County staff propose adult behavioral‑health docket for juvenile and domestic relations court

County staff presented a proposal on Dec. 2 to establish an adult behavioral‑health docket in the Loudoun Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court, offering a sentencing alternative intended to connect qualifying adults quickly to treatment and specialized supervision.

Chip Sullivan, director of community corrections, told the Board the target population would be adults 18 and older with a serious mental illness or co‑occurring disorder. He said the pilot could start with an initial capacity of about 10 participants using existing resources; staff planned to seek approval from the Supreme Court of Virginia and monitor outcomes before requesting additional budgetary resources.

Officials said the docket would provide rapid intake into outpatient therapy, case management and wraparound services coordinated among court staff, Community Corrections and the Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Services (MHSADS). Sullivan and MHSADS staff said similar specialty dockets now operate in Loudoun’s General District and Circuit courts and have reported high successful‑completion rates.

Supervisors asked detailed questions about staffing, advisory‑committee structure, eligibility criteria, and whether participants would be diverted from jail when appropriate. Staff said the program would rely on an existing mental‑health probation officer position already included in the FY2025 budget and that an advisory committee of justice system and community stakeholders would guide operations. Supervisors expressed support for a cautious pilot and asked staff to return with implementation milestones and performance measures.