Prince William County Holds Ribbon Cutting for Crisis Receiving Center Complex

Prince William County held a ribbon-cutting ceremony today, Oct. 9, to celebrate the completion of construction of the Crisis Receiving Center Complex. The event drew approximately 230 attendees, including state and local officials, community partners and behavioral health advocates. 

The Crisis Receiving Center, or CRC, will provide timely, compassionate, evidence-based behavioral health support to people in mental health crisis. The facility will open to the public once final licensing approvals are complete, which officials are hopeful to happen by the end of the month for the adult unit, with the youth unit shortly thereafter.   

The CRC was designed with the purpose of helping people in crisis in their most difficult and vulnerable moments and guide them toward healing. 

“This facility is impressive, but its purpose is even greater,” said Prince William County Chief Transformation Officer Lisa Madron. “It represents a new dawn for behavioral health in Prince William County and our region. We are committed to learning, growing and serving better together.”  

Board of County Supervisors Chair At-Large Deshundra Jefferson thanked the community partners and advocates who championed the project from its earliest stages.  

“As the CRC ribbon cutting theme says, this is a new dawn which symbolizes renewal, hope and collaboration,” Jefferson said. “It reflects how Prince William County and our partners have come together to strengthen behavioral health for our community.”  

The CRC complex includes 64 chairs and beds for women, men, adolescents and children experiencing crisis. It will operate 24/7, every day of the year, providing responsive care and interventions. 

Board of County Supervisors Vice Chair Andrea Bailey noted that the event was more than a ribbon-cutting ceremony.  

“It is a testament of what happens when compassion, commitment and collaboration come together to serve the people,” Bailey said. “The center represents a promise that in Prince William County, no one will face a mental health crisis alone. It stands as a place of hope, safety and dignity where individuals can find care when they need it the most.” 

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin said the ribbon-cutting marked a milestone in the transformation of behavioral health in Virginia and the country at large.  

“This facility is the national standard. Virginia is leading and demonstrating that we can transform behavioral health,” Youngkin said. “We can meet Virginians where they are... When this facility opens, it will represent not just the Commonwealth's accomplishment, but a Commonwealth's heart.” 

Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Nelson Smith, also spoke of the importance of a facility like the CRC.  

“...I want to put in front of us, mental health care is health care, right? But it's very difficult. And those patients, when they go to hospitals, it's not something that you could put a Band-Aid on or give Tylenol or something like that. Their symptoms... it's not a runny nose. It could be aggression. It could be tears. It could be confusion. So, this place that we're looking at right now is going to be filled with those individuals. But more importantly, these people that we see over here on the side are going to be caring for those people that come through this door. Time is what heals. And love. And so, ... when we think about the stigma, it's nothing that a Band-Aid or pills can heal, but time and community.” 

Connections Health Solutions Chief Executive Officer Colin LeClair thanked the first responders, community providers and advocacy groups supporting the CRC, which has the capacity to care for 15,000 to 18,000 people each year. 

Connections contracts with the county to operate the center, ensuring people in crisis receive help quickly and safely in the least restrictive setting possible. 

“Our multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, nurses, therapists, behavioral health technicians and peer support specialists will provide our nationally recognized model of care and a safe, open and therapeutic environment for adults and youth over age 12, and the impact will be visible,” LeClair said.

During her remarks, Bailey also thanked the Prince William delegation to the Virginia General Assembly and the county’s federal delegation, who all helped make the CRC a reality. 

“Your advocacy has been vital and assuring,” Bailey said.  

The CRC is located in Occoquan District Supervisor Kenny Boddye’s district, who noted that the facility came to be through hard work, imagination and perseverance to the benefit of the community at large.   

“This facility represents years of collaboration between local and state partners, and I want to especially thank Vice Chair Andrea Bailey, whose leadership and persistence helped make this vision a reality,” Boddye said. “Lives will be saved here. Families will be made whole again. And for so many who have felt unseen, this center will be a place of understanding, dignity and hope.” 

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the department of Community Services and Connections hosted a Community Day event that welcomed nearly 500 attendees. The event provided residents with an opportunity to tour the new facility, meet the staff and learn more about the behavioral health services available through Community Services. 

Visit pwcva.gov/cs for more information on how Community Services is committed to improving the wellbeing of residents in the area.  

Watch the video of the CRC Ribbon Cutting here.