Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board

The holiday season is often described as “cheerful,” but it can also bring stress and emotional challenges. That's why it's so important to stop and listen to your own needs in the midst of all of the hustle and bustle. Whether you’re dealing with grief, social, financial or emotional stress, support is available from the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB). This month, we sat down with Stacey Lawson, Division Director of Residential Treatment and Detoxification Services to learn more about the mental health and substance use support that is available 24/7 — even throughout the holidays. A Q&A with Stacey Lawson, Division Director in Residential Treatment and Detoxification Services. Q. Hi Stacey! The holiday season is officially here, and we know it may be a difficult time for some. Does the CSB stay open during the holidays? A. Absolutely! The CSB has several 24/7 treatment options, in addition to our scheduled services, for people struggling with mental health and substance use. Support doesn’t stop no matter what time of year it is. Q. Can you share more about the residential treatment services that are open 24/7? A. The Residential Treatment and Detox Services Division includes multiple residential programs. Services within this division are offered by a multi-disciplinary team made up of substance use, mental health and medical professionals. Our team also works with peer support services and community partners. The Fairfax Detoxification Center (or “Detox Center”) serves individuals who need withdrawal management services who typically stay for 7-10 days. This short-term support helps stabilize clients medically and prepares them for the next step in their recovery journey. Services at Detox Center include clinical and medical withdrawal management, daily acupuncture, introduction to the 12-Step recovery process, assessment and referral, overdose prevention education, and much more. The Detox Diversion Program operating out of the Detox Center in Chantilly runs seven days a week from 2:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. The program provides community outreach and intervention to individuals in need of detox services.  A New Beginning serves individuals who need residential treatment for substance use disorder and/or co-occurring mental health conditions. This longer-term program typically lasts about two and a half months and includes individual, group, and family counseling; trauma therapy; and a step-down supervised living component. Crossroads serves individuals with severe substance use disorders and/or co-occurring mental health disorders. Individuals served at this program can stay 30 days up to four months. The program provides a highly structured environment that fosters recovery skills, family engagement, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), as well as a holistic approach to care, recreational activities and 12-step support meetings. Q. Who else is eligible to participate in these treatment programs? A. People interested in residential or detox treatment must be 18 years or older, reside in Fairfax County or the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church, and meet the clinical criteria for a residential level of care for substance use disorder. Q. What if someone has a mental health issue but isn’t using any substances? A. The CSB offers crisis stabilization through the Wellness Circle program. This program provides an alternative to psychiatric hospitalization for Northern Virginia residents. They offer several services to help people improve negative symptoms as well as assist in developing a plan that will support them in maintaining their recovery. Q. How do you access these services and where do you go to get help? A. To access our mental health or substance use services, call the CSB Entry and Referral team at 703-383-8500 TTY 711 or the Detoxification Center directly at 703-502-7000 TTY 703-322-9080. You can also walk into the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health at 8221 Willow Oaks Corporate Dr., Fairfax, Virginia, 22031. The hours are Monday –Thursday from 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. and Friday from 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. People with Developmental Disabilities who need support should call 703-324-4400 TTY 711. Q. What positive outcomes have you observed among individuals who participate in treatment? A. We are fortunate to witness, through the application of evidence-based practices, decreased substance use which leads to improved mental well-being, and ultimately improved personal relationships, employment opportunities and better physical health. Q. What is your favorite success story?   A. I have worked in the CSB Residential Treatment Division serving our community for 26 years. I have seen so many lives positively impacted by our services, it’s impossible to pick just one. However, it feels really rewarding to know that some individuals who I served during my first year of working at the CSB are still clean and sober 26 years later. Some even now work for the CSB and are giving back themselves! Access CSB Services As you can see, the CSB is ready to support you or someone you love in their time of need — day or night. And in addition to the services described here, Emergency Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 703-573-5679, or walk-in at Sharon Bulova Center. For urgent mental health related distress or suicidal thoughts, call or text 988. If you are navigating the challenges of mental health issues and substance use, it’s important to remember that no one has to face these struggles alone. The CSB is here for you. Your well-being matters and reaching out for help is a sign of strength. Together, we can take steps toward healing, hope and a better tomorrow. Contact Information For media inquiries, contact CSBCommunications@fairfaxcounty.gov.

