Dept of Community and Human Services

301 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314

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Make the most of Alexandria's outstanding quality of life with information and services of interest to residents.

Are you ready? These links contain resources and information to help residents, businesses and visitors to prepare for all types of emergencies, and to stay safe.

Learn more about pets and animals, schools and libraries, parks and farmers' markets, community gardens, and more.

There are many opportunities to get involved to help better the City of Alexandria. Opportunities include serving on a Board, Commission or Committee, providing input on a new City project or speaking at a City Council meeting.

Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

Historic Alexandria is a treasure trove of early structures, artifacts, and records that creates a unique way of life for its citizens and provides enjoyment for thousands of people who visit this special community every year. The City continues to add resources to its collection of local and nationally designated historic districts.

Find out whether a permit is required, the type of permit needed, fees involved, and what requirements are necessary for the activity you want to engage in Alexandria.

Parking Information for the City of Alexandria, Virginia.

Alexandria is committed to ensuring our residents thrive through physical, mental, and social health.

Agencies and programs that help maintain our safety and overall quality of life. These links contain information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

The City provides a number of services to residents, including refuse collection and recycling. In addition, the City is responsible for maintaining streets, sidewalks, bridges, and other infrastructure in the City.

The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values. Taxes can be paid in a variety of ways including online, by phone and by mail.

Did you know that ACPS is one of the most diverse school systems in the country? Our students come from more than 80 different countries, speak more than 60 languages, and represent a myriad of ethnic and cultural groups. The Alexandria Library is an educational, user-oriented service institution providing free public access to recorded knowledge and ideas.

The City provides public assistance as a safety net for individuals and families, including help with homelessness prevention, food, rent, utilities, medical coverage and prescriptions, job training and placement assistance, and much more.

The City of Alexandria does not operate any public utilities. The following companies are the primary providers of their respective servers:

Whether you live here or are just visiting, Extraordinary Alexandria is a great place to shop, dine, take in the arts, get outdoors, and just have fun.

If you are looking for small-town charm and big-city amenities, Alexandria is the place to find them. Alexandria has a fascinating history, and many of its historic buildings are still preserved today. The City's many historic homes, churches, businesses, and museums allow residents and visitors alike to experience the past that makes it the charming town it is today.

Through engaging the community, encouraging participation, and facilitating access to arts and culture, the City builds a vibrant community for its residents, workers, and visitors.

Find events and activities, shops and restaurants, concerts and performances, arts and culture, historic attractions, parks and libraries, farmers' markets, and more.

Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

Alexandria is a desirable location to live, work and play. The City owns many of the premier historic sites in Alexandria and it is charged with the conservation, interpretation and promotion of these links to the past.

Alexandria is an active community that offers more than 900 acres of parks and dedicated public space, and a wide variety of neighborhood and recreation centers, pools, dog parks, farmers' markets, waterfront activities and more.

Information about visiting Alexandria, including shopping, dining, attractions, accommodations, events listings and more. Plan your visit with an itinerary builder, interactive maps, hotel booking, online restaurant reservations and much more.

Ideally located just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., Alexandria is nationally recognized as one of the best places to live and do business on the east coast. Learn how we can help you start or relocate your business in Alexandria, and access resources for existing businesses and commuters.

The City provides services and resources to help existing businesses expand within the City and promotes recruiting new businesses in Alexandria.

Alexandria offers wide range of job opportunities and services. Work for City government or City Public Schools, find out about an internship opportunity or learn about workforce development and career training options.

Find out whether a permit is required, the type of permit needed, fees involved, and what requirements are necessary for the activity you want to engage in Alexandria.

The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values. Taxes can be paid in a variety of ways including online, by phone and by mail.

Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

We are here to serve you. Browse the topics to the right to about the programs and services we offer.

Call.Click.Connect., the City’s online customer service system, allows customers to submit service requests, report problems, search for information, or find the right contact to call for various issues and topics of interest.

What you need to know about animals, pets and wildlife in Alexandria.

Through engaging the community, encouraging participation, and facilitating access to arts and culture, the City builds a vibrant community for its residents, workers, and visitors.

The City provides services to residents, businesses, contractors, and visitors needing permits for constructions and other developments.

Information about the City's Human Rights Code, human rights and anti-discrimination services and activities, and resources and services for people with disabilities.

"Green" initiatives, air quality, noise, water conservation, mosquito and rodent control.

