Emergency Services: 540-373-6876

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING

What is CIT?

The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) is a collaboration of local professionals (Mental Health Providers, Law Enforcement, and family members) committed to enhancing services to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. CIT keeps individuals out of the criminal justice system and gets them into appropriate treatment.

What is CIT training?
  • The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training is a 40-hour, 5-day curriculum approved by the Department of Criminal Justice (DCJS).
  • It trains officers to effectively deal with individuals dealing with a mental health crisis.  
  • CIT is made up of classroom instruction and practical exercises delivered by Mental Health Professionals, other subject matter experts and CIT trained local Law Enforcement Instructors.
Why should I participate in the CIT training?
  • Law enforcement are the first responders to most individuals dealing with a psychiatric crisis.  
  • CIT training provides officers with the tools to professionally and humanely interact with persons with mental illness.
Does my agency benefit from CIT training?

CIT Training equips participants with the skills necessary to appropriately respond to psychiatric crises. These situations may be high risk and may escalate into a use of force incident. The CIT training provides participants with skills that can minimize risk to responding officers and the person in crisis and may prevent the need to use force.

What will I gain from CIT training?

Participants learn communication skills that can assist in effectively interfacing with persons in psychiatric crises. These skills can minimize the use of force in many instances, thus protecting both the officers involved and the person in crisis. Although the use of force may ultimately be necessary in some situations, we know from experience that the de-escalation skills learned in CIT training often reduce the level of needed force. Also these communication skills can be an invaluable tool to officers in their regular duties.

DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES

Do you offer respite?

We offer respite services at our Myers Drive Respite Home for adults with developmental disabilities.  These services are catered to supporting individuals’ needs while providing a safe environment. Families rely on the program to support  their loved ones while they tend to business, travel, or simply take a break themselves from providing the supports at home.  Myers Drive is likewise an opportunity for visiting individuals to explore meaningful trips and opportunities in their community.  Stays can last from a few hours up to 2 weeks at a time.  The best way to get the process started if interested in the service is by asking your support coordinator to arrange a tour to learn more or calling 540-899-4670 and requesting additional information.

Are there openings in your group homes?

We do periodically have openings in our residential programs.  The best way to explore these opportunities is to contact your support coordinator and ask them to check availability and make a referral for assessment for one of the openings.

What is a wavier?

A waiver is a long-term support system for someone who will have long-term care needs, like someone with a developmental disability.  The waiver provides access to a number of services, including personal care attendants, respite care, group home supports, day services, assistive technology, environmental modifications, nursing, and more.  

Waivers are funded by Medicaid and are often called Medicaid Waivers.  Individuals  must qualify for long-term care Medicaid to use a Waiver.  As of 2017, this means that an adult with a disability cannot have more than $2,000 in assets in their name (unless those assets are in a Special Needs Trust or ABLE Account) and they cannot earn more than $2,205 per month.  

How do I get a wavier?

Call to be screened for eligibility for the Developmental Disability Waiver. Our staff will determine if you meet the state’s definition of a developmental disability and meet other criteria. If you qualify, you will be placed on a waiting list for a waiver. You will receive a priority rating based on your level of need. We will meet with you to assess your situation and needs and will determine if you have a priority level of 1,2, or 3.

This waiting list is not chronological but is based on need. In Virginia, there are more than 11,000 individuals on the waiting list. In our region, there are nearly 700.

To schedule a screening, call:

Fredericksburg, Caroline, and King George: 540-804-633-9997, ext. 237

Spotsylvania: 540-582-7326

Stafford: 540-659-2725, ext. 230

Is there any help while I wait for a waiver?

While you are on the waiting list, you are eligible for the Individual and Family Support Program. This program provides money for individuals on the waiting list. Each year, there is a time period to apply for this money.

Virginia also offers crisis services for individuals with a developmental disability through the REACH program. Our area is served by the Northern region, and the crisis line is (855) 897-8278.

EMERGENCY SERVICES

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER SEEMS TO BE EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS?

You should talk with the individual and recommend they seek help. If the individual has a mental health provider, encourage your friend or family member to contact their therapist, psychiatrist, or case manager for assistance. If the individual does not have a mental health care provider, help them find one and offer to set up an appointment.

If the individual needs immediate attention, urge them to call our Emergency Services. Or offer to call Emergency Services for them.

However, sometimes, individuals won’t agree to professional mental health treatment. In this case, you should contact our emergency services department. In the midst of a crisis, it can be hard to know what constitutes an emergency. Call emergency services if you’re unsure. Always call if an individual indicates risk of suicide or homicide, experiences a sudden change in mental status, or stops taking care of basic needs such as sleep, hygiene, or eating.

WHAT COULD I DO IF SOMEONE IS HAVING A CRISIS BUT REFUSES TO GO FOR TREATMENT?

The best-case scenario is that an individual will agree to seek help on their own. However, there are times when involuntary commitment is needed for the safety of the individual and others. Call Emergency Services to help you through this process. If the individual presents an immediate danger, call 911 and ask for a Crisis Intervention Team-trained officer.   

WHAT IS AN EMERGENCY CUSTODY ORDER?