"I have seen people come into the program with very little and they left married, employed, housed, and healthy. That’s what motivates me to show up to work every day!" – Jamie Hurd, Docket Coordinator, Veterans Treatment DocketA Q&A with Jamie Hurd, Docket Coordinator for the Veterans Treatment Docket.Jamie Hurd has worked with the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board’s Veterans Treatment Docket for the past six years. We recently sat down with Jamie to gain a deeper understanding of the unique mental health and substance use challenges that veterans face – especially when they may have involvement with the criminal justice system.Q: What is the Veterans Treatment Docket?A: The Veterans Treatment Docket is a specialized program in the Jail-Based Services Division at the CSB that focuses on veterans’ mental health and substance use recovery. Recognizing the toll on veterans that accompanies military service, the docket’s mission is to serve the community and increase public safety by integrating and incorporating a coordinated treatment response for justice-involved veterans with substance abuse and/or mental health issues. The program’s goal is for these veterans to return to the community as healthy, goal-oriented individuals.Q: That’s a great service! So, what is your involvement with veterans?A: My involvement with veterans is two-fold. First, I am a child of the military. I grew up with parents who both served in the United States Navy, so I had the opportunity to witness firsthand, the unique, and sometimes hidden qualities, of what it means to serve in the armed forces.Secondly, as a former military dependent, I feel divinely led to pursue a career that supports veterans and their healing journey.In my role as Docket Coordinator for the Veterans Treatment Docket, I complete the daily administrative requirements for our high- and low-risk tracks that are attached to two different courts. Before becoming Docket Coordinator, I was a Treatment Coordinator with the docket where I was the liaison between treatment providers and the courts. I conducted clinical assessments for veterans entering the docket to determine appropriate level of care and collaborated with treatment providers to identify behaviors or substance use patterns that could be targeted in treatment.Q: I’m sure that’s a very validating role to fulfill. Based on your experience, what would you say is the most important thing to consider when working with a veteran?A: I think it’s important to recognize that there’s a distinct culture within the military, but it’s critical to remember that every veteran has an incredibly individual experience. This is important because you don’t want to assume just because someone is a veteran, that they all come from the same experience. Each branch of service has its own culture and it’s important as a service provider to study and understand each culture, so they feel understood, seen and more comfortable sharing during treatment sessions and case management appointments. Also, it’s common for alcohol to be present in military culture, so it’s valuable to consider the social role alcohol may have played in an individual’s story that could have led to their legal situation. This consideration also helps us determine the most appropriate services to offer to the veteran that will give them the highest chance of recovery.Q: That’s very helpful. How is the CSB ensuring veterans are being served with due diligence?A: At the CSB, every individual screened for services is asked if they have ever served in the military. We also recognize the importance of word choice. For example, some individuals may not identify as a “veteran” even though they have served in the military. So, we make sure to use language that is easier to identify and associate with. Additionally, it’s important that we engage in conversation with veterans about their relationship with their military status. This is pivotal in understanding how their identity is shaped and how to provide service to them.Q: What’s the most valuable thing your team offers veterans?A: A second chance. The docket offers treatment, but it’s so much more than that. We’re giving our justice-involved veterans, men and women who chose to serve our country, another opportunity to get it right. I have seen people come into the program with very little and they left married, employed, housed, and healthy. That’s what motivates me to show up to work every day!Q: If someone has a veteran in their life that they’d like to offer support to, what would you share with them?A: Approach the veteran you love with compassion, not expectations or judgment. Understand that veterans may be hesitant to ask for help and may carry feelings of shame. Conversation topics like PTSD can be emotionally heavy, so it’s important to be patient, kind, and sensitive to signs that they may not be ready to talk. Even if they aren’t ready to open up, keep showing up – your presence alone can mean more than words. To all veterans and their loved ones: Thank you for your service, dedication and sacrifice.If you, or a veteran you know, is in need of crisis support, reach out to the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 and press 1. Access CSB ServicesFor CSB Non-Emergency Behavioral Health Services, call CSB Entry & Referral at 703-383-8500 TTY 771, Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You may also walk-in at the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Friday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.For emergency mental health or substance use services, walk-in services are available 24/7 at the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health or call 703-573-5679 TTY 711.Contact InformationFor media inquiries, contact CSBCommunications@fairfaxcounty.gov.

