Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board

Governor-Elect Abigail Spanberger’s office has appointed Daryl Washington, Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board Executive Director, to be Commissioner of Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services under her administration. The announcement came from Governor-Elect Spanberger’s office.“I am honored to accept Governor-Elect Spanberger’s nomination. I am excited for the opportunity to serve the people of Virginia in this new capacity,” shared Daryl Washington.“It was truly a privilege to work alongside the dedicated team at CSB, community partners, and Fairfax County colleagues to provide the vital support and resources we offer our community. We have come a long way in ensuring that everyone has the support they need to live their healthiest life.”Mr. Washington joined Fairfax County in 1996. He is an experienced behavioral health and developmental disability leader, administrator and clinician. Mr. Washington has provided dedicated leadership to the CSB, serving as Executive Director since 2018 and Deputy Director of Clinical Operations for the five years prior to that.“We are thrilled to learn of this appointment, not only for Daryl, but for the people of Virginia. Mr. Washington is a committed public servant who is dedicated to expanding and enhancing behavioral health services,” shared Chris Leonard, Fairfax County Health and Human Services Deputy County Executive. “I want to thank him for his leadership in driving innovative care as well as rising to meet the significant challenges brought about by the nationwide opioid epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic.”Mr. Washington will step down from his service to Fairfax County on January 16, 2026.Barbara Wadley-Young, PhD, MSW, will serve as the Acting CSB Executive Director. Dr. Wadley-Young is currently CSB Deputy Director of Clinical Operations and has worked in the CSB for a combined total of 20 years, as well as in the private sector. She is a seasoned executive leader in behavioral health and developmental services.The search for the next Executive Director will begin soon and details will be shared on the Fairfax County career website.  Contact for media inquiries: CSBCommunications@fairfaxcounty.gov.

At the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB), the Entry, Assessment and Referral (EAR) Unit helps people take the first step in getting behavioral health care. Whether contacting EAR by phone or in person, everyone is met by a team ready to listen, provide support and connect them to appropriate services.  This month, we spoke with Shana Grady, Psy. D, the Program Manager for the EAR Unit, to learn more about what they do.Q: What is the EAR Unit? Dr. Grady: The Entry, Assessment and Referral (EAR) Unit is often called the “Front Door” for all services at the CSB. It’s a welcoming first stop for help for you, for a family member, or as a provider looking to connect someone to care.Q. What services do they provide? Dr. Grady: EAR includes our call center and walk-in unit that offers walk-in assessments both onsite and via telehealth (where appropriate). Our assessments are conducted by clinicians to help provide an understanding of someone’s behavioral health needs and offer treatment recommendations. Sometimes, EAR connects people directly to CSB services. At other times, they refer them to community programs or other resources better suited to meet their goals. The team is there to listen, assess risk and connect you to the right support—all with warmth and care.Q. What’s something unique about receiving services from the EAR Unit? Dr. Grady: We are grateful to work in partnership with the CSB’s Peer Journey to Hope Program. It’s an important part of our EAR service that includes trained peers, professionals who have lived with behavioral health challenges, who can provide support from the first point of contact and help you connect with the most appropriate resources.Q: Who’s on the EAR team? Dr. Grady: EAR is made up of three teams, working together to serve adults, youth and families. Entry Call Center Team: Includes trained behavioral health specialists who answer calls, manage incoming referrals and help callers navigate resources both within and outside the CSB.Youth Assessment Team: Includes a team of licensed/license eligible clinicians, triage behavioral health specialists and substitute relief counselors who work with young people and their families.Adult Assessment Team: Includes a team of licensed/license eligible clinicians, triage behavioral health specialists, relief counselors, and two nurses who support walk-ins, appointments and telehealth assessments.In FY2025, the Entry Call Center Team showcased their unwavering dedication by expertly handling over 5,000 calls. Each call was met with skill, compassion and the understanding that every person has a unique situation requiring a tailored response to individual needs. In addition to the calls, the EAR Unit completed over 5,000 “triage” screenings resulting in 2,400 assessments.Q: What happens when someone calls the EAR Unit?Dr. Grady: When you call EAR, a team member listens carefully to your needs or those of your family member and helps guide you to the appropriate next steps. For behavioral health support, we will do a phone screening and then recommend a walk-in or telehealth appointment for a further assessment. We’re trained to assess for significant risk and emergencies. In urgent situations, we may connect people to Emergency Services, Mobile Crisis or 911. When a family or individual is seeking services for developmental disabilities, EAR can assess their situation to determine if they should be referred to CSB’s Developmental Disabilities services or if there’s a better referral elsewhere.Q: Can someone just walk in for services? Dr. Grady: Yes, absolutely! We do our best to make sure people who walk in are seen that day. However, there may be times when a team member asks you to come back for full service. We highly encourage you to call our Entry Call Center Team before walking in. We understand it can take courage to walk through the door, and we aim to make sure everyone leaves feeling more hopeful than when they arrived.Q: Do you have a success story to share? Dr. Grady: A new client with a developmental disability recently came to the CSB. EAR staff connected them with a case manager who conducted the appropriate assessment, arranged for a multi-lingual interpreter, and supported the concerned family members who were there. The individual was seen for a same day assessment and successfully resolved the concern they came in for, helping them to leave much happier than when they arrived. Meanwhile, call center staff had a person with suicidal thoughts on the line that led staff to swiftly and skillfully keep the individual talking while coordinating with Emergency Services to dispatch the mobile crisis unit to the individual for support. This exemplifies how our front door team provide so much more than just “triage” or “assessment”. Our clinical team responds with speed, skill and flexibility to take care of all those seeking support, providing helpful guidance at every point until the person (and family) feels more hopeful about taking the next steps to better health and recovery.Q: Why should someone come to EAR? Dr. Grady: Starting the process of finding behavioral health support can feel scary, but EAR exists to transform that fear into hope. Our compassionate team is your first stop for care, whether you call us or walk in. Let us help you take that first step, you don’t have to do that alone.Q: How do people reach EAR? Dr. Grady: You can call EAR at 703-383-8500 TTY 771, Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome 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 issues, walk-in services are available 24/7 at the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health or call 703-573-5679 TTY 711. Contact for media inquiries: CSBCommunications@fairfaxcounty.gov.

The Fairfax County Health Department, in collaboration with the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB), hosted a Community Health Project Competition for 10 students enrolled in Fairfax County’s Public Health Youth Ambassador Program Evening and Weekend program. The event took place on Saturday, December 13 at the Fairfax County Government Center.Students from high schools across Fairfax County presented public health projects that were judged by local health leaders and subject-matter experts from the CSB, including LaVurne Williams, Lawrence Smith, Brian D. Anderson and Donna Chittum. Daryl Washington, CSB Executive Director, and Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu, Director of the Fairfax County Health Department, also attended to present to students. Read the full story: Youth Ambassadors Shine in Community Health Project Competition.Learn more about the Public Health Youth Ambassador Program and how to apply for the Spring 2026 Cohort.

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.