An increasing number of cities and counties nationwide, including the City of Alexandria and Fairfax County, have put in place programs where mental health professionals respond along with law enforcement to people experiencing a mental health challenge.
In Fairfax County, the program is resulting in a number of positive outcomes for everyone involved. The program, called the Fairfax County Co-Responder Program, is a partnership between the Police Department and the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB).
Fairfax County's co-response teams include a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trained police officer and a crisis intervention specialist. They provide immediate support to people who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis, and connect them with resources as needed. All team members have experience working with community members in crisis and receive advance-level training.
The goals of the program are to de-escalate behavioral crises, connect people to ongoing assistance and support, and "
- Decrease involvement in the criminal justice system and arrests involving behavioral health.
- Decrease need for emergency custody orders/temporary detention orders, as appropriate.
- Decrease visits to emergency departments and address capacity issues in psychiatric hospitals by providing less restrictive community-based alternatives for people in crisis.
As of May 2023, the most recent data available from Fairfax County officials, the co-responder program reported the following results:
- More than 1100 responses.
- Over 50% of calls were resolved in the field with no further action needed.
- Close to one-third were diverted from potential arrest and/or hospitalization.
- 26% of people were linked to a higher level of care.
The program is working so well that Fairfax County plans to expand it. Currently, there are two co-responder teams available seven days a week from noon to midnight, and one team three days a week from 2 to 11 p.m. An additional team will be added this fall.
The City of Alexandria is also experiencing success with its "ACORP" (Alexandria Co-Response Program) and in late 2022 an evaluation of the program recommended expansion.
If you need support for a behavioral health issue in Fairfax County, call the Community Services Board at 703-383-8500. You can also call the Regional Crisis Call Center at 703-527-4077, or text 85511. In the City of Alexandria, call 703.746.3401 and ask to speak to an Emergency Services clinician.
Residents may also call 911 and request a co-response intervention.
