implementation of “georouting” for calls made from cell phones. This ensures that when you call 988 from your cell phone, you are connected to a crisis center in your local physical area rather than one related to your phone number’s area code. This more localized response can lead to better outcomes, as it allows for a more personalized approach to crisis intervention and follow-up care. Georouting is a major step forward in ensuring that the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can effectively serve callers through offering timely assistance. In Fairfax County, it means callers will be more likely to connect with crisis counselors who are familiar with the resources and services available in the county, including mobile crisis teams that may be deployed for additional in-person assistance. Help is Always Available The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a vital resource. Whether you're dealing with a mental health crisis, experiencing suicidal thoughts, or struggling with substance use, help is just a phone call, text, or chat away. With the recent implementation of georouting for wireless carriers, Fairfax County residents now have an even better chance of connecting directly with local crisis counselors who understand the unique resources and services available in the area. Whether it’s a referral to the Fairfax-Falls Church CSB, connection to a local therapist, or assistance in managing a crisis, the 988 Lifeline is designed to meet your needs quickly and effectively.  

The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) is offering its annual mini-grants for youth-led projects to reduce stigma among their peers, with support from the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Northern Virginia (SPAN), which is funded by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. The mini-grants will fund youth-planned, youth-led projects within Fairfax County, Fairfax City, and Falls Church City, to be completed by May 23, 2025. A total of $6,000 is available, for requests not to exceed $1,000 each. “These mini-grants offer our youth the opportunity to take ownership of the positive change they’d like to see in how we discuss and engage with mental health concerns”, says Chad Christian, WHPP team’s mini grant coordinator. "We need opportunities for our youth to grow in leadership. The youth need to be heard because their voices matter and these grants can support them as they lead the charge to reduce the stigma that is often associated with mental health concerns and aid in suicide prevention”, adds Raymond Paden, Manager of CSB Wellness, Health Promotion & Prevention services. In addition to the goal of reducing the stigma around mental illness, the mini-grants also aim to promote help-seeking behaviors. While mental health concerns and disorders are common, open and honest discussions about them are not a common occurrence. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in youth ages 10-24. "Far too often, stigma prevents people from getting the care they need and deserve. Stigma, in addition to ongoing stressors, trauma and systemic racism, along with other factors further impacts our physical and mental health,” says Paden. Proposals are due October 18, 2024, and awardees will be announced October 23, 2024. Review the Request for Proposals (also available in Word format) to find out how to apply, and email csbprevention@fairfaxcounty.gov with questions.