2023 holiday SoberRide flier (via Washington Regional Alcohol Program)
Lyft is ringing in the new year by offering free rides to Arlington residents over 21 from now until New Year’s Day.
Spearheaded by the Tysons-based Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP), the initiative, known as SoberRide, aims to reduce drunk driving around holidays including Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day and New Year’s Eve when DUI crashes tend to spike.
“Over a third of all U.S. traffic fatalities during Christmas and New Year’s in 2021 involved drunk drivers according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,” WRAP President and CEO Kurt Erickson said in a press release.
Users can access this promotion by downloading the Lyft app and applying a special code found on WRAP’s website in the “Add Lyft Pass” section under the app’s payment tab.
The SoberRide code offers up to $15 off per ride and is valid from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. daily until Jan. 1.
While all codes available through this Thursday have been claimed, another 2,250 codes will be available from this Friday through New Year’s Eve, Erickson told ARLnow.
The following two rounds of promotional codes will be released at 9 p.m. this Friday and Sunday, Dec. 31, ahead of the celebrations.
Since its launch in 1991, SoberRide has offered 88,126 free rides home in the D.C. area to prevent drunk driving, including over 900 rides last New Year’s Eve, per the release.
“Lyft is dedicated to providing access to reliable and responsible rides, and we’re proud to partner with programs like WRAP to offer Lyft as an alternative to impaired driving,” Lyft’s Director of Public Policy for Community Safety Kamillah Wood said in the release.
“Through our Roadway Safety Program and our partnerships with the public, we hope to empower our community with the tools to protect themselves and those around them this holiday season,” she continued.
Washington-Liberty High School in the snow (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Last month, a peculiar cybersecurity incident derailed class at Washington-Liberty and prompted a police investigation that is ongoing.
Around 10:10 a.m. on Nov. 30, police were dispatched to the school for “the late report of suspicious circumstances,” says ACPD spokeswoman Ashley Savage.
“The preliminary investigation indicates that between 10:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on November 29, a student inside Washington Liberty High School utilized an electronic device that caused nearby iPhones to turn off,” she said.
“Police identified the involved student and the manner of intrusion that impacted the iPhones,” she continued. “Based on the preliminary investigation, there is no ongoing threat to the community related to this incident.”
Although ACPD identified the student involved, no charges have been sought at this time because police are still investigating the incident and any impacts to affected devices, says Savage.
Later that week, on Dec. 1, Arlington Public Schools shared a message from ACPD to the W-L community, seeking to find more potentially impacted phones. The message, shared with ARLnow, advised recipients of the incident and asking anyone whose cell phone turned off while at the school on Nov. 29 to file an online police report or contact the tip line at 703-228-4180 or [email protected].
“Victims have been identified and efforts to identify potential additional victims are ongoing,” Savage said.
ACPD did not provide additional details, such as what kind of device might have been used, citing the need to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation. A cybersecurity expert contacted by ARLnow declined to speculate on how a student might have turned off nearby iPhones.
The police department did note that it is not currently investigating any similar incidents. ACPD also shared some general cybersecurity tips.
“Police recommend community members always ensure their electronic devices are up to date with the latest software provided by their manufacturer and/or service provider,” Savage said. “Additional cybersecurity best practices include using strong passwords, thinking before you click on suspicious links, and using multi-factor authentication.”
The unusual incident comes as Arlington Public Schools have seen multiple lockdowns, some due to gun-relatedthreats, particularly this year, while others have been chalked up to “swatting,” or hoax calls to 911 about school threats intended to elicit a large police response.
Police say a juvenile male suspect threatened the victim, tried to strike him with a screwdriver, and then stole his keys and wallet. The suspect then “tampered” with the vehicle, according to Arlington County police, before running off and getting arrested a few blocks away.
Police are classifying the incident as a carjacking and robbery. It is at least the 18th reported carjacking in Arlington so far this year — up from 14 last year — but the first since late October.
More, below, from an ACPD crime report.
