Crisis Receiving Center

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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.