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RICHMOND, VA - Governor Glenn Youngkin today joined state and local partners to dedicate the Fredericksburg Regional Crisis Receiving Center (CRC), a major expansion of crisis services under his Right Help, Right Now behavioral health transformation initiative. Purchased by the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB) with the support of $12 million in Right Help, Right Now funding, the 79,420-square-foot site will expand same-day crisis care for adults and children, adding 23-hour observation and children's crisis services, and providing space for psychiatric assessment, stabilization, and coordinated connections to ongoing treatment for up to 38 Virginians.
Located near the new Veterans Affairs outpatient center and a standalone emergency department, operated by Mary Washington Healthcare, and between two major hospitals, the center will serve as a regional anchor for timely, therapeutic crisis care. Renovations will start next spring, with services anticipated to begin in spring 2027.
"When a loved one is in crisis, every minute counts," said Governor Glenn Youngkin. "This new Fredericksburg center brings help closer to home-combining compassionate, clinical care with rapid stabilization so families aren't left waiting in crowded emergency departments. Today's dedication represents another milestone in our mission to deliver Right Help, Right Now to every corner of the Commonwealth."
The Commonwealth has awarded $12 million to support the project, with an initial Right Help, Right Now grant to RACSB in March 2024 to construct a new CRC, followed by $5.5 million in August 2025 to purchase the larger facility and expand the scope to include relocating the Sunshine Lady House adult Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) and adding youth CRC and CSU services.
"Fredericksburg is building a crisis system that meets people where they are-with dignity, speed, and the right level of care," said Secretary of Health and Human Resources Janet V. Kelly. "By expanding 23-hour observation and standing up children's services, this project closes critical gaps for families and creates a clear front door into recovery."
"This site is designed for what works in a crisis: rapid assessment, calm spaces, and a clear path to stabilization and community care," said Nelson Smith, Commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. "Relocating and modernizing the Sunshine Lady House adult CSU, while adding youth capacity, strengthens the region's safety net, eases pressure on hospitals, and supports law enforcement."
"Dedications like this one strengthen the backbone of Virginia's crisis care network and expand the continuum of care in a real way-we are adding space for 38 Virginians to get the care they need, when they need it," said Hallie Pence, Executive Director of Right Help, Right Now. "Behind every number we talk about, there is a person-a face, a name, someone who brings love and light to this world-who can wake up tomorrow and have a brighter day because of progress like this."
"For years, our region has worked toward creating a space where both adults and children experiencing mental health crises can get the right help at the right time," said Joe Wickens, Executive Director of the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board. "With this facility, our community will have the space, services and partnerships needed to respond with the care and urgency these individuals deserve. It's a transformative step for Fredericksburg and the surrounding counties."
"As someone who has called this community home for 18 years, I know how urgently families need timely, accessible behavioral health care," said Senator Tara Durant. "The new center reflects what's possible when state and local leaders work together to bring real solutions home."
"Coming together to celebrate this new crisis center is so important because this progress is what makes our community stronger," said Delegate Bobby Orrock. "This strengthens critical resources that are a part of the larger build out across the Commonwealth through Right Help, Right Now."
Today's dedication ceremony included remarks by local and state leaders and a tour of RACSB's Mobile Crisis Unit.
Governor Youngkin's Right Help, Right Now initiative is a three-year, $1.4 billion transformation of Virginia's behavioral health system. Since launching in December 2022, the plan has expanded 988 services, integrated 911 and 988 in more than 50 emergency communications centers, added crisis receiving centers across the Commonwealth, and built a statewide system to ensure Virginians in crisis have someone to call, someone to respond, and a safe place to go.
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