CARJACKING, 2023-12160222, 1800 block of N. Quinn Street. At approximately 7:58 p.m. on December 16, police were dispatched to the report of a stolen vehicle. Upon arrival, it was determined the male victim was walking away from his parked vehicle when the juvenile male suspect approached, began making threatening statements and allegedly attempted strike the victim with a screwdriver. The suspect then stole the victim’s car keys and wallet and proceeded to enter the victim’s vehicle during which the victim called police. It was determined the suspect then tampered with the vehicle before leaving the scene on foot. Responding officers canvassed the area and located the suspect, who initially fled, and subsequently took him into custody at N. Quinn Street and Langston Boulevard. During a search of his person incident to arrest, the victim’s wallet and a screwdriver were recovered. The victim declined medical attention. Petitions for the juvenile male suspect were sought for Carjacking, Robbery and Attempted Malicious Wounding.
Late afternoon in Rosslyn (photo courtesy George Brazier)
Major Development Proposal — “[A proposed development site on S. Glebe Road is] currently home to the Hotel Pentagon and Comfort Inn Pentagon City, which together comprise 319 rooms across several buildings rising between two and seven stories. CC Rock Arlington Owner LLC, with corporate filings in Delaware but none in Virginia, submitted a major site plan amendment application to Arlington’s planning department on Thursday, proposing to redevelop the site with 521 new multifamily units across 639,000 square feet.” [Washington Business Journal]
Pride Flag Repeatedly Stolen — “An Arlington couple says someone keeps tearing down their Pride flag. ‘I want people to know this isn’t okay we’re here we’re gonna put our flag up regardless,’ said Jenna Burnett and Michelle Logan… ‘We looked at the Ring camera and it was just like a male and his two friends and he was wearing a cowboy hat.” [WUSA 9]
Nat’l NAACP Calls for Investigation — “Today, via written letter, the National General Counsel for the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization formally calls on the Department of Justice to conduct an independent pattern and practice investigation into the Arlington County Detention Facility.” [Press Release]
Confederate Memorial Removal on Hold — “A federal judge on Monday issued a temporary restraining order barring removal of a memorial to Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. A group called Defend Arlington, affiliated with a group called Save Southern Heritage Florida, filed a lawsuit Sunday in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, seeking the restraining order. A hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday.” [Associated Press]
Stormwater Change Approved — “The Arlington County Board has formally adopted a new, fairer way to fund the increasingly vital handling of stormwater, approving the County’s first-ever stormwater utility fee, to take effect Jan. 1, 2024. The new fee, based on each property’s non permeable or impervious area, replaces the previous sanitary district tax, which was based on property’s real estate assessments.” [Arlington County]
Fight Caught on Camera — From Dave Statter: “If you saw the police response around N. Glebe & Pershing just after 2:30 p.m. yesterday, this was the fight that brought the 911 calls. @ArlingtonVaPD handled.” [Twitter]
Local Democratic Figure Dies — “Arlington Democrats mourn the loss of Cragg Hines, a legendary journalist, Democratic activist, donor, and community leader. Cragg wasn’t just a chronicler of history, he was a part of history.” [Twitter]
Bench to Honor Community Activist — “The Dominion Hills Civic Association has placed a memorial bench at Dominion Hills Park in honor of Brian Hannigan, who died in May 2022. More than 50 friends, neighbors and community leaders braved rainstorms on Dec. 17 to attend the ceremony.” [Gazette Leader]
Trail Work Planned — From BikeArlington: “HEADS UP for asphalt trail work starting TOMORROW – Tuesday, 12/19 through Wednesday 12/20 on Four Mile Run/Glencarlyn Park Trail (S. Arlington Mill Drive & 9th Street S.)” [Twitter]
It’s Tuesday — Expect mostly sunny skies and a high near 40 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind blowing at 15 to 23 mph, gusting up to 32 mph. In the evening, the sky will remain clear with temperatures dropping to around 27 degrees, while the northwest wind decreases to 7 to 11 mph. [Weather.gov]
The Barcroft Apartments on Columbia Pike (via Arlington County)
Arlington County Board members and advocates were split this weekend on how many units at the Barcroft Apartments should be set aside for Arlington’s lowest-income earners.
Two years ago, the county and Amazon loaned $150 million and $160 million, respectively, to developer Jair Lynch Real Estate Partners to purchase the aging garden apartment complex, located on 60 acres near the corner of S. George Mason Drive and S. Four Mile Run Drive.
