The Marcus-David Peters Act

A plan for improving response to mental and behavioral health crises in Virginia and Richmond

The Marcus Alert is a statewide framework intended to improve the response to Virginia’s mental and behavioral health crises. The governor signed the Virginia state legislature to put the framework in place in late 2020.

Changes resulting from the Marcus Alert began in Prince William County in December 2021.

How does it work?

Marcus Alert enhances services for people experiencing a crisis related to mental health, substance use, or developmental disability. Marcus Alert creates coordination between 911 and regional crisis call centers and establishes a specialized behavioral health response from law enforcement when responding to a behavioral health situation.

Where is Marcus Alert Now Available?

• The program is now available in 5 localities, one within each region of the State.
• Western VA: Madison County, Fauquier County, Warrenton and Culpeper City (Rappahannock-Rapidan Community Services)
• Northern VA: Prince William County (Prince William County Community Services)
• Southwest VA: City of Bristol and Washington County including the Towns of Abingdon, Damascus, and Glade Spring (Highlands CSB)
• Central VA: City of Richmond (Richmond Behavioral Health Authority)
• Southeast VA: City of Virginia Beach (Virginia Beach Human Services )
• The remaining cities and counties in Virginia have until July 1, 2026, to begin Marcus

What Happens Now?

If you or a loved one make a call to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273- TALK) for a behavioral health crisis, you will be connected to the new regional crisis call centers.

• The regional crisis call center staff are trained to assess calls for what type of intervention is needed. They offer services ranging from over-the-phone de-escalation to mobile crisis dispatch. In more severe cases, they will also coordinate with law enforcement to arrive on the scene.
• Mobile Crisis Team – adult or youth
• REACH Crisis Team (services those with developmental disabilities)
• Mobile Co-Responder Team (includes Law Enforcement)
• CIT Trained Officers
• Other community response teams
• As a last resort, traditionally trained Law Enforcement, EMS, and/or Fire may be dispatched to the scene.

Call to Action

If you are a mental health provider of color or a college student of color who is pursuing a career as a mental health provider and would like to hear more about how you can help answer the call to improve the quality of behavioral health crisis response in the Greater Prince William Area, please contact us to find out more!   Get Involved (Providers)!

Clinical Supervision Announcement Opportunity

If you are pursuing a counseling career as an LPC, LMFT, or LCSW in Virginia and require clinical supervision hours, go to: https://forms.office.com/r/JdvwMvPfBp to complete the Clinical Supervision Application or scan the CR code below.

Mentoring & Career Coaching Announcement Opportunity for Mental Health Counseling, Psychology, and Social Work Historically Black Colleges & University (HBCU) Students.

 If you are interested in pursuing a counseling career as an LPC, LMFT, or LCSW in Virginia and would like to receive mentoring and career coaching, go to: https://forms.office.com/r/2MPa4Jau7b to complete the Mentoring/Career Coaching Application or scan the CR code below.

If you would like to hear more about how you can help answer the call to improve the quality of behavioral health crisis response in the Greater Prince William Area, please get in touch with us at Laurie.wilson@mftsva.com and sign up here for our Newsletter.