New DCHS Location at 4850 Mark Center Drive

Also moving to Mark Center Drive: City Permit Center, City Finance Department, Clerk of Court, Alexandria Health Department and Neighborhood Health
Page updated on February 3, 2023 at 9:16 AM

4850 Mark Center Drive Gallery

Photo of 4850 Mark Center Drive
4850 Mark Center Drive
Arial view of new location
Arial view of the new location
Arial view of Area surrounding Mark Center Drive
Arial view of locations of DCHS, AHD and Neighborhood Health offices prior to move
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Grid View Close Modal
Photo of 4850 Mark Center Drive
4850 Mark Center Drive
Arial view of new location
Arial view of the new location
Arial view of Area surrounding Mark Center Drive
Arial view of locations of DCHS, AHD and Neighborhood Health offices prior to move

WE ARE MOVING!

During 2023, nearly all DCHS programs and services will move to a new location in the West End of the city at 4850 Mark Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22311. Information about the specific dates that program locations will change will be shared with clients and the community as they become available.

MOVE SCHEDULE*

Below are the scheduled move dates for each DCHS location. View and print flyer , and frequent this page for up-to-date information, as dates may change.

1900 N. Beauregard Street / Wednesday, February 1

  • Workforce Development Center (WDC) | 703.746.5940

  • Early Childhood Division | 703.746.5437

  • Center for Alexandria’s Children (CAC) | 703.746.6008
     

6101 Stevenson Avenue / Thursday, February 2

  • Aging and Adult Services | 703.746.5999
  • Alexandria Vocational Services | 703.746.3333
  • Developmental Disability Case Management | 703.746.3333 

    *Note- The Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Day Support Program is not moving.

Adult Protective Services Hotline | 703.746.5778  
Report incidents of abuse, neglect or exploitation of an Adult to 703.746.5778 (Mon- Fri 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.) or after hours: 1.888.832.3858. TTY: Virginia Relay 711

2525 Mount Vernon Avenue / Friday, February 3
sEE CLIENT SERVICES BELOW FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Child Welfare | 703.746.5757
  • Community Services | 703.746.5901
  • Customer Relations | 703.746.5700
  • Eligibility Programs | 703.746.5801 

Child Protective Services Hotline |  703.746.5800
If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 for police assistance. Any concerned resident who suspects that a child is abused or neglected should call the City of Alexandria CPS Hotline at 703.746.5800, or the Virginia Hot Line at 1.800.552.7096 (after 4:30 p.m.).
 

720 North Saint Asaph Street 4th FL / SAT AND SUN, February 11-12

  • Administrative Offices / CSB | 703.746.3400
     

720 North Saint Asaph Street 2nd AND 3rd FLOORS / TO BE DETERMINED

  • Emergency Services | 703.746.3401
  • MH/ID/SA Intake | 703.746.3535
  • Outpatient Mental Health | 703.746.3400
  • Neighborhood Health | 703.535.5568
     

123 N Pitt Suite 225 / FRIDAY, February 10

  • Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy (ACAP)| 703.746.3130
  • School-Age Youth Development | 703.746.3436
  • Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria (SAPCA) | 703.746.3670

    *Note- The Domestic Violence Program and Sexual Assault Program are not moving.
     

421 king street / Monday, February 13

  • Permit Center, City Finance Department and Clerk of Court
     

4480 King Street (Except Dental Clinic) / WEDNESday, MARCH 1

  • Child Assessment and Treatment Center | 703.838.4708
  • Parent Infant Education (PIE) Program | 703.746.3350
  • Residential Services Administrative Offices | 703.746.3500
  • TRAILS (TRansitioning Adults Into Living Successfully) | 703.746.3441 
  • West End Wellness Center (formerly Clubhouse) | 703.746.3456
     

2355 Mill Road / TO BE DETERMINED

  • Medication Assisted Treatment (Opioid Tx)
  • Substance Use Outpatient
     

* As the time it takes to move will vary, we may provide services in alternative formats or locations. Contact your program service provider about when the program will open fully at 4850.

Client Services at 2525 Mount Vernon Avenue

View and print flyer .

APPOINTMENTS AND IN-PERSON SERVICES

  • Effective February 2, at noon, in-person services will end at 2525 Mt. Vernon Ave. We will serve virtually, via 703.746.5700, until the new building is open for services.

EBT CARD PICKUP

  • Pick up at Arlington Department of Social Services, 2100 Washington Blvd., from February 2–14 (will extend if necessary).

HOMELESS SERVICES

  • Winter Shelter accepts walk-ins after 7 p.m., at 2355-B Mill Rd. Call 703.746.5700 for additional homeless services, Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

MAIL SERVICE

  • Pick up mail at 2525 Mt. Vernon Ave. at the Mt. Ida Ave. entrance, between 8–10 a.m., beginning February 3. Ring the bell.

VERIFICATIONS

  • Clients can drop-off verifications at 2525 Mt. Vernon Ave. until access is available at the new building.

FREE INCOME TAX PREPARATION PROGRAM

  • Begins February 18 at 4850 Mark Center Dr.

