Insights and early outcomes shared during a recent panel at the National Association of Counties (NACo) highlight how Prince William County, Virginia, is redefining what a mental health crisis response system can look like. 

Naloxone reverses opioid overdoses, but the care someone receives after that moment matters just as much. In King County, Connections Health Solutions and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) partnered to create a new approach, one that focuses on safety, dignity, and connection rather than automatically sending people to emergency departments. 

No organization can deliver effective crisis care alone. At Connections, we've learned that the operational reality of crisis stabilization depends entirely on strong, multi-sector partnerships. Before we open doors in a new market, we spend months—sometimes years—building the relationships that will become the foundation of care. 

Behavioral health has long been caught between two imperatives: delivering exceptional care and ensuring financial viability. At Connections Health Solutions, we're proving there's a third option: a model that's financially viable because it delivers on its mission. 

Monday, November 17, 2025 marked a significant milestone for behavioral health care in Pennsylvania as we joined Montgomery County officials, mental health advocates, law enforcement, and community partners for the groundbreaking ceremony of a new emergency behavioral health crisis center in King of Prussia.

How innovative models are eliminating barriers through integrated behavioral health services 

Section 5124 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (CAA, 2023; P.L. 117-328) directed CMS and SAMHSA to develop guidance to promote access to the continuum of crisis care in Medicaid and CHIP and to establish a technical assistance center to help states develop an evidence-based continuum of crisis care. The following published documents and tools are intended to advance this initiative:

The behavioral health crisis continues to strain our healthcare system, communities, and most importantly, the individuals who need care most. In a recent webinar, Dr. Margie Balfour and Matt Miller critical insights from the Connections 2025 Behavioral Health True Costs Report, revealing both the devastating impact of a current broken system and the promising solutions emerging across the country.

When a behavioral health crisis occurs, many communities default to involving law enforcement. The result? Individuals in crisis are often taken to jails, an environment ill-suited to addressing their mental health needs. This approach not only fails the individual but also places an unnecessary burden on the criminal justice system. 

For individuals facing a behavioral health crisis, the traditional response often defaults to inpatient hospitalization. While longer-term inpatient care is sometimes necessary, it should not be the first or only solution. Most crises can be resolved quickly and effectively without the need for prolonged hospital stays, making the case for a more flexible, patient-centered approach.