The Fairfax Falls-Church Community Services Board is updating security procedures for people visiting the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health (8221 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive Fairfax, VA, 22031). These new procedures are intended to ensure a safe and secure environment for everyone. Beginning on Saturday, November 1, 2025, all visitors and county staff who do not have a valid Fairfax County ID badge should be aware of the following changes. Entry Visitors may only come into and leave the building through the following entrances: South Lobby Entrance, far right door, next to the parking garage. This entrance is open Monday – Thursday from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Emergency Services Entrance, lower level. This entry is available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week Visitors who need ADA accommodation may enter and exit through the South Lobby and Emergency Services doors. Screening All visitors will be screened (checked) before entering the building. If a visitor refuses screening, they will not be allowed inside. Screening includes the following. Visitors will pass through a magnetometer (a metal detector) or handheld wand. All belongings must be removed from pockets and put in a security bin to be checked by security officer. If the magnetometer alerts, security officers will screen the individual with a hand-held wand. Visitors with a metal or a medical device within their body will be screened by a security officer with a hand-held wand. All bags, packages, strollers and other items that could hide items that are not allowed will be manually checked by security officer. Please plan ahead and allow extra time for this process. Prohibited Items Visitors will not be allowed to enter the building with any weapon or item that could be used as a weapon. Items that are not allowed (prohibited) include: Weapons of any kind. This includes firearms and knives. Sharp objects Tools Any item that could be used to cause harm If security officers find a prohibited item, the visitor will not be allowed to enter the building. Visitors will be given the option to return the item to their car and return to the screening process. For questions or special accommodation, please contact the Sharon Bulova Center at 703-559-3000 before visiting.   Contact Information For media inquiries, contact CSBCommunications@fairfaxcounty.gov.      

Finding mental health and/or substance use help for youth can be overwhelming. With so many kinds of resources available, it can be hard to know where to start. Fairfax County has a free, new tool to help young people and their families find assistance: Youth Care Navigation Services. Developed under the county’s Healthy Minds Fairfax program, Youth Care Navigation Services help families of children, teens and young adults up to age 25, navigate the process of finding appropriate mental health and substance use treatment services. Combining personal support from trained specialists with a specialized online self-help resource search engine, the county's initiative aims to reduce barriers for families seeking care. Making Sense of a Complicated System Based on several years of data about behavioral health concerns among Fairfax County youth, the Board of Supervisors convened a diverse group of stakeholders to recommend ways to address the issue. Among the main themes to emerge from that discussion was that too often, young people and their families did not know where to turn for help or how to access it. Mental health and substance use treatment options may appear fragmented, leaving families struggling to discover which services are available where, which providers accept their insurance, and which kinds of help are best suited for their child’s circumstances. Youth Care Navigation services aim to connect families to the appropriate care as quickly and effectively as possible. What Youth Care Navigation Services Offer There are two tools available: The opportunity to connect with a personal Care Navigator, and A localized online search engine that helps to identify providers and resources. The combination of human expertise and technology provides flexibility, recognizing that different families may prefer different approaches to finding help. These resources are available to people who live in Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax or Falls Church at no cost. Care Navigators The personal Care Navigation service connects families directly to trained specialists, known as Care Navigators. These professionals help assess a family’s specific needs, identify available local resources, and assist in breaking down barriers such as insurance or logistical challenges. Care Navigators: Work with families to develop individualized action plans tailored to the particular mental health or substance use concern. Provide curated recommendations for local providers, focusing on compatibility in terms of medical specialties, proximity, insurance acceptance, language preferences, and cultural considerations. Speak English, Spanish and Arabic. Interpreters are also available for other languages. To connect with a Care Navigator, call 703-468-0040 or email youthcarenav@hopelinkbh.org. Learn More About Care Navigation    Online Self-Help Resources Search Tool For those who prefer to explore options independently, there is also an online search engine powered by the find help platform. This easy-to-use website allows users to explore a range of providers, treatment options and mental health tools in the community. Families can filter search results by various criteria, including location, age group, type of treatment needed, and whether insurance is accepted. The combination of these services provides options for families in different circumstances, whether they prefer to call and speak to a specialist or simply want to explore locally available resources on their own. By pairing technology with compassionate, hands-on care, these care navigation tools deliver a lifeline to families in need. Find Help   Community Support for Families in Need In working to provide resources that make it easier for families to get help when they need it most, Healthy Minds Fairfax aims to build hope and resilience in the community. Facing mental health or substance use challenges may feel overwhelming. Youth Care Navigation Services help to ensure that no family has to face the challenges alone.   Contact Information For media inquiries, contact CSBCommunications@fairfaxcounty.gov.