Crisis Receiving Center

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The Crisis Receiving Center project is completed. The center is fully operational.

Crisis Receiving Center building rendering

PWC Works projects reflect our commitment of striving for exceptional customer service, maximizing operational efficiencies, increasing modernization, providing excellent service delivery, and collaborating with the community for a coordinated response that achieves the best possible outcomes for our residents and the overall wellbeing of the county.


What is the Crisis Receiving Center?

The Crisis Receiving Center (CRC) is a state-of-the-art facility providing onsite intensive mental health crisis services for individuals in need. It is part of a groundbreaking project aimed at creating a more responsive behavioral health system in Prince William County. By addressing mental health and substance use challenges, the CRC will serve as a critical resource for individuals in crisis, providing comprehensive, timely care while reducing reliance on emergency rooms and law enforcement.

The CRC provides a regional crisis facility operated by Connections Health Solutions and separate co-located Community Services programs for Prince William County residents at risk or having a mental health or substance use disorder. This partnership offers a continuum of services to address the crisis and behavioral health needs in our community.


Main Goals of the Crisis Receiving Center

The goal of the CRC is to provide a safe and secure center offering immediate support during mental health crises. Converting the former Gander Mountain building to the Crisis Receiving Center will provide space for the operations of mental health and substance use services and programs including:

  • 24/7 Care and Interventions: Around-the-clock services from professionals offering assessments, stabilization and follow-up care.
  • Mobile Crisis Response Team: Community-based, on-demand support to divert crises away from law enforcement.
  • Co-located PWC Community Services Programs: Integrated psychiatric care, peer support and community resources for individuals with serious mental illness or substance use disorders to promote long-term recovery and lower recidivism rates.
  • Collaborative Continuum of Care: Partnerships with local hospitals, healthcare providers, and community organizations to ensure seamless support for individuals and families.

Northern Virginia struggles with significant mental health and substance use issues. The construction of the CRC will address:

  • Limited Psychiatric Resources: Emergency rooms are overburdened, with long wait times and inadequate community support.
  • High Out-of-Area Placements: Prince William County sees the highest rate of out-of-area placements for Temporary Detention Orders (TDOs) in the region.
  • Overreliance on Law Enforcement: Mental health crises often fall on law enforcement to manage, straining resources while lacking healthcare-based solutions.
  • Limited Immediate Care Options: Many residents lack access to timely, local support.
  • High Recidivism Rates: Without comprehensive care, individuals often find themselves returning to crisis situations.


Success Criteria of the Crisis Receiving Center

The CRC will provide a facility for direct care for those in need, offering:

  • Immediate support
  • Stabilization
  • Connection to long-term treatment

By integrating essential services under one roof and fostering collaboration between hospitals, law enforcement and community organizations, the CRC paves the way for a healthier, more resilient community.


Major Milestones Completed (2020-2023)

March 2020: The concept for the CRC Initiative set in motion.

March 2021 – May 2023: Critical funding of $11.9 million was secured through federal, state and local partnerships.

November 2022: Prince William County selected Connections Health Solutions, a national leader in behavioral health crisis care, as the vendor to operate the CRC.

March 2023: The county purchased the former Gander Mountain building in Woodbridge to house the CRC

May 2023: CRC dedication ceremony was held. Governor Glenn Youngkin pledged $58 million to support crisis receiving centers across Virginia, recognizing the Prince William CRC as a state model.

PWC Works projects reflect our commitment of striving for exceptional customer service, maximizing operational efficiencies, increasing modernization, providing excellent service delivery, and collaborating with the community for a coordinated response that achieves the best possible outcomes for our residents and the overall wellbeing of the county.


What is the Crisis Receiving Center?

The Crisis Receiving Center (CRC) is a state-of-the-art facility providing onsite intensive mental health crisis services for individuals in need. It is part of a groundbreaking project aimed at creating a more responsive behavioral health system in Prince William County. By addressing mental health and substance use challenges, the CRC will serve as a critical resource for individuals in crisis, providing comprehensive, timely care while reducing reliance on emergency rooms and law enforcement.

The CRC provides a regional crisis facility operated by Connections Health Solutions and separate co-located Community Services programs for Prince William County residents at risk or having a mental health or substance use disorder. This partnership offers a continuum of services to address the crisis and behavioral health needs in our community.


Main Goals of the Crisis Receiving Center

The goal of the CRC is to provide a safe and secure center offering immediate support during mental health crises. Converting the former Gander Mountain building to the Crisis Receiving Center will provide space for the operations of mental health and substance use services and programs including:

  • 24/7 Care and Interventions: Around-the-clock services from professionals offering assessments, stabilization and follow-up care.
  • Mobile Crisis Response Team: Community-based, on-demand support to divert crises away from law enforcement.
  • Co-located PWC Community Services Programs: Integrated psychiatric care, peer support and community resources for individuals with serious mental illness or substance use disorders to promote long-term recovery and lower recidivism rates.
  • Collaborative Continuum of Care: Partnerships with local hospitals, healthcare providers, and community organizations to ensure seamless support for individuals and families.

