DCHS’s professionals in Adult Services provide compassionate and effective services that support self-determination, recovery and resiliency for Alexandria residents affected by mental illness, developmental disabilities and substance use disorders.

The Alexandria Co-Response Program (ACORP) launched. The program pairs a licensed clinician with a Crisis Intervention Team police officer and together, the team responds to persons experiencing a behavioral health crisis in the community. Early data indicated that the program is successful in safely resolving situations on-scene and decreasing the need for transition to a hospital or criminal legal setting.

The City Opioid Work Group increased its efforts to make Narcan easily and widely available throughout the city as opioid overdoses continued due to the increase in fentanyl-laced substances. Narcan is a nasal spray that reverses the effects of an overdose. Public and private school staff received REVIVE training and Narcan, staff attended community events to distribute Narcan, and new targeted distribution approaches like supplying Narcan to barbershops, restaurants and other small businesses began.

TRAILS, the First Episode Psychosis Program, supported eight clients in graduating from services with increased participation in employment and school activities, as well as decreased symptoms and hospitalizations. Among current clients, 65% are currently pursuing further educational goals and/or working. In collaboration with the West End Wellness Center, TRAILS began a new young adult group that includes a focus on independent living skills and increasing socialization. 

Mental Health Vocational Services continued to provide both virtual telehealth and in-person job development and community-based job coaching to assist clients with Serious Mental Illness in meeting their employment goals. Over 65% of the clients enrolled in the vocational program were employed.

West End Wellness Center Psychosocial Day Program members reported that the support they received throughout the year with as many in-person services and activities as possible was crucial in helping them through the ongoing pandemic, avoid re-hospitalizations, and maintain or improve their mental and physical health. The Center provided virtual programming during periods of high transmission rates only, otherwise maintaining in-person services.

The Division of Aging and Adult Services, in collaboration with the Successful Aging Committee, celebrated National Centenarian Day by recognizing the experiences and achievements of Alexandrians who have lived a century or longer. A presentation at a City Council honored 12 residents who would be 100 years old or older by the end of the year. They were among more than 100,000 centenarians in the U.S.
 

The Virginia Insurance Counseling & Assistance Program (VICAP) provided free, unbiased, confidential and personal assistance to individuals with Medicare to ensure they had the plans best suited for their needs. Counselors provided individual counseling to 138 people during Medicare Open Enrollment. additionally, VICAP held 15 Medicare presentations, including a booth at the city's Pride Fair.
 

The Home Delivered Meals service provided healthy nutrition to 118 Alexandrians age 60 and older who can no longer prepare meals for themselves, have no other means of receiving meals and are homebound except for going to medical appointments. As all older adults were encouraged to stay home during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the program provided frozen home delivered meals to an additional 103 Alexandrians.

Learn more about Narcan and opioid treatment, services for older adults and adult mental health, substance use treatment and intellectual disability services.