Alexandria offers wide range of job opportunities and services. Work for City government or City Public Schools, find out about an internship opportunity or learn about workforce development and career training options.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) centrally manages, shares and analyzes information about locations through specialized mapping technology. This information increases transparency, improves many City technology applications and provides critical data to decision makers and the public.

Alexandria is an active community that offers more than 900 acres of parks and dedicated public space, and a wide variety of neighborhood and recreation centers, pools, dog parks, farmers' markets, waterfront activities and more.

The City administers various housing-related programs and services.

Alexandria is committed to ensuring our residents thrive through physical, mental, and social health.

Agencies and programs that help maintain our safety and overall quality of life. These links contain information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

The City provides a number of services to residents, including refuse collection and recycling. In addition, the City is responsible for maintaining streets, sidewalks, bridges, and other infrastructure in the City.

The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values. Taxes can be paid in a variety of ways including online, by phone and by mail.

The City provides public assistance as a safety net for individuals and families, including help with homelessness prevention, food, rent, utilities, medical coverage and prescriptions, job training and placement assistance, and much more.

Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

The City of Alexandria does not operate any public utilities. The following companies are the primary providers of their respective servers:

Learn more about Alexandria's accountable, effective, and well-managed government.

The Alexandria City Council is composed of a Mayor and six Council members who are elected at-large for three-year terms. The Mayor, who is chosen on a separate ballot, presides over meetings of the Council and serves as the ceremonial head of government.

The City of Alexandria has a strong commitment to citizen participation as evidenced by the number of citizen boards and commissions established by City Council. These bodies compose a formal system through which citizens can advise City Council on all major issues affecting the City.

Information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

View a list of City departments, offices and other agencies, and learn about their role in the organization.

Alexandria voters elect a Mayor and City Council and three local officers, as well as state and federal representatives.

There are many opportunities to get involved to help better the City of Alexandria. Opportunities include serving on a Board, Commission or Committee, providing input on a new City project or speaking at a City Council meeting.

Find upcoming and archived meeting dockets, agendas, minutes and videos for various City Boards, Commissions and Committees; including City Council, Planning Commission, Boards of Architectural Review, Board of Zoning Appeals, Transportation Commission, Traffic & Parking Board, and more.

The City government acts with integrity in an open process, and provides timely access to clear, trustworthy information, presented and employed by all parties from the beginning to the end of the process, including the reasoning that leads to and supports the policy conclusion.

Much of our work involves creating and improving infrastructure and planning for the future. Learn more about major projects and plans here, and how you can get involved!

Information about arts, culture and historic projects in the City.

Information about commerical and residential development projects in the City.

Information about environmental and "green" projects in the City.

Information about infrastructure projects in the City.

Information about neighborhood projects in the City.

Information about parks and recreation projects in the City.

Information about City strategic plans, master plans, studies and guidance policies.

Information about public facilities projects in the City.

Information about social services projects and plans in the City.

Information about transportation projects and plans in and around the City.

There's always something to do in Alexandria! Browse community events, government meetings and activities, and important deadlines. View All Events

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We envision a community in which residents enjoy a sense of well-being, safety and self-sufficiency. We strive to provide effective and essential safety net services that measurably improve or maintain the quality of life for Alexandrians. We are guided by the following values and principles: equal access for all people, dignity and respect, cultural competency, ethics and accountability, collaboration, competency, integrity and continuous improvement.

The Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) provides social services and public benefits assistance; mental health, intellectual disability and substance abuse services; and supports initiatives for women through three direct care centers: the Center for Children & Families, the Center for Adult Services and the Center for Economic Support. Not sure what service you need? See our service chart, visit Call.Click.Connect or contact the DCHS Call Center at 703.746.5700.

The Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) provides social services and public benefits assistance; mental health, intellectual disability and substance abuse services; and supports initiatives for women through three direct care centers: the Center for Children & Families, the Center for Adult Services and the Center for Economic Support. Not sure what service you need? See our service chart, visit Call.Click.Connect or contact the DCHS Call Center at 703.746.5700.

Help spread the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover.

Help spread the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover.

Chronic stress can have negative side effects on everyone. Psycho-social factors, specifically, pervasive exposure to racism and discrimination, creates an additional daily stressor for people of color. Research shows this to be particularly true for African-Americans (APA, 2016). Read more.

For individuals in Alexandria looking to understand and assist those affected by mental illness, there are training options available. 

For individuals in Alexandria looking to understand and assist those affected by mental illness, there are training options available. 

