The City of Alexandria serves senior and adults with disabilities with special emphasis given to those who have a low income and are most at risk of being institutionalized.

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In Alexandria, the Health Department assists Animal Control in investigations on animal bites and other possible rabies exposures. 

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Behavioral Health Services for Children and Families

In partnership with youth and families, services are designed to help children live and thrive in their homes and communities. As part of Alexandria’s System of Care, we coordinate closely with youth, families, their natural supports and colleagues in Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice and Education to ensure that our integrated services prioritize family and youth voice and choice, cultural influences and equity, outcome-based work and collaboration.

Adult Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Treatment, and Developmental Disabilities

Recovery programs and services for people experiencing mental health challenges including anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress (PTSD) and severe mental illness including psychosis, major depression, bipolar disorder, personality disorders and schizophrenia, as well as individuals with autism, Down's Syndrome, developmental disabilities and intellectual disabilities and those with substance use dependencies including use of alcohol, opioids and other drugs and co-occurring disorders.

In the case of a dangerous or life threatening emergency, always call 911 immediately. 

Emergency Services provides 24-hour intervention for persons experiencing a mental health or substance abuse-related crisis. Licensed clinicians evaluate mental health and substance abuse problems and provide help as needed over the phone or in person. 

Emergency Services responds to a variety of crises including: stress, anxiety, depression, unusual thoughts or behavior, thoughts about hurting one’s self or someone else, drug or alcohol problems, traumatic events and more. 

Call 703.746.3401 to speak with an Emergency Services clinician. 

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Learn more about the medical and clinical services available from the Health Department: 

• BabyCare & Case Management
• Breastfeeding
• Family Planning
• HIV/AIDS Services
• Immunization Clinic
• Newcomer Health Clinic (like Refugees)
• Nutrition Services/WIC
• OB/GYN Services
• Pregnancy Testing
• Rainbow Tuesdays Clinic 
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Clinic
• Teen Wellness Center
• Tuberculosis (TB) Clinic

Some services have eligibility rules, like where someone lives, how much the family makes, etc. No one will be denied access to care because of their inability to pay.  

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In crisis? Call now.  Services available 24 hours a day. 

• Emergency Mental Health Services
  703.746.3401
• Detox / Substance Abuse Services
  703.746.3636
• Sexual Assault
  703.683.7273
• Domestic Violence
  703.746.4911
• Child Protective Services
  Alexandria: 703.746.5800 or State: 1.800.552.7096
• Adult Protective Services
  703.746.5778

Call the 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline at 703.746.4911 if you feel threatened.

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive or coercive behaviors that are used by one individual to exert power or control over another individual in the context of a family or intimate relationship. This includes relationships such as boyfriend/girlfriend who do not live together, parent/child (child or elder abuse/neglect) and persons in  same-sex relationships. Overwhelmingly, domestic violence is perpetrated by men against women. Nationally, statistics indicate 95% of the victims are women.

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Find and register for an array of exercise and fitness classes at different parks and recreational centers throughout the city. Fee assistance is available for eligible residents. Register online or in-person.

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In Alexandria, the Health Department permits and inspects food service operations, aquatic facilities, hotel establishments, campgrounds and wells. It also does mosquito control activities, tick identification and follow-up investigations on animal bites and other possible rabies exposures.  

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The Office of Environmental Quality (OEQ) administers the City's air, water, and noise improvement programs, which help preserve and protect the environment and public health and welfare.

The OEQ advises and works with other City agencies and divisions on matters that impact the environment, and provides staff support to the City’s  Environmental Policy Commission, which studies and makes recommendations on various projects and program initiatives that may have environmental impacts.  

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The Health Department’s mission is to advance Healthy People, Healthier Communities. We provide essential public health services to Alexandrians, and others who work and play here. We operate public health specialty clinics; help our communities to prepare for, respond to & recover from public health emergencies; assess food safety at restaurants & permitted facilities; investigate communicable diseases & offer guidance to prevent the spread of disease; and advances community wellness.

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Do you still need health coverage? Have insurance through the Marketplace, but recently got married, had a child, or experienced another life changing event? Do you qualify for Medicaid or FAMIS and want to enroll? The Health Insurance Marketplace is the place to go for Virginians! Learn whether you qualify for a special enrollment period, how to update your existing account, or find out more about the Affordable Care Act (the law that has made the Marketplace possible).

Visit HealthCare.gov to join

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training and Youth Mental Health Training continue for laypersons and paraprofessionals in Alexandria. MHFA is an 8-hour training on skills to help persons who are developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. For more information about the training or class dates and registration, contact Noraine Buttar at noraine.buttar@alexandriava.gov for Youth Mental Health First Aid and Debbie Evans at debra.evans@alexandriava.gov for Adult Mental Health First Aid. Attendees of the full 8-hour course will receive a three-year certification in MHFA.

Visit mentalhealthfirstaid.org for more information about MHFA

The Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria is a citizen-led coalition of non-profit organizations, schools, municipal agencies, local businesses, government, community leaders, and concerned citizens who come together to promote and preserve a healthy Alexandria.

Visit healthieralexandria.org to learn more

A variety of programs are available to tailor treatment to individual needs and preferences. Individual counseling is provided as an adjunct to the treatment groups below, which are organized by the person’s stage of change in relation to alcohol and drugs.

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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.  

Visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org to learn more

The Therapeutic Recreation Program is committed to providing innovative, inclusive, accessible and affordable recreation programs which enhance the health, well-being and quality of life for individuals with all abilities.

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The City of Alexandria is committed to a comprehensive and strategic approach to addressing needs specific to women and to LGBTQ people. This commitment can be seen in the many City programs and services targeted to these populations and in the active advisory bodies for women’s issues and LGBTQ issues, including the Commission for Women, the Human Rights Commission, the Commission on HIV/AIDS and the LGBTQ Advisory Board. The City also has staff charged with coordinating Women’s Initiatives and an LGBTQ program coordinator.   

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