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Council accepts $3.1 million behavioral-health grant to expand crisis receiving center
Summary
Council accepted $3,100,771 from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to support Chesapeake Integrated Behavioral Healthcare and to expand the Herons Cove crisis receiving/stabilization center; staff said phase 2 will extend hours to seven days 8 a.m.–8 p.m. and near-24-hour operation is planned in early 2025. Council approved the appropriation 9-0.
Council voted unanimously to accept $3,100,771 in state funding for Chesapeake Integrated Behavioral Healthcare (CIBH) to support capital and operating costs for behavioral-health services. The funds will help the city expand the crisis receiving and stabilization center known as Herons Cove to increase access and divert people in crisis from jail or emergency departments.
The city manager described the center's recent operations: it became fully operational in June 2024 and since then staff have "served over 100 citizens, and 94% of the folks that were served at that facility did not require any higher level of care," remaining in the community after stabilization. Staff said phase 2 will operate seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. later this year, with nearly 24-hour operation expected in early 2025. Council member Ritter asked whether the funds will expand hours and the manager confirmed they would. The appropriation passed by a recorded 9-0 vote.
Council and staff framed the grant as both a service expansion and a cost-saving measure, saying the center provides an alternative to more expensive hospital or jail placements. No conditions or offsets were recorded on the appropriation during the meeting.
