This report details potential strategies for alleviating the high bed census at the Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents (CCCA) through partnership between the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) and the Virginia Treatment Center for Children (VTCC). VTCC recently began implementing changes to its model of care including an interdisciplinary approach that increases the clinical services available within the VCU Health System Emergency Department. VTCC has expressed interest in partnering with DBHDS in the following areas:

- Increase capacity and fully serve children and adolescents subject to a temporary detention order (TDO) who would otherwise be admitted to CCCA

- Serve as a step-down for youth clinically ready to discharge from CCCA

- Assist with preventing inpatient hospitalizations altogether for children for whom an alternative is appropriate

- Further develop innovative treatment models that address the complex needs for children’s mental health

The following includes an overview of the high bed census at CCCA including more information on CCCA’s patient population, VTCC’s plans for shifting its model of care, and shared strategies between DBHDS and VTCC to alleviate the high bed census at CCCA and prevent TDOs and inpatient hospitalization altogether when appropriate.