The Regional Older Adult Facilities Mental Health Support Team (RAFT), funded by a Virginia state grant and a federal block grant, is managed by Arlington County Senior Adult Services.
RAFT provides intensive multidisciplinary mental health treatment for older adults (age 65 or older) with severe mental illness. The program is set to assist 40 seniors who have residence in City of Alexandria, Fairfax County, City of Falls Church, Loudoun County, Prince William County, City of Manassas, City of Manassas Park, or Arlington County.
RAFT fills a vital community need for seniors who require intensive specialized mental health services. It makes it possible to discharge seniors from Piedmont and Eastern State Hospitals to closer-to-home, less restrictive Northern Virginia nursing homes and assisted living facilities. In addition, RAFT seeks to divert seniors in Northern Virginia from being admitted to state hospitals by placing them in a Northern Virginia nursing home or assisted living facility.