Northern Virginia struggles with significant mental health and substance use issues. The construction of the CRC will address:

  • Limited Psychiatric Resources: Emergency rooms are overburdened, with long wait times and inadequate community support.
  • High Out-of-Area Placements: Prince William County sees the highest rate of out-of-area placements for Temporary Detention Orders (TDOs) in the region.
  • Overreliance on Law Enforcement: Mental health crises often fall on law enforcement to manage, straining resources while lacking healthcare-based solutions.
  • Limited Immediate Care Options: Many residents lack access to timely, local support.
  • High Recidivism Rates: Without comprehensive care, individuals often find themselves returning to crisis situations.


Success Criteria of the Crisis Receiving Center

The CRC will provide a facility for direct care for those in need, offering:

  • Immediate support
  • Stabilization
  • Connection to long-term treatment

By integrating essential services under one roof and fostering collaboration between hospitals, law enforcement and community organizations, the CRC paves the way for a healthier, more resilient community.


Major Milestones Completed (2020-2023)

March 2020: The concept for the CRC Initiative set in motion.

March 2021 – May 2023: Critical funding of $11.9 million was secured through federal, state and local partnerships.

November 2022: Prince William County selected Connections Health Solutions, a national leader in behavioral health crisis care, as the vendor to operate the CRC.

March 2023: The county purchased the former Gander Mountain building in Woodbridge to house the CRC

May 2023: CRC dedication ceremony was held. Governor Glenn Youngkin pledged $58 million to support crisis receiving centers across Virginia, recognizing the Prince William CRC as a state model.

The Crisis Receiving Center project is completed. The center is fully operational.

  • Prince William Crisis Receiving Center Now Accepting Walk-In Clients

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    The Prince William Crisis Receiving Center, or CRC, located within the newly established Crisis Receiving Center Complex, is now accepting walk-in clients.

    “The crisis receiving center offers immediate, compassionate behavioral health care 24/7/365. Individuals can walk into the center at any time to receive crisis care,” said Niisha Gordon, Strategic Account Manager for Connections Health Solutions, the organization that operates the center under contract with the county.

    Between its opening on Oct. 28, 2025, and Jan. 6, 2026, the CRC served a total of 304 adults; 164 required a higher level of care in the crisis stabilization unit. Within the first month of being open, the out-of-area placement for Prince William County dropped from 43 percent to just 4 percent.

    With the addition of walk-in services, the CRC advances its mission of providing timely, comprehensive crisis support. Services include youth and adult crisis stabilization, 23-hour observation for both youth and adults, post-acute wraparound care and a direct connection to Prince William Community Services through a coordinated referral process.

    A key component of the CRC’s model is the use of “warm hand-offs,” which help ensure individuals are connected to appropriate follow-up care and resources after their immediate behavioral health crisis has been addressed. These connections may occur before or at discharge and can involve discharge planners, peer support staff or providers who help guide individuals to the next level of care.

    “Walk-in services make it easier for individuals and families to get help when they need it most,” said Lisa Madron, Executive Director of Prince William Community Services. “By offering immediate access to care, we can support people earlier, reduce barriers and help prevent crises from escalating.”

    The introduction of walk-in services is expected to help individuals receive care more quickly and reduce reliance on hospital emergency departments. People who may have previously sought care through law enforcement or emergency rooms now have the option to go directly to the CRC for behavioral health crisis support.

    The CRC serves Greater Prince William, as well as Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun counties and the City of Alexandria. The center also offers withdrawal management for some individuals experiencing behavioral health crises related to alcohol or opioid use.

    The CRC’s stabilization unit includes 32 recliner chairs, 16 adult beds and 16 youth beds designed to support individuals 12 and older experiencing crisis.

    For more information about Prince William Community Services, visit pwcva.gov/cs.

  • Prince William County Crisis Receiving Center Shows Early Success

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    The Prince William Crisis Receiving Center, or CRC, which opened for medical transfers on Oct. 28 for adults and Dec. 1 for youth, is already demonstrating strong early results in supporting individuals experiencing behavioral health crises and reducing reliance on inpatient psychiatric hospitalization.

    As of Dec. 9, 2025, the CRC has served 167 adults through its 23-hour observation unit. Of those individuals, 91 transitioned to short-term residential crisis services that provide therapy, medication support and stabilization as alternatives to inpatient hospitalization. As a result, out-of-area placements dropped from 43 percent to just four percent.

