Virginia Crisis Connect (VCC) is the official, state-wide comprehensive online platform used by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) to manage and coordinate the full continuum of behavioral health crisis care. The platform is a Virginia-specific deployment of the Behavioral Health Link (BHL) Platform, designed as a "Care Traffic Control" system for crisis services.
Product Overview and Key Benefits
VCC serves as the central hub for thousands of public and private providers, streamlining the crisis response process from the initial 988 call to follow-up care. Its primary benefit is ensuring that every Virginian in crisis has "someone to call, someone to respond, and somewhere to go" by providing real-time data and coordination tools. The cloud-based SAAS architecture ensures high availability and scalability for 24/7 operations.
Main Features and Capabilities
- Crisis Call Center Hub: Sophisticated module for 988 call agents to conduct risk assessments, clinical triage, and telephonic crisis intervention, adhering to SAMHSA guidelines.
- Mobile Crisis Response (MCR) Dispatch: GPS-enabled system for real-time tracking and dispatching the closest qualified MCR team to an individual's location. Includes in-field documentation capabilities.
- Real-Time Bed Registry: A module that visualizes statewide bed capacity, allowing providers to search for and send electronic referrals to the closest facility with an available bed and matching admission criteria.
- Inter-Provider Referral Interface: Facilitates electronic, closed-loop referrals for outpatient scheduling and follow-up services.
- Data Entry Interface: Supports data collection for specific crisis services, such as the REACH program (for individuals with developmental disabilities).
- Performance Dashboards: Live, customizable data analytics and reporting for state and local officials to monitor KPIs, identify service gaps, and justify funding requests.
Target Users and Use Cases
The platform is mandatory for DBHDS-licensed and DMAS-enrolled providers who contract with a Regional Crisis Hub. Target users include:
- Crisis Call Center Agents and Leads
- Mobile Crisis Response Team Members and Dispatchers
- Provider Account Admins and Agents (for data entry and referrals)
- Crisis Facility Staff (for bed registry management)
- Care Navigators (for follow-up services)
Use Cases: Coordinating a 988 call into a mobile crisis dispatch, locating an available crisis stabilization unit bed, and tracking a patient's transition from crisis intervention to long-term outpatient care.