Transportation and Bus Lines to 4850 Mark Center Drive

DASH FARE-FREE BUSSES (www.dashbus.com/schedules) - See the DASH Trip Planner to plan your free trip. 

  • Line 35 (Van Dorn Metro to Pentagon via Beauregard Street & S. Van Dorn Street)
  • Line 36A/B (Potomac Yard to Mark Center via Arlandria & Parkfairfax)
  • Line 102 / 102X (King Street Metro to Mark Center via Seminary/Janneys)

Metrobus (https://www.wmata.com/schedules/timetables/all-routes.cfm?State=VA)

  • Line 7M Express (Mark Center – Pentagon)
  • Line 8W (Foxchase-Seminary Valley)
  • Line 25B (Carlin Springs Road)

Other Regional Bus Services

Parking

  • A four-level parking garage is adjacent to the rear of the building with elevator access to the building lobby. For the first year, there will be no charge for parking.
  • COMING SOON!  Downloadable brochure with bus and other transportation information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where is the new DCHS location?
The building is located on the West End of the City at 4850 Mark Center Drive off I-95, Seminary Road and Beauregard Street.

By when does DCHS hope to move to 4850 Mark Center Drive?
The goal is to be fully moved to the new location and begin welcoming clients and visitors in 2023. (*Specific dates in 2023 have shifted due to supply chain issues resulting from the pandemic.)

Why is the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) moving to a new location?
Since the merger of the City’s social services and behavioral health services into one department in 2010, one location has been the most frequently identified factor by staff for increasing client access to the range of DCHS services and improving employee collaboration in the delivery of these services. Currently, DCHS programs are in eight major locations across the city, and clients may have to travel to different locations to participate in services.

What are the benefits of the new single location to the Department?
The primary benefit is the creation of a “one-stop shop” for clients with seamless transition between related services including a “no wrong door” approach, so that clients experience a continuum of services available at all points of entry.

A new location also affords the opportunity to recreate the workspace to allow for client-centered spaces as well as improved work environments for staff including training and collaboration spaces. Workspace priorities include creating safe welcoming environments for clients, more space for client privacy, and a setting where clients can learn about and access DCHS programs and services as well as those of partner agencies.

This unified setting aims to ensure increased access, equity, collaboration, privacy and safety for all residents who use the facility. It will serve as a community hub, offering opportunities to access resources, convene meetings and events, and to promote the health and wellbeing of residents.

What are the benefits of the new single location to clients?
Better operational efficiency– ease of coordination among DCHS employees– will lead to improved client access to services and improved outcomes for the individuals and families we serve.

To provide better physical access for clients, the new location is in an area with a high concentration of clients that offers ease of access to public transportation.

If all services are in a single location, how will client confidentiality be maintained? 
The ease of employee access to physically private service spaces to maintain client confidentiality will be increased through the new worksite plans.

Additionally, because all services would be accessed through the same location– some with different physical entry points in the building– it will not be apparent which program a client is accessing.

DCHS will continue to ensure the highest level of client confidentiality through secure databases allowing access to personal records by only the appropriate staff with a “need to know” based on their work with the client, or those given access by the client to collaborate on their service plan.

What stakeholder input has DCHS considered in the move?
Information has been shared and input has been collected on possible sites for the new location, the design of the space, the amenities contained within the building and the name of the building. Clients, collaborative partners and employees have provided and will continue to have opportunities to provide input through surveys, focus groups and community information sessions.

What other City programs will be at the new location?
The facility will include the Department of Community and Human Services, the Alexandria Health Department, Neighborhood Health, and a West End Service Center with a Permit Center, Finance Department transaction functions and limited Clerk of Court services.

This unified setting aims to ensure increased access, equity, collaboration, privacy and safety for all residents who use the facility. It is expected that the facility will serve as a community hub, offering opportunities to access resources, convene meetings and events, and to promote the health and wellbeing of residents.

What steps were taken in the search for the location?
DCHS, in collaboration with the Department of General Services, solicited proposals from building owners on possible sites, then worked with an architect to design the workspace. Plans and budget implications were approved by the City Manager and City Council.

How can residents stay informed on the new DCHS location?
Sign up for eNews to receive periodic updates from the Department of Community and Human Services. Select the Behavioral Health and Human Services topic.

Naming the New Building

On December 14, 2021, City Council unanimously voted to name the facility after Councilwoman Redella S. "Del" Pepper who retired after serving on City Council since 1985. Councilwoman Pepper was a long-time advocate for the West End of the City, as well as for older adults and youth. Following a community survey, the building was officially named the Redella S. "Del" Pepper Community Resource Center.

The facility will include the Department of Community and Human Services, the Alexandria Health Department, Neighborhood Health, and a West End Service Center with a Permit Center, Finance Department transaction functions and limited Clerk of Court services.

This unified setting aims to ensure increased access, equity, collaboration, privacy and safety for all residents who use the facility. It is expected that the facility will serve as a community hub, offering opportunities to access resources, convene meetings and events, and to promote the health, safety and wellbeing of residents.