An ECO allows police to take an individual into custody and transport them to be evaluated by a qualified mental health provider. An Emergency Services therapist will request an ECO if an individual is at risk of harm but refuses to seek help voluntarily. The ECO could last for up to 8 hours while a qualified mental health professional will evaluate the individual and determine if hospitalization is necessary. If hospitalization is necessary, the ECO also allows therapists time to find an available bed.

Waivers are funded by Medicaid and are often called Medicaid Waivers.  Individuals  must qualify for long-term care Medicaid to use a Waiver.  As of 2017, this means that an adult with a disability cannot have more than $2,000 in assets in their name (unless those assets are in a Special Needs Trust or ABLE Account) and they cannot earn more than $2,205 per month.

WHAT IS A TEMPORARY DETENTION ORDER?

A TDO is­ a legal document requiring an individual to receive immediate hospitalization for further evaluation and stabilization, on an involuntary basis, until a commitment hearing can be arranged to determine their future treatment needs. A magistrate could issue a TDO if an individual will not voluntarily seek treatment but seems to require immediate help. The individual will then remain hospitalized until a commitment hearing occurs. In most cases, that hearing must take place within 72 hours.

Family or friends should be aware, that for safety reasons and according to their policy, law enforcement personnel will handcuff the individual during transport or at any point during the ECO or TDO process where this is necessary.

GENERAL

WHAT IS A COMMUNITY SERVICES BOARD?

A community services board is a behavioral health agency. There are 40 community services boards in Virginia, and they provide a variety of services.

WHAT SERVICES DOES RACSB OFFER?

We provide services for mental health, developmental disability, substance use disorder, early intervention and prevention. Explore this site for more details about our services.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE A COMPLAINT OR CONCERN?

Contact our Office of Consumer Affairs at 540-899-4616.

OUTPATIENT TREATMENT

HOW DO I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?

Call 540-373-3223, ext. 2. Or, you could go into the clinic in your locality. We have clinics in Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO MY FIRST APPOINTMENT?

Please bring your insurance cards, referral paperwork, any court documentation, and income verification if you do not have insurance.

PAYMENT AND INSURANCE

WILL THERE BE A FEE FOR SERVICES I RECEIVE AT RACSB?

Yes. While RACSB is an agency of local government, we are required to charge fees according to the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (formerly Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services) and by the Code of Virginia. We make every effort to keep our fees affordable. Under no circumstances will care be denied due to a consumer’s inability to pay.

WILL MY INSURANCE COVER THE SERVICES I RECEIVE AT RACSB?

Maybe. Questions about coverage should be directed to your insurance carrier. Most plans have limitations and pre-authorization requirements for mental health and substance abuse services. RACSB will gladly help you access your available benefits.

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE INSURANCE?

Prior to, or at the time of your first appointment, you will have a financial interview. During this interview, you and a member of RACSB’s staff will work together to establish a payment plan within your ability to pay.

WHEN IS MY PAYMENT DUE?

Payment is due at time of service. You will receive a bill monthly for any unpaid balance.

THE COURT ORDERED ME TO RECEIVE SERVICES. WILL THEY PAY FOR MY CARE?

Under most circumstances, you are required to pay for services ordered by the court. Counseling services are eligible for financial assistance. Court ordered evaluations are not.

WILL I BE CHARGED IF I MISS AN APPOINTMENT?

If you cancel your appointment at least 48-hours in advance you will not be billed. If you do not give 48-hours notice of cancellation you will be billed a standard $20.00 fee.

WHAT IS A SLIDING SCALE?

For individuals who do not have insurance, we offer a sliding scale fee. This means that the fee for your treatment will depend on your income. For this reason, we ask that you bring income verification if you do not have insurance.

WHICH INSURANCE PROVIDERS DO YOU ACCEPT?

We accept Medicaid and Medicare and most private insurers.

SPONSORED PLACEMENT

WHAT KIND OF COMPENSATION SHOULD PROVIDERS EXPECT?

The pay to providers is based on the individual that resides in your home and his/her authorized service hours. Individuals in our program typically have 350-400 authorized service hours, and we compensate based on an hourly rate of $6.50 per service hour. Payment is made to the provider on the 15th of each month.

WHAT SHOULD PROVIDERS DO IF THEY HAVE AN AFTER-HOURS PROBLEM WITH THE INDIVIDUAL RESIDING IN THEIR HOME?

Providers will be given emergency contact numbers to use when the Sponsored Placement office is closed.

DO PROVIDERS RECEIVE RESPITE?

Yes, providers can use their alternate caregiver for this respite care, an approved caregiver, or RACSB residential group homes when available and planned in advance.

TRAINING

HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR REVIVE! TRAINING OR MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING?

You could sign up right here on our website, by going to the calendar and looking for upcoming trainings. If you’d prefer to sign up by phone or email, contact Jennifer Bateman, 540/374-3337 or jbateman@rappahannockareacsb.org

WHO SHOULD TAKE naloxone TRAINING?

Anyone can take the opioid overdose reversal training. It’s appropriate for those working within the substance abuse field; family members and friends of those with substance use disorder; concerned community members, stakeholders, health professionals.

RACSB
600 Jackson Street
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
540-373-3223

Copyright: Rappahannock Area Community Services Board

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Emergency Services: 540-373-6876
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