REACH Services for Adults

Compassionate crisis response for unique needs

If you or a loved one has an Intellectual Disability or a Developmental Disability (ID/DD), such as autism, you know that these diagnoses come with unique challenges. When a traumatic event or crisis occurs—whether it is at home, work, or in the community—it can cause strong emotional reactions in all of us, but it can be especially overwhelming for adults who process the world differently.

The Regional Education Assessment Crisis Services Habilitation (REACH) program is specifically designed to give adults with ID/DD the immediate resources and support they need in a crisis situation so they can heal, stabilize, and move forward.

What the REACH Mobile Crisis Team is

REACH is a regional 24/7 community-based mobile crisis team designed to provide immediate intervention and prevent the need for a higher level of care. Our ultimate goal is to support the least restrictive care necessary, keeping individuals stable and safe within their own home community.
When a crisis occurs, our Master’s level clinicians respond directly to the individual to provide:

Immediate Mobile Crisis Response: 24/7/365 assessment and stabilization services right where the crisis is happening.

Crisis Education Prevention Plan (CEPP): The development and implementation of a personalized CEPP to help manage future challenges.

Support System Training: Education and training for the individual’s caregivers, family, and providers to help them understand how adults with ID/DD process trauma and how to best offer support.

Higher-Level Prevention: Targeted supports and resources to prevent homelessness, incarceration, hospitalization, or danger to self/others.

Stabilization Facilities: If a crisis cannot be stabilized in the community, REACH can coordinate a short-term stay at our Crisis Therapeutic Home (CTH) for adults in need of immediate residential prevention (5 days or less) or crisis stabilization (up to 30 days).

Who the REACH program serves

REACH is available throughout the Region Five service area (including Western Tidewater, Chesapeake, Williamsburg, Eastern Shore, Hampton-Newport News, Middle Peninsula-Northern Neck, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach).

• This program serves adults (ages 18 and older) who:
• Have been identified as having an intellectual or developmental disability.
• Are experiencing a mental health emergency, challenging behavioral needs, or a dangerous change in typical behavior.
• Have limited coping skills and are overwhelmed by traumatic events (such as violence, substance abuse, or a community tragedy).

You’re not alone. Recovery support is here.

If you are trying to rebuild stability after a behavioral or mental health crisis, you do not have to do it by yourself. The REACH program can be a practical next step toward stronger routines, healthier coping, and more connection.

WTCSB is here to help you find the right level of support and move forward one step at a time.