DBHDS to hold town hall meetings on Transformation Team Recommendations

During the month of May, Commissioner Ferguson of the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS) and the Transformation Team Co-Chairs will host four town hall meetings across the state to solicit feedback from the general public on the Transformation Team recommendations to the Commissioner.

The Teams are tasked with making recommendations to transform Virginia’s behavioral health and developmental services system into a patient centered system that promotes and improves quality, and increases access and accountability.

Last fall, Commissioner Debra Ferguson formed four Transformation Teams: adult behavioral health services, adult developmental services, child and adolescent behavioral health services; and services to individuals who are involved in the justice system.  Each team met regularly over the last six months. In April, the Transformation Teams finalized and submitted the first round of draft recommendations.

The next step is soliciting public comment.  If interested individuals cannot attend but still wish to contribute, they can email their comments to [email protected].

Broad public input is a key component to ensure recommendations lead to a system that is flexible, responsive, high quality, accountable, and accessible for all Virginians who need specific behavioral health and developmental disability services.

The teams’ recommendations will be presented at the following locations and dates:

• Monday, May 11: Williamsburg Regional Library, 515 Scotland St. Williamsburg, VA  23188 – 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 12: Ferlazzo Human Services Building, 15941 Donald Curtis Drive Suite 200, Woodbridge, Virginia 22191 – 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Friday, May 15:  Piedmont Community College, Main Building, Auditorium Room 229, 501 College Dr, Charlottesville, VA 22902 – 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Wednesday, May 20:  Snyder Auditorium, Wytheville Community College, 1000 E Main St, Wytheville, VA 24382 – 10 a.m.- 12 p.m.

Members of the media who are interested in attending should RSVP email: [email protected].