Adults in Alexandria who work with middle or high school youth can now be trained in mental health ‘gatekeeper skills’ through online at-risk training simulations. This short interactive online training is designed for mentors, juvenile justice professionals, school staff, youth development staff, recreation professionals and human-service staff. The training is not recommended for licensed clinicians. Learn more and take the hour-long web-based training today!

Learn about the activities of the Department of Community and Human Services. The annual Community Impact Report highlights fiscal information along with the accomplishments of the three direct care centers: Adult Services, Children and Families and Economic Support. See the successes of our programs and clients, all which have been supported by our community partners. Find out why Emergency Services had an 82% increase in people served, how children's services saved millions of dollars while improving care, and see information on the number of Alexandrians experiencing homelessness and the drop in the rate of teen pregnancy.

Learn about the activities of the Department of Community and Human Services. The annual Community Impact Report highlights fiscal information along with the accomplishments of the three direct care centers: Adult Services, Children and Families and Economic Support. See the successes of our programs and clients, all which have been supported by our community partners. Find out why Emergency Services had an 82% increase in people served, how children's services saved millions of dollars while improving care, and see information on the number of Alexandrians experiencing homelessness and the drop in the rate of teen pregnancy.

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death among Americans, claiming more than twice as many lives each year as homicides. Learn more about this serious public health problem and what we can do to help prevent suicide.    

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death among Americans, claiming more than twice as many lives each year as homicides. Learn more about this serious public health problem and what we can do to help prevent suicide.  

The Department of Community and Human Services welcomes you to the online mental health screening and the screening tool for substance use disorders. This free screening is made available to the general public and is taken anonymously. The screening is provided so that you may find out - in a few minutes - whether or not professional consultation would be helpful to you.

The Department of Community and Human Services welcomes you to the online mental health screening and the screening tool for substance use disorders. This free screening is made available to the general public and is taken anonymously. The screening is provided so that you may find out - in a few minutes - whether or not professional consultation would be helpful to you.

Department of Community & Human Services

Primary Focus of the Provider

• Substance Abuse Treatment Services

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Type of Care

• Substance abuse treatment
• Detoxification
• Methadone maintenance
• Methadone maintenance for predetermined time
• Methadone detoxification
• Buprenorphine maintenance
• Buprenorphine maintenance for predetermined time
• Buprenorphine detoxification
• Relapse prevention from naltrxone
• Buprenorphine used in treatment
• Naltrexone (oral)
• Vivitrol (injectable Naltrexone)
• Methadone
• SAMHSA-certified Opioid Treatment Program

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Facility Type

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Treatment Approaches

• Cognitive/behavioral therapy
• Dialectical behavioral therapy
• Substance abuse counseling approach
• Trauma-related counseling

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Facility Smoking Policy

• Smoking permitted in designated area

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Service Setting (e.g., Outpatient, Residential, etc.)

• Residential
• Outpatient
• Short-term residential
• Residential detoxification
• Outpatient methadone/buprenorphine or vivitrol
• Intensive outpatient treatment
• Regular outpatient treatment

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Facility Operation (e.g. Private, Public)

• Local, county, or community government
• State substance abuse agency
• State mental health department
• Commission on Accreditation and Rehabilitation

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Payment/Insurance Accepted

• Cash or self-payment
• Medicaid
• Medicare
• State financed health insurance plan other than Medicaid
• Private health insurance
• Military insurance (e.g., TRICARE)
• Federal, or any government funding for substance abuse programs

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Emergency Mental Health Services

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Payment Assistance Available

• Sliding fee scale (fee is based on income and other factors)
• Payment assistance (check with facility for details)

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Language Services

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Special Programs/Groups Offered

• Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders
• Pregnant/postpartum women
• Adult women
• Adult men
• Persons with HIV or AIDS
• Persons who have experienced trauma
• Transitional age young adults

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Ancillary Services

• Non-nicotine smoking/tobacco cessation medications
• Alcohol Detoxification
• Cocaine Detoxification
• Methamphetamines Detoxification
• Opiods Detoxification
• Individual counseling offered
• Group counseling offered
• Family counseling offered
• Marital/couples counseling offered
• 12-step faciltitation approach
• Brief intervention approach
• Contingency management/motivational incentive
• Motivational interviewing
• Anger management
• Martix Model
• Relapse prevention

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Age Groups Accepted

• Young adults
• Adults

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Gender Accepted

• Female
• Male

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Exclusive Services

• Methadone and buprenorphine clients only
• Methadone clients only

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