Oct. 11, 2023
Neighbors,
Yesterday was World Mental Health Day. The purpose of this annual event is to promote mental health as a universal right and emphasize the need to expand effective community solutions. One in five Americans has a mental illness, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness and many in our own community are affected. While there is still a lot of work to be done, I wanted to highlight just a couple of the innovative programs in place to support residents who are struggling with mental health-related issues, especially in our underserved communities.
Diversion First consists of integrated county services which offer alternatives to jail for people with mental illness (as well as co-occurring substance use disorders and/or developmental disabilities), who come into contact with the criminal justice system for low-level offenses. It’s a more efficient use of public resources designed to prevent repeated encounters with the criminal justice system and improve public safety. There have been more than 3,200 diversions from arrest since the program was implemented in 2016. Learn more.
The Co-Responder Program, (photo) began as a Board Matter I co-sponsored with Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk in July 2020. Our 9-1-1 Call Center was regularly deploying FCPD officers to respond to calls that were principally mental and behavioral health crises, as opposed to criminal activity. Based on data available from other jurisdictions that have studied this issue, these types of calls account for approximately 20% of all calls made to 9-1-1. Fast forward to 2023, and county behavioral health liaisons are co-located in the 9-1-1 Center to assist in identifying potential behavioral health calls that may benefit from a responder team response or provide support related to behavioral health calls. A crisis intervention trained police officer responds with a crisis intervention specialist (from the Community Services Board) to respond to public safety calls that are related to behavioral health issues. This team response increases timely on-scene assessments and de-escalation of behavioral health crises. More importantly it diverts community members suffering from a mental health crisis from arrest and incarceration. Rollout and ramp-up of the Fairfax County co-responder system continues, and I look forward to full deployment of these mental health professionals during the coming years Learn more.
There are many county resources available if you or someone you know needs help or information.
Regards,
Walter
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Board of Supervisors Update | |
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The Board of Supervisors met yesterday, Oct. 10. You can review the Board Package here and you can watch the meeting here. A few highlights from the meeting:
- Following my Sept.12 Board Matter, the Board of Supervisors joined me in designating October as Cybersecurity Month (photo). As Chair of the county's IT Committee, it is very important to me that we not only protect our county government's infrastructure, but that we all take steps to protect against hackers, scams and data breaches.
- I presented a Board Matter on the 2023 Reston Community Center Preference Poll. Congratulations to the new RCC Board members Paul Berry, Bill Penniman and Vicky Wingert.
- The Board authorized the sale of Fairfax County Economic Development Authority Revenue Bonds for the Tysons Community Center to be located on the ground floor of the larger Dominion Square affordable housing development in Tysons. The Board had previously approved the financing package for the housing portions of the development. In addition to the building's residents, this community center will serve the broader community in Tysons and Hunter Mill District. It will also be easily accessible by the Ashgrove Trail, the Vesper Trail and Metro. Learn more.
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Land Use and Transportation Updates | |
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Tysons Forest Community Task Force Gets Underway
Last week, the community-led Tysons Forest Community Task Force held its first meeting (photo). The purpose of this task force is to develop high-level strategies for the preservation and enhancement of the stream valley that includes Old Courthouse Spring Branch, Raglan Road Park and other Fairfax County Park Authority property (which includes more than 40 acres of forested land). Jai Cole, Executive Director of the Park Authority, also joined us to share her vision of the Park Authority’s role in this effort. I look forward to hearing the creative ideas that come from this community collaboration to ensure a healthy urban forest for years to come. For more information contact Amanda Lowe at amanda.lowe@fairfaxcounty.gov. Learn more.
Reston Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Virtual Meeting, Monday, Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m.
The Reston P&Z meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 16 at 7:30 p.m. Click here to join the meeting You may also call in and listen to the meeting, dial 571-429-5982 and use conference call ID: 335 646 439#
For more information email huntermill@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-478-0283.
Hunter Mill Land Use Committee Virtual Meeting: Tuesday, Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m.
The Hunter Mill Land Use Committee Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m. Click here to join the meeting You may also call in and listen to the meeting, dial 571-429-5982 and use conference call ID: 616 407 662#
For more information email huntermill@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-478-0283.
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Fire & Rescue Open House Oct. 14
All Fairfax County Fire Stations will host an Open House on Saturday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All Fire Stations will have their fire apparatus on display as well as firefighting and safety demonstrations. Educational handouts and plastic fire helmets for children will be available. I encourage you to visit one of our stations! I spent some time at the Reston Fire Station (photo) in April and I really enjoyed it.
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Emergency Preparedness Webinar for Persons with Disabilities Oct. 25
The county's Health Department invites residents with disabilities to join an interactive webinar to discuss preparing for local emergencies and natural disasters. The webinar takes place Oct. 25, 11 a.m. to noon. Participants will learn how to create an emergency kit and emergency plan that accommodates their disability-related needs so that they are prepared to confidently handle a crisis. Webinar Registration - Zoom
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Halloween on the Green is Saturday, Oct. 14
The town's annual Halloween on the Green is this Saturday Oct. 14, at 10:30 a.m. This free, family-friendly event includes arts and crafts, games, a petting zoo, popcorn, storytelling, and a chance to decorate your own pumpkin. (Please note there will be a limited number of pumpkins available, so come early!) Learn more.
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Health and Human Services News | |
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Medicare 101 Workshops
Medicare 101 Workshops, led by the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP), are for individuals and their care partners who will soon be eligible for Medicare or have Medicare and would like to learn more about it. In-person workshops have limited seating. Registration is required. For more information, call VICAP at 703-324-5851, TTY 711. Upcoming workshops include:
- Monday, Nov. 6, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Virtual and in-person at Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Click bit.ly/3YnEHLL or call 703-476-4500.
- Monday, Nov. 13, 11:30 a.m.to 12:30 p.m., Virtual, click bit.ly/vcaaVICAP23 or 703-324-4600.
Domestic Violence Resources
Domestic violence has risen in our community. If you or someone you know needs help, call the county's Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline at 703-360-7273. The county has additional resources including counseling, housing and economic support, and safety planning. Learn more. In addition, several of our Fairfax County Public Library branches are partnering with local organizations to offer programs providing the public with information about domestic violence. Learn more.
Operation Stream Shield County Provides Employment and Litter Removal
Operation Stream Shield is a county partnership between the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services and the Office to Prevent and End Homelessness that focuses on enhancing the community through litter removal and other projects while providing employment to unhoused individuals. Nonprofit partners, including Cornerstones approve participants, provide transportation, supervise their work, and track and report the number of bags of litter filled during each outing. The Solid Waste Management Program collects and disposes of the full bags of litter and any bulky items collected during the cleanup. Learn more
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Off-Leash Dog Fun at Frying Pan Farm Park
Frying Pan Farm Park now offers off- leash dog fun in a safe enclosed environment in the indoor arena. Bring your dog and enjoy off-leash run and play in the fenced 110-feet-by-215-feet arena. You pick the date and time, $15 per 30-minute time slot. Learn more. (Photo: Leigh Ashurst)
Best Places in Fairfax County for Ghosts, Ghouls and Other Scary Stuff
Visit Fairfax has compiled a great list of places and events for adults to get their Halloween scare. Learn more.
Key Emergency Skills Everyone Should Know
Having some basic emergency medical skills can help you assist someone in need until professional help arrives. Learning these skills now, before an emergency occurs, can help save lives. Not exactly a skill, but a good first step can be as simple as having a well-stocked first-aid kit (including in your car). Learn more.
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Stay Informed and In Touch | |
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn
703-478-0283, TTY 711
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