    “We have seen evidence that the model has been very successful, particularly in lowering the out-of-placement for individuals under emergency custody orders and temporary detention orders,” said Lisa Madron, Prince William Community Services Executive Director. 

    “One private hospital where we placed 16 individuals for psychiatric hospitalization in October called because they had not received any placements in November due to the CRC opening,” said Madron.

    Designed as a welcoming and therapeutic environment, the CRC connects individuals to the most appropriate level of care, while supporting recovery and community reintegration.

    Prince William County Executive Chris Shorter said the CRC’s early performance reflects the county’s long-term commitment to modernizing behavioral health crisis care.

    “In just a matter of weeks, the Crisis Receiving Center is proving that when we invest in people-centered, community-based solutions, we get better outcomes for residents and for our public safety and healthcare systems,” Shorter said. “This facility is helping people receive the care they need right here in their own community, and that is a major step forward for behavioral health services in Prince William County and the region.”

    Operated by Connections Health Solutions under contract with Prince William Community Services, the center utilizes a 23-hour observation model and includes an on-site Crisis Stabilization Unit for individuals requiring more intensive, short-term care. This co-location of crisis, outpatient and community-based services in one location offers capabilities that exceed those of many crisis receiving centers across the state, including medical assessment, withdrawal management and the ability to safely serve individuals under Temporary Detention Orders.

    While the CRC is not yet open for walk-in services, referrals are currently accepted from regional Community Services Boards, hospitals and law enforcement agencies, serving individuals from Prince William, Fairfax, Loudoun and Arlington counties, as well as the cities of Alexandria, Manassas and Manassas Park.

    For more information about Prince William Community Services, visit pwcva.gov/cs.

  • A New Dawn for Behavorial Health in Prince William Couny

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    Prince William County is entering the next milestone in transforming our regional behavioral health system.

    On Tuesday, October 28, at 1 p.m., Connections Health Solutions launched Phase One operations at the Crisis Receiving Center, or CRC, located at the Worth Avenue complex.

    What This Means:

    • Connections Health Solutions will begin accepting referrals from Community Services Boards and hospitals for the adult 23-Hour Observation and Crisis Stabilization Units, meaning law enforcement can bring adults experiencing a behavioral health crisis to the first responder entrance at the CRC under both voluntary and involuntary status.

    • The public entrance is not yet open for walk-in services.

    • Community Services programs co-located at the CRC including Access, Emergency Services, Trauma Treatment, Medication Assisted Treatment, Peer Support, Recovery Support Services, Program for Assertive Community Treatment, Housing and New Horizons Youth Programs are completing final readiness work to ensure a seamless transition as additional phases come online.

    Launching in phases follows behavioral health best practices, emphasizing safety, coordination and quality. Phase One allows partners—first responders, hospitals and care providers—to align systems and workflows before expanding full public access.

    Residents should continue using existing behavioral health access points:

    • Emergency Services: 703-792-7800

    • Access Program Walk-Ins: Monday–Thursday, Sudley North, 12:30–3 p.m.

    This milestone marks significant progress toward a fully realized Crisis Receiving Center Complex—a connected system designed to deliver timely, compassionate care and strengthen community well-being across Prince William County.

  • Crisis Receiving Center Progress Update - April 2025

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    Construction on the new Crisis Receiving Center is progressing steadily with major structural elements completed, and interior work and critical systems installations now underway. This facility represents a vital step forward in expanding access to urgent mental health care in our community. Once opened, the center will offer a safe, supportive space for individuals in crisis, providing immediate care and connecting them to long-term resources.

    Recent accomplishments include:

    • Significant interior finishes progress in Areas A/B, including flooring, doors, cabinetry, and millwork
    • Advancement of drywall finishing and ceiling installations in Areas C/D
    • Installation of door frames and curved safety walls in patient areas
    • Ceiling grid installations and drywall finishing in Areas E/F
    • Removal and replacement of all five rooftop HVAC units for improved energy efficiency
    • Major electrical distribution system upgrades with new panels and connections
    • Progress on security systems including wiring connections and camera installations
    • Exterior siding installation and finishing around entrance areas
    • Site work for new EV charging stations initiated

    Work to be completed this spring into summer includes:

    • Completion of all interior finishes throughout the facility
    • Final inspections and system testing
    • Commissioning of mechanical, electrical, and security systems
    • Punch list development and resolution
    • Furniture installation and equipment setup

    Final construction completion and building turnover to the operations team is anticipated for late summer with the center opening and services beginning in the fall.

    An update on the Crisis Receiving Center project will be presented to the Board of County Supervisors at their meeting on Tuesday, May 20. Watch the presentation at pwcva.gov/department/board-county-supervisors/live-video-briefs-archives.