Community Stabilization

When someone is experiencing a psychiatric crisis, they may struggle to care for themselves or maintain safety in their environment. Community Stabilization at CCDS is designed to support children, adolescents, and adults who are facing such urgent mental health challenges. This short-term, focused service helps individuals remain safely in their homes or communities while working toward recovery and connection.

This program provides immediate assistance to individuals who may be withdrawing from others, unable to manage daily responsibilities, or showing behaviors that put their well-being at risk. It can serve as a bridge to ongoing services or prevent hospitalization, incarceration, or homelessness linked to untreated mental health issues.

Referral Sources

Individuals must meet Criterion #1 and #2 to receive Community Stabilization Services:

1. Documentation indicates evidence that the individual currently meets criteria for a primary diagnosis consistent with the most recent version of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) diagnosis that correlates with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual; and
2. The individual has demonstrated a level of acuity indicating that they are at risk for crisis-cycling or dangerous decompensation in functioning and additional support in the form of community stabilization is required to prevent an acute inpatient admission; and

(Prior to Admission) Individuals must also meet Criterion #3A or 3B to receive Community Stabilization Services:

1. 3A. The individual is residing in a Therapeutic Group Home or ASAM 3.1; or
2. 3B-I. The individual needs Community Stabilization as a transition due to A LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP or LMHP-S at a Community Services Board (CSB) same day access intake, a Managed Care Organization, or Fee-For-Service contractor determines Community Stabilization is needed to support a transition in care and link an individual to appropriate services; or
3. 3B-II(a). The individual is being discharged from 23-Hour Crisis Stabilization
4. 3B-II(b). The individual is being discharged from Acute Psychiatric Inpatient Services
5. 3B-II(c). The individual is being discharged from ASAM levels 3.1 – 4.0
6. 3B-II(d). The individual is being discharged from Hospital Emergency Department
7. 3B-II(e). The individual is being discharged from Short-term detention or incarceration
8. 3B-II(f). The individual is being discharged from Mobile Crisis Response
9. 3B-II(g). The individual is being discharged from Partial Hospitalization Program (Mental Health or ARTS)
10. 3B-II(h). The individual is being discharged from Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility
11. 3B-II(i). The individual is being discharged from Residential Crisis Stabilization Unit
12. 3B-II(j). The individual is being discharged from Therapeutic Group Home

Virginia Medicaid MCOs (as of July 1, 2025):

• Aetna Better Health of Virginia
• Anthem HealthKeepers Plus
• Humana Healthy Horizons of Virginia
• Sentara Health Plans
• UnitedHealthcare Community Plan

We accept referrals 24/7

The purpose of our community stabilization program is to provide direct healthcare to individuals experiencing an acute crisis of psychiatric nature that may jeopardize their current community living situation. Community Stabilization Services aims to assist individuals in a crisis situation to restore equilibrium to their biopsychosocial functioning and to minimize the potential for psychological trauma.

We focus on addressing the needs of individuals experiencing a crisis and who require immediate interventions by the mental health, social skills, and judicial system. Our services are significantly geared towards preventing and/or ameliorating a crisis that could result in psychiatric or inpatient hospitalization.

Individuals must meet at least ALL of the following criteria at the time of admission to the service:

• The individual has experienced a recent behavioral health crisis (within 72 hours of admission) or the individual is transitioning from or at risk of a higher level of care and requires short-term support with identifying and engaging in the services necessary to maintain safety and stability in the community
• Documentation indicates evidence that the individual meets criteria for a primary diagnosis consistent with the most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual;
• There is evidence from the individual or collateral contact indicating at least one of the following is present:
  • High potential for crisis-cycling without this support;
  • Individual does not have the ability and/or the resources to support maintenance of safety and/or stability in the community until longer term services are available/accessible;
  • Individual has been engaged in alternative crisis services or treatment and no longer meets criteria for those services but continues to require community stabilization support;
• The individual currently has moderate to high intensity behavioral and/or emotional needs and without intervention, will further interfere with their ability to function in at least one life domain: family, living situation, school, social, work or community.
• Please complete the REFERRING PROVIDER INFORMATION, and list reason for referral that aligns with admission criteria

CCDS is currently in Network for Community Stabilization:

Community Stabilization Referral Form

Take the First Step Toward Support

If you or someone you know is ready to receive mental health support, reaching out is the first step. Our team will guide you through the process and match you with the right services.