The Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) provides social services and public benefits assistance; mental health, developmental disability and substance abuse services; and supports initiatives for women through three direct care centers: the Center for Children & Families, the Center for Adult Services and the Center for Economic Support. Not sure what service you need? See our service chart, visit Call.Click.Connect or contact the DCHS Call Center at 703.746.5700.

With thousands of federal employees and contractors on furlough as they wait for Congress and the president to reach an agreement, the increased stress can produce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Here are ways to cope with the uncertainty and anxiety during the shutdown. Also learn about food resources, human services and other resources available to assist those in need in the City of Alexandria community. 

One in five people in the U.S. experiences a mental health disorder in their lifetime. It could be serious depression, anxiety, psychosis, an eating disorder, or any of a number of common conditions, all of which are treatable. Young people can be a very powerful, driving force behind this kind of positive culture change. This mini-grant program will fund youth-planned, youth-led projects to improve mental health and wellness among their peers. Find out more and  download the flyer!

Check out the FY 2018 Community Impact Report and learn how DCHS programs and services are improving the well-being, safety and self-sufficiency of Alexandria residents. The annual report highlights fiscal information along with the accomplishments of the three direct care centers: Adult Services, Children and Families and Economic Support. This success is made possible by all DCHS staff, other City employees and community partners.

CommonHelp allows Virginia residents to apply online for public assistance benefits. Find out more.

The Workforce Development Center released New Americans in Alexandria, a report detailing the economic contributions and impact of immigrants in Alexandria. In addition to their financial contributions, the report shows the role that the immigrant population plays in the local labor force as well as their contributions to the city's recent population growth. The report was compiled by New American Economy in partnership with the WDC and Alexandria Economic Development Partnership.

The safety and well-being of children is a community responsibility. Learn more about preventing, recognizing and reporting possible child abuse.  See the updated guidelines for parents and caretakers to consider before leaving a child alone for any amount of time as well as guidelines for babysitting.

DCHS offers free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training for laypersons. MHFA is an eight-hour training and certification on skills to help persons who are developing a mental health problem or experiencing a crisis. The training demonstrates the initial help given to a person showing signs of mental illness or a mental health crisis. More information about the course is available. Visit the online registration for class dates. Re-certification is available online, or by repeating the full course.

Learn how the national heroin and opioid crisis is affecting our community and how City programs and services are responding. Know how to recognize and respond to an overdose and how to help save lives. 

Chronic stress can have negative side effects on everyone. Psycho-social factors, specifically, pervasive exposure to racism and discrimination, creates an additional daily stressor for people of color. Research shows this to be particularly true for African-Americans (APA, 2016).  Read more

Adults in Alexandria who work with middle or high school youth can now be trained in mental health ‘gatekeeper skills’ through online at-risk training simulations. This short interactive online training is designed for mentors, juvenile justice professionals, school staff, youth development staff, recreation professionals and human-service staff. The training is not recommended for licensed clinicians.  Learn more and take the hour-long web-based training today!

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death among Americans, claiming more than twice as many lives each year as homicides. Learn more about this serious public health problem and what we can do to help prevent suicide.  

The Department of Community and Human Services welcomes you to the online screening tool for mental health and substance use disorders. This free screening is made available to the general public and is taken anonymously. The screening is provided so that you may find out - in a few minutes - whether or not professional consultation would be helpful to you.