The purchase agreement stipulated all 1,335 units would be affordable to households earning up to 60% of the area median income, or AMI, for 99 years, in an effort to avoid displacing the 1,100 resident families who lived there.
After community members advocated for deeper affordability, Jair Lynch developed a financing plan that further commits the county and property owner to keep at least 134 units for households earning up to 30% AMI. This would be the county’s largest commitment of 30% AMI units to date, among the properties in its affordable housing stock, according to a county report.
Board members celebrated the plan, which outlines how Jair Lynch will refinance the county’s loan to cover various renovation and redevelopment phases and try to achieve savings for the county in the long run. During remarks when they approved the plan, members said it documents how this project can be financially viable, despite cripplingly high interest rates.
“There are so many good things that are happening here,” County Board Chair Christian Dorsey said. “The areas where people want improvements are absolutely doable because the partners involved are committed not only to making this a financially viable experience but a good experience.”
He said that Saturday’s discussion was not the time or place to add in a new affordability commitment.
Advocates wanted to see a total of 255 units set aside for 30% AMI households — a single person earning $31,65o or a family of four bringing in $45,210. That number reflects that 255 households at the Barcroft Apartments that reported earning up to 30% AMI in 2021, when Jair Lynch purchased the complex, according to the Arlington Community Foundation.
“Deeper affordability should not expire when the current residents move on,” Arlington Community Foundation Director of Grants and Initiatives Anne Vor der Bruegge said. “We acknowledge the sobering financial dynamics at play and the need to protect the viability of this deal, however, we believe that our goal can ultimately be accomplished using land use and other tools that have not yet been explored.”
Interim County Board member Tannia Talento was not so sure.
“When we look at other committed affordable properties in Arlington that are not able to maintain a good quality of maintenance for their buildings, I just cannot in good mind say, ‘Let’s deepen affordability and we’ll figure it out later,” she said. “I just can’t do it.”
Should market conditions improve or Jair Lynch finds other funding sources, the county and the developer will revisit this minimum commitment, which will hold if market conditions worsen instead, per the report.
“Part of the financing plan is utilizing these potential savings to pay down the County’s debt while still meeting County goals,” a report says. “These anticipated savings are important due to the significant increase in the cost of capital to the County because interest rates have jumped dramatically since the 2021 acquisition.”
Debt service on the county’s short-term line of credit is currently $9 million annually for interest alone — more than four times what was projected in 2021 for the 2023 fiscal year, the report says. The county says this puts a strain on its Affordable Housing Investment Fund, or AHIF, and its ability to take on new projects.
“That is an understatement, considering AHIFs total appropriation for FY 2024 is $20.5 million,” said former independent County Board candidate Audrey Clement, the lone speaker this weekend opposed to the project.
Police on scene of robbery at the Clarendon Metro station (staff photo)
Police on scene of robbery at the Clarendon Metro station (staff photo)
Police on scene of robbery at the Clarendon Metro station (staff photo)
Two men could be seen in handcuffs near the Clarendon Metro station this afternoon, after a reported robbery that left one person injured.
Initial reports suggest the robbery happened inside the Metro station just before 1 p.m. Police converged on the scene amid 911 calls about a pair of suspects in ski masks running through Clarendon following the robbery.
Medics were also dispatched to the station to treat the victim, who was injured inside the station.
A half hour after the robbery, both Arlington County police and Metro Transit Police were still on scene, questioning two handcuffed men on either side of Wilson Blvd.
ACPD spokeswoman Ashley Savage declined to provide additional details, instead referring ARLnow to Metro Transit Police.
Snatch and grab on the metro, stolen phone, appeared they caught the guy in the running store where he was hiding
Police officer conducts traffic stop during ACPD’s November 2023 Street Smart campaign in Courthouse (staff photo by James Jarvis)
Expect more cops on Arlington roads through New Year’s Day.
As part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign — tagline this year: “Drink and drive and you’ll see more than holiday lights” — Arlington County police have increased patrols through Jan. 1.
