Grantee Spotlight: Colonial Behavioral Health
By: WHF Staff
Founded in 1971, Colonial Behavioral Health (CBH) serves as the Community Services Board for the counties of James City and York and the cities of Williamsburg and Poquoson. As the region’s publicly funded behavioral health agency, CBH acts as the single point of entry for individuals seeking mental health, developmental, and substance use disorder care.
CBH is committed to meeting people where they are, offering a broad range of person-centered care support for individuals across the lifespan. Services range from early intervention, outpatient therapy, and psychiatric care to crisis intervention, substance use treatment, and programs for individuals with developmental disabilities. In addition to direct care, CBH staff also work to build a more informed and supportive community. They offer a variety of mental health training opportunities throughout the year designed to equip members of the Greater Williamsburg area with skills to face mental health challenges.
For youth aged 6-18 and families facing complex challenges, CBH operates the Greater Williamsburg Child Assessment Center, which provides comprehensive specialized assessments related to mental health, substance use, and trauma, among other things. Following a child’s initial evaluation, staff provides care coordination , linking families to mental health resources and service options, family support, and other community-based assistance based on individualized need.
Williamsburg Health Foundation’s Ongoing Support
CBH plays an important role in expanding access to care, integrating behavioral health into primary care settings, and enhancing behavioral health services in Greater Williamsburg. This work directly aligns with the Williamsburg Health Foundation’s strategic plan goal to strengthen the healthcare safety net. Since 1998, the Foundation has supported CBH’s mission through 106 grants totaling $8.7 million. For more information about Colonial Behavioral Health and the programs they provide, visit https://www.colonialbh.org/.
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The Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) is an independent private health foundation with the mission to collaborate, innovate, and invest to impact systems that improve the health and well-being of individuals living in Greater Williamsburg. The Foundation was established in September 1996 when the Williamsburg Community Hospital and Sentara developed an affiliation agreement and later merged. This agreement included a provision for a new, locally organized, and managed Foundation to benefit community health. Since inception, WHF has awarded over $110 million in grants to improve community health and well-being.