First Episode Psychosis (FEP) is the initial onset of symptoms of a psychotic disorder. In these early stages of psychosis, connecting people to the proper treatment can result in changing the trajectory of their lives. Research has shown that Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) helps individuals with FEP learn to manage their illness, provides education and support for their caregivers, and improves their overall quality of life. The CSC program treatment is a person-centered, team–based, comprehensive treatment and support service.

Currently in Virginia, there are eight community services boards (CSBs) providing CSC services. Another three programs are in development to meet the increasing needs of this population. This report will explain current services for individuals with FEP and their funding in Virginia as well provide recommendations to expanding treatment across the Commonwealth. The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs), community services boards (CSBs), and other stakeholders collaborated with DBHDS to develop this report, identifying four key recommendations to expand and improve care in this area:

1. Continue state funding for the existing eight CSBs providing CSC and allocate ongoing state general funds for the three CSC programs at CSBs.

2. Work toward sustainable funding for CSC, including providing funding to DMAS for a rate study to develop a bundled reimbursement mechanism for CSC and consideration of the development of commercial rates.

3. Support training and technical assistance for CSC, including investing in or routine fidelity monitoring, training, and technical assistance from industry experts, such as ONTrackNY and NAVIGATE.

4. Invest in data collection and reporting mechanisms to monitor CSC outcomes, and join the Early Psychosis Intervention Network (EPINET) and the EPINET National Data Coordinating Center (ENDCC) to connect to national standards.