“Motorists nationwide can expect to see increased messaging about the dangers of driving under the influence, coupled with increased saturation patrols to identify and apprehend impaired drivers,” ACPD said in a press release.
The holidays are typically a dangerous time on the roads, due to a rise in alcohol-related crashes.
The extra patrols started this past Friday. The full press release is below.
The Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) is partnering with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) during the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign to remind motorists to keep the busy holiday season merry and bright by never getting behind the wheel after drinking. If your holiday festivities include alcohol, plan a sober ride home before the celebration begins – whether it’s by using a ridesharing service, taxi, public transportation, or designated sober driver.
The annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign aims to drastically reduce drunk driving on our nation’s roadways through a two-pronged approach of education and enforcement. From December 15, 2023 – January 1, 2024, motorists nationwide can expect to see increased messaging about the dangers of driving under the influence, coupled with increased saturation patrols to identify and apprehend impaired drivers.
Tragically, December can be a dangerous time for travelers. According to NHTSA, during the 2017-2021 December months, there were more than 4,500 people killed nationwide in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. In December 2021 alone, 1,013 people died in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. More parties and festivities celebrating the season can lead to more people making the dangerous decision to get behind the wheel after drinking. That is why ACPD is working with NHTSA to remind drivers of this important safety message: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
Celebrate the Season Responsibly
The Arlington County Police Department encourages you to follow these tips to keep the holidays safe and joyous:
Before you have even one drink, plan a way to get home safely. If you wait until you’ve been drinking to make this decision, you might not make the safest choice.
The Washington Regional Alcohol Program’s 2023 Holiday SoberRide program is offering free rides home, in partnership with Lyft, from Friday, December 15, 2023, until Monday, January 1, 2024, nightly between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m.
If you see a suspected impaired driver on the roadway, report to your local law enforcement. To report a suspected impaired driver in Arlington County, call the Emergency Communications Center at 703-558-2222 or 9-1-1 in an emergency.
Have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.
For more information about the 2023 Holiday Season Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, visit the NHTSA website.
Gun caught by TSA officers on Dec. 15, 2023 at National Airport (photo courtesy TSA)
Gun caught by TSA officers on Dec. 15, 2023 at National Airport (photo courtesy TSA)
Gun caught by TSA officers on Dec. 15, 2023 at National Airport (photo courtesy TSA)
The banner year for gun confiscations at Reagan National Airport is continuing.
TSA agents stopped not one, not two, but three guns from being brought onto planes in carry-on baggage this past Friday. The three separate incidents — involving men from Rockville, Md.; Georgia; and Stafford, Va. — are not related, the TSA said.
So far this year officers have confiscated 37 guns at DCA, up from 29 last year and 14 in 2019.
More, below, from a TSA press release.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport prevented three travelers from carrying their handguns onto their flights today (Friday, Dec. 15). The incidents were not related.
It marked gun numbers 35, 36 and 37 that TSA officers at the airport have detected at the checkpoints so far this year, which is the most guns caught at the airport in a single year and the most caught in a single day. It also follows a national trend in seeing a spike in the number of travelers who are bringing guns to airport checkpoints across the country. The previous high number of firearms stopped at the airport in a single year was 30, which took place in 2021.
Early this morning, TSA officers stopped a Rockville, Md., man who was in possession of a 9mm handgun that was loaded with 16 bullets and was packed alongside a gun magazine that was loaded with 17 additional bullets.
Two hours late, TSA officers stopped a man from Georgia who was in possession of a 9mm handgun. The firearm was not loaded, but it was packed along with 15 accessible bullets.
Then this evening, a third man, this one from Stafford, Va., was stopped with a 9mm handgun loaded with 15 bullets.
The guns were caught as the men entered the security checkpoint. The X-ray unit alerted the TSA to take a closer look inside the carry-on bags. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police confiscated the guns and cited the individuals on weapons charges.
Guns are not permitted through the security checkpoint and now each traveler faces a stiff financial civil penalty from TSA. The penalty for carrying weapons can reach a maximum of $15,000.
