Politics & Government

New 24/7 Children's Mental Health Program to Launch Next Year

The new Northern Virginia service, lead by Arlington County, is expected to launch in January.

by Jason Spencer

Arlington County will lead a regional effort to help children experiencing crises related to a broad range of mental health issues.

The 24-hour service will have a central number that can be called in times of crisis in Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park and Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties.

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The program will be made possible thanks to an $825,000 grant from the state Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services that was given to address a regional need for community crisis response and child psychiatry services, according to a news release.

“Arlington is looking forward to leading this effort to help kids in crisis across our region,” Arlington County Board Chairman Walter Tejada said in a statement. “This program will provide  more effective, child-centered emergency services for those in need.”

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The service will provide assistance for children under 18 who need help with behavioral issues, serious emotional disturbances, serious mental illness or substance abuse, the release states.

Two teams will be established through a contracted vendor to provide 24/7 crisis intervention and stabilization services in English and Spanish, according to county documents. The teams will refer the young people to crisis stabilization beds — two locations will be established — or to psychiatric hospitalization as needed. 

The crisis stabilization beds will be funded by insurance when possible. A regional pool of money will be established to serve children without health insurance, according to a county staff report.

“Human services agencies, Community Services Boards, and families throughout the region have long recognized the need for specialized crisis services and psychiatric care for children,” said Arlington County Department of Human Services Director Susanne Eisner. “Through this program, we can get kids the help they need, when they need it, and do it all within the community – close to friends and family.”

The service is expected to launch in January.


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