POLICY UPDATE: Standing up for GMU statement, court assistance with veterans’ mental health, General Election early voting opens, Marcus Alert update

(Week of Sept. 15-19, 2025)

• NASWVA Sends Letter of Support to GMU, Department of Social Work to Counter Discrimination Charges

• Henrico Joins Districts Helping Crime-Charged Veterans Receive Mental Health Help

• Early In-Person Voting for Nov. 4 Election Opens Friday, Sept. 19

• Lack of Dispatcher Training and Funding Threaten Marcus Alert Effectiveness for Assisting People in Mental Health Crisis 

Social Work Education/DEI: NASW Virginia has sent a letter of strong support to George Mason University, its Department of Social Work, and GMU President Washington as they push back on claimed discrimination and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) violations of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by federal departments of Education and Justice. Read more. 

Criminal Reform/Veterans Affairs: Henrico General District Courthouse launched its first “veterans’ docket” in July to help former service members receive mental health and substance abuse treatment and “restore the badge of honor they once had.” The new process--which also operates in Prince William, Spotsylvania, Rappahannock, and Chesterfield—includes a mentorship program whereby a charged veteran meets weekly with a fellow vet, as well as regularly with a treatment coordinator and social worker or other mental health professional. “High-risk” vets with substance use or behavioral health-related charges appear in court monthly to share their progress and verify that they are following the program. Those with more serious charges such as violent crimes do not qualify for this “second chance.” One-third of veterans nationwide say they experience PTSD, addiction, or depression but less than half receive mental health screening or treatment.     

Voting Rights: Early in-person voting for the Nov. 4 General Election starts Friday, Sept. 19 at your local registrar’s office and satellite voting stations. Visit the Virginia Board of Elections or our Voter Information page for details on locations, hours, deadlines, valid identification, and more. Make your voting plan now—and remember, voting is social work! Also, please note that NASW Virginia has endorsed former Rep. Abigail Spanberger for governor and Legislator of the Year Ghazala Hashmi for lieutenant governor.

Behavioral Health: Behavioral health first-responder calls have risen from 10% in 2022 to 22% in 2024 (43,000 calls), but only one-third of Virginia localities have the four-year-old Marcus Alert system in place, according to a new report by the state Behavioral Health Commission. An additional 10 community services boards plan to launch the system to dispatch social workers and other behavioral health clinicians when 911 situations involve people in mental health crises. All localities are required by law to have Marcus Alerts established by July 2028, but full state funding, an adequate social work workforce, and training of 911 dispatchers are needed to ensure this occurs. Advocates also worry that steep federal funding cuts may result in lower state funding.