“Today, one of our busiest days of the holiday season, we unfortunately had three passengers bring their firearms to our TSA security checkpoints. Our officers remain engaged and alert and caught these weapons before they could be brought to the aircraft,” said John Busch, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “I am disappointed to continue seeing an increasing number of travelers bring their firearms to checkpoints. It’s careless to do so and there is no excuse. Responsible gun owners know where their guns are at all times. These travelers now face a Federal civil penalty that could cost them thousands of dollars.
“The holiday travel season is upon us and this is no time to be toting a gun to our checkpoints, yet this morning it happened twice. That delays everyone and is an accident waiting to happen in a busy, crowded terminal,” Busch added.
Passengers are only permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage. Firearms must be unloaded then packed in a hard-sided locked case. The locked case should be taken to the airline check-in counter to be declared. TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.
Rain and umbrellas and holiday lights in Shirlington (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Teen Arrested for Green Valley Shooting — “The Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit is announcing an arrest in the shooting that occurred on December 9, 2023, at S. Kemper Road and S. Oxford Street.” [ACPD]
Creepy Gingerbread Man Mystery — “Imagine sitting down for dinner with your family, and you get a Ring notification. You check the camera, but it’s not a delivery person or a neighbor, it’s a gingerbread man. That is exactly what happened to one Arlington family who lives along N George Mason Drive on Wednesday.” [WUSA 9]
Forestry Plan Approved — “During their regular meeting on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, the Arlington County Board unanimously voted to adopt the Forestry and Natural Resources Plan (FNRP), which provides guidance for the conservation and integrated management of Arlington’s natural resources and ecosystems across public and private property.” [Arlington County]
Confederate Memorial to Be Removed — “The U.S. Army intends to remove a Confederate memorial from Arlington National Cemetery next week as part of its ongoing work to rid Defense Department property of divisive rebel imagery, defying dozens of congressional Republicans who have vociferously protested the move.” [Washington Post]
New Board Members Sworn In — “Maureen Coffey (left) and Susan Cunningham (right) were sworn in as incoming Arlington County Board members on Friday, December 15, 2023. They were elected in the 2023 November County Board General Election and will officially begin their terms on January 1, 2024. They will fill the seats of Board Chair Christian Dorsey and Interim Board Member Tannia Talento after their terms conclude at the end of this year.” [Arlington County]
YHS Hockey Undefeated, So Far — “The Yorktown High School club ice hockey team improved to 4-0 with a 5-2 victory Gainesville. Yorktown continues atop the Patrick Division standings in the Northern Virginia Scholastic Hockey League with that 4-0 record.” [Gazette Leader]
Alexandria Housing Pricier Than Arlington — “Arlington found itself supplanted in November by Alexandria, which raced ahead to post the highest per-square-foot home-sales price across Northern Virginia. Arlington saw a year-over-year increase of 2.2 percent to $465, according to figures reported Dec. 11 by Bright MLS, the region’s multiple-listing service, and analyzed by the GazetteLeader. But Alexandria did better, gaining 7 percent year-over-year for an average per-square-foot cost of $472.” [Gazette Leader]
‘Wreaths Across America’ Recap — “On Saturday, millions of Americans remembered the nation’s fallen, honoring the men and women who have served by placing fresh greens on millions of graves as part of National Wreaths Across America Day 2023. Volunteers laid wreaths on gravesites at 4,225 participating locations across the country, saying the names of the service members aloud. At Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., more than 30,000 volunteers placed approximately 260,000 wreaths at every gravesite and niche column.” [Stars and Stripes]
It’s Monday — Expect showers mainly before 1pm with cloudy skies clearing gradually later and a high near 52. It will be windy, featuring northwest winds of 17-26 mph and gusts up to 44 mph. The precipitation chance is 70%, with amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. Tonight, there’s a slight chance of showers after 1am, with partly cloudy skies and a low of 33. West winds will blow at 10-15 mph, gusting up to 21 mph, and a 20% chance of precipitation. [Weather.gov]
Today’s Morning Notes are brought to you by coworking provider Industrious. ARLnow has been based in an Industrious office for several years and we love the convenience — you get to focus on your work rather than worrying about brewing your own coffee or keeping the copy machine stocked with paper. Industrious has several Metro-accessible Arlington locations to choose from.
