Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board

Did you know that mental health professionals from the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) are present in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)? Among the services offered for youth and families at the CSB, School-Based Teams are in select FCPS schools to enable students to attend behavioral health appointments with a therapist during the school day. A student or family may contact their student services staff (counselor, social worker or psychologist) to discuss eligibility for this service. Additionally, through the partnership between the CSB and FCPS, youth may access services through the Student Assistance Program (SAP). In response to the continued need for support for those affected by opioid use, the CSB’s Youth Medication-Assisted Treatment (YMAT) program, previously only offered at the Sharon Bulova Center in Merrifield, recently expanded to include a clinic at the Gerry Hyland Government Center in South County. This program uses a medical approach to stabilize and treat individuals so they may lead active and sustainable lives. Another exciting initiative launched over the summer is the availability to now access community-based behavioral health services for youth ages 5 to 18 and their families in more locations. These services are now available at three community centers throughout Fairfax County: Herndon Neighborhood Resource Center, Hybla Valley Community Center, and James Lee Community Center. Healthy Minds and Healthy Families Healthy Minds Fairfax is a supportive resource providing guidance, direction, and assistance to youth and their families who have specialized behavioral health needs. One unique free service coordinated through Healthy Minds is Family Support Partners. These are trained parents of teens or young adults with mental health issues who are experienced in navigating systems to access services. To contact Healthy Minds, you may email DFSHealthyMinds@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-324-7938. Gear up for Back to School with Lifesaving and Supportive Trainings The CSB’s Wellness Health Promotion and Prevention program provides regular trainings and presentations that educate and provide attendees with valuable tools that can be used to directly support youths in their lives. Additional information and upcoming training dates are available on the CSB website. Question, Persuade, and Refer – Suicide Prevention Training Talk. They hear you. – Underage Drinking Prevention Training Mental Health First Aid Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Education (REVIVE! Kit Training) Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Training Call the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) for guidance and behavioral health resources at 703-383-8500 (TTY 711). CSB Emergency Services are available 24/7 at 703-573-5679 (TTY 711).

Help is on the way for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families living in Virginia who need support to improve their lives and wellbeing. State legislation was recently signed that expanded funding to provide services for individuals on the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Developmental Disability Waiver (often referred to as a DD Waiver) Priority One Wait List. This allows for significantly more waiver slots for Virginians with developmental disabilities.  Addressing a Critical Need Individuals on the DD Waiver Priority One Wait List have been given this designation in response to their high level of needed support. Support services are crucial for their daily living, personal care and community integration. With the expansion of available waiver slots, the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) will work with stakeholders to arrange assistance for those who have been waiting for essential support. The Virginia 2024-2026 Biennium Budget allocated $247 million for 3,440 Priority One Waiver Slots. Legislation also updated rules on utilizing the waivers, extending additional flexibility to individuals seeking services, and providing additional support for administering the waiver process. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin participates in a bill signing ceremony in Roanoke, on June 25, 2024, signing of 18 bipartisan pieces of legislation that enhance support and accessibility for Virginians with developmental disabilities. Official Photo by Lori Massengill, Office of Governor Glenn Youngkin. Local Impact The CSB coordinates community-based supports for individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities (the term "developmental disability" is now understood to include "intellectual disability" as well as autism and other developmental disabilities), and for individuals admitted to or discharged from state training centers and hospitals. CSB Support Coordinators help individuals and families identify their needs and link them to needed services and resources in the community. Supportive services provided by the CSB and contractors include medical, educational, employment, housing, transportation, legal, and problem-solving skills development services. Fairfax-Falls Church currently has 1,171 individuals on the Priority One Waiver Wait List. Waivers will be allocated on a schedule to support the reduction of individuals on the waitlist over the next few years. The waiver slots will be allocated to those with the highest level of need indicated by Critical Needs Score (CNS) through the Commonwealth Department of Behavioral Health and Disability Services (DBHDS) established Waiver Slot Allocation Committee (WSAC) process. The expansion of services is expected to have a significant impact on the Fairfax-Falls Church community. For individuals with developmental disabilities, access to services means increased capacity for greater independence, improved quality of life, and enhanced opportunities for community participation. For families, it provides much-needed relief and support, allowing them to better care for their loved ones. The CSB is the "point of entry" to apply for services for residents of Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church who have developmental disabilities. The agency has a webpage dedicated to providing updates on the DD Waiver process and recent developments. To learn more about the application process for services for persons with developmental disabilities and to schedule an appointment, please call 703-324-4400 (TTY 711) to contact an Intake Support Coordinator.

The Diversion First 2023 Annual Report is now available. Dive in and learn about how the Fairfax County Government is more efficiently using public resources to prevent repeat encounters with the criminal justice system, improve public safety and promote a healthier community! “Diversion First” is a continuum of services that offers alternatives to incarceration for people with mental illness, co-occurring substance use disorders and/or developmental disabilities. Its 2023 Annual Report details outcomes from its 8th full year. From 2016-2023, the program has enabled 3,800+ diversions from potential arrest. The programs and services offered through this cross-system initiative continue to provide alternatives to arrest and incarceration, combat stigma, and offer hope, recovery and a path out of the justice system. Read more about its efficient and effective work in its latest Annual Report.

Connections Health Solutions recently announced the opening of a new 16 bed crisis treatment center in Chantilly, Virginia. The new Connections Chantilly crisis treatment center provides compassionate medical and recovery-oriented care for individuals experiencing behavioral health and substance use crises. "The opening of this new treatment center marks a significant step forward in our plan to improve crisis care across the Northern Virginia area, providing essential resources and support to those in need," said Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board Executive Director Daryl Washington. "Now more individuals in need can receive treatment in a space that was specifically designed to encourage and engage them on their path to recovery." Learn more about the Connections Chantilly facility and its opening on the Connections Health Solutions website.