Dear Dr. Jobes-Shields,

On behalf of my office, and the constituents of the Occoquan District in Prince William County, I am writing to express my strong support of the proposed 1115 Serious Mental Illness Waiver Amendment Application submitted by the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS).  This waiver is vital in ensuring that the Prince William County Crisis Facility and Programs can provide these needed services for youth and adults and bill full Medicaid. By not allowing facility operations to bill Medicaid, the status quo would adversely impact some of our most vulnerable residents and add additional financial burdens to the County.

The mental health crisis our communities face is far from new, and the Crisis Facility is a much-needed step in addressing that crisis. As the facility is in the district I represent, I know its strategic location and unique operating structure will provide life-changing – and life-saving – services for families with no current local crisis care options.  Prince William County experiences the highest number of residents needing to go outside of our region to access inpatient treatment while under a temporary detention order. This current dynamic can draw away law enforcement resources, place individuals far away from their families and communities, and lead parents to give up on trying to get their children the mental health resources they need.

In short, the Prince William Crisis Facility and Programs are a game-changer for our community, and we need your assistance to ensure it can deliver the best possible services to the widest population of our residents.

I appreciate DMAS for advancing these critical reforms and moving quickly with this vital waiver, and I look forward to collaborating and partnering on efforts to ensure that youth and adults experiencing behavioral health crises in our county receive the care and support they deserve.

In service,

Kenny Boddye
Occoquan District Supervisor