Police response to multiple stabbings on Columbia Pike (photo courtesy Matthew Young)
Police response to multiple stabbings on Columbia Pike (photo courtesy Matthew Young)
Police response to multiple stabbings on Columbia Pike (photo courtesy Matthew Young)
Police response to multiple stabbings on Columbia Pike (photo courtesy Matthew Young)
Three people were seriously hurt in a fight that resulted in multiple stabbings Friday night.
The stabbings happened around 6 p.m. in a residential building on the 5100 block of Columbia Pike, in the Arlington Mill neighborhood, according to Arlington County police. Five people, who all knew each other, were fighting in a stairwell when three were stabbed, ACPD said.
The victims — two men and a teen boy — were rushed to local trauma centers and are all expected to survive, after being found wounded in three separate locations. One of the men was initially reported to be in critical condition.
The stabbings prompted a large police response at multiple scenes and some partial road closures. Police have not announced any arrests and said today that they’re still investigating.
More, below, from an ACPD press release.
The Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit is investigating a stabbing that occurred in the Arlington Mill neighborhood on the evening of December 15, 2023.
At approximately 6:08 p.m., police were dispatched to the report of a stabbing in the 5100 block of Columbia Pike. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male subject suffering from a laceration and immediately began rendering aid. Responding officers canvassed the area and located an additional adult male subject in the 1000 block of S. Frederick Street and a juvenile male subject in the 5000 block of 8th Road S. also suffering from lacerations and rendered aid. Medics responded and all three patients were transported to area hospitals with serious injuries. At this time, all three patients are in stable condition and their injuries are considered non-life threatening.
The preliminary investigation indicates a physical altercation between approximately five subjects, who are known to each other, occurred in a stairwell inside a residential building in the 5100 block of Columbia Pike, during which the three individuals sustained their injuries. During the course of the investigation, a knife was recovered.
This remains an active criminal investigation. Anyone with information or home surveillance that may assist with the investigation is asked to contact the Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit at 703-228-4180 or [email protected]. Information may also be reported anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). For additional community resources and contact information, visit our website.
Arlington County Dept. of Human Services headquarters at Sequoia Plaza (staff photo)
Arlington County is slated to accept a $95,000 grant to place two older adults with serious mental illnesses in community-based treatment once they leave state psychiatric hospitals.
The money will pay for housing costs, medications, transportation, or other associated costs as part of their treatment plans.
Their discharge, treatment and funding plans are approved by Arlington’s Community Services Board. These county-appointed community members oversee how the county Dept. of Human Services provides services to people with mental health challenges, developmental disabilities and substance use disorder.
The one-time grant funds come from the Virginia Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Not having this grant would mean longer wait times for these two individuals set to leave a state hospital, says DHS spokesman Kurt Larrick.
“If we did not have this funding available right now, they would need to wait until a slot in the [Regional Older Adults Facility Mental Health Support Team (RAFT) program] became available or clinical staff identified another option,” Larrick said.
RAFT is a grant-funded program that discharges older adults from psychiatric hospitals to long-term care and, where possible, diverts them from hospitals in the first place. Arlington County DHS manages it for Northern Virginia, says Larrick, and partners with assisted living and nursing home facilities throughout the region.
The 10-person team works to provide community treatment options to people ages 65 and older who have a diagnosis of serious mental illness or dementia and who either have been hospitalized in a psychiatric facility or are at risk of hospitalization.
It served 106 clients last fiscal year, up from 73 the year prior, a 45% increase attributed to the launch of a dementia program in January 2023. Through this program, the team helps ensure people with dementia can live at home or with a caregiver by providing specialized dementia training to caregivers.
The team also provides on-call support to assisted living and nursing home facilities to prevent psychiatric hospitalizations or oversee discharge when a client is hospitalized.
RAFT has a 90% satisfaction rate among clients and partnering organizations, according to a recent survey, in which several people shared their gratitude for the program and its staff.
Each year, RAFT receives $500,000 from DBHDS. While the program faces budget pressures, due to factors such as inflation, Larrick says running the program remains tenable.
Individuals who receive treatment through RAFT are asked to contribute what they can to their care, he said. To keep costs down, the program also leverages community partnerships and other resources for older adults.
