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RICHMOND, VA — Governor Glenn Youngkin today joined state and local leaders to break ground on Colonial Behavioral Health’s new Crisis Services Center, a $12.5 million facility that will provide urgently needed crisis care for up to 24 individuals at a time. The center, part of Governor Youngkin’s Right Help, Right Now behavioral health transformation, will include a Crisis Intervention Team Assessment Center, a Crisis Receiving Center, and a Crisis Stabilization Center—ensuring residents in the Greater Williamsburg region have immediate access to life-saving services. The co-location of services ensures smoother transitions so individuals can receive the most appropriate level of care for their needs at that time.
“Today’s groundbreaking is a clear sign of the progress we are making through Right Help, Right Now. Across Virginia, we have more than quadrupled calls to 988, expanded to over 100 mobile crisis teams operating 24/7, and continue to grow crisis centers statewide,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “This progress showcases the forward momentum for Colonial Behavioral Health, whose decades of service have made this community stronger. With this new center, Colonial is expanding that legacy and ensuring that when a Virginian is in crisis, help and hope are never out of reach.”
Last year alone, Colonial Behavioral Health provided care to more than 3,500 community members across Williamsburg, James City County, York County, and Poquoson — underscoring the need for expanded crisis capacity in the region.
“Expanding the continuum of care allows people the opportunity to access the right level of help,” said Secretary of Health and Human Resources Janet V. Kelly. “This new facility builds on that momentum, ensuring that families here have quicker pathways to support and more options for recovery, dignity, and hope.”
“Colonial’s new crisis center represents the future of behavioral health care in Virginia — timely access, community-based services, and coordinated support,” said Nelson Smith, Commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. “By expanding crisis receiving and stabilization services here, we are ensuring that people in this region can find the right care, close to home, when they need it most.”
“This groundbreaking shows Right Help, Right Now in action,” said Hallie Pence, Executive Director of Right Help, Right Now. “Every new crisis center means faster care, fewer people in emergency rooms, and more Virginians finding hope close to home. Colonial’s leadership proves what is possible when local and state partners work hand in hand.”
The Colonial Behavioral Health Crisis Services Center will be the only facility of its kind between Glen Allen and Hampton. It will serve as a vital hub for assessment, stabilization, and recovery — a local anchor in Virginia’s growing crisis response system.
“Our community began this journey almost 20 years ago. We began with two days of locally developed mental health training for law enforcement personnel. Since that time, we’ve been able to undertake a robust crisis intervention team (CIT) training program, develop a CIT Assessment Center, expand its hours, and develop mobile crisis services,” said Colonial Health CSB Executive Director David Coe. “Today we celebrate the completion of our local adult crisis continuum. It’s been a long journey, but worth every investment made at every level—it is a great day for this area.”
“This is an exciting day for our community,” said Senate Republican Leader Ryan T. McDougle. “The Crisis Center will give families and neighbors the care and support they need close to home. I’m grateful to see this project become a reality and proud of the commitment to making sure Virginians get the right help, right when they need it.”
“After years of hard work and diligent collaboration between state and local agencies, I am excited we are finally breaking ground on this much-needed facility,” said Delegate Amanda Batten. “The services and support offered will provide tangible benefits to our community for many years to come. I am thrilled to have been part of the process, and I look forward to continuing to participate as we make positive progress.”
Governor Youngkin’s Right Help, Right Now initiative is a three-year, $1.4 billion transformation of Virginia’s behavioral health system. Since launching in December 2022, the plan has expanded 988 services, integrated 911 and 988 in more than 50 emergency communications centers, added crisis receiving centers across the Commonwealth, and built a statewide system to ensure Virginians in crisis have someone to call, someone to respond, and a safe place to go.
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