I’m sure you have these links but just in case

Mobile crisis unit. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/community-services-board/services/mobile-crisis-unit

I just googled this for more information. We are in Fairfax County and ended up getting court involved with our kid, for very different reasons. It was not a great situation and it is a long hard road. Ultimately, over 14, they still will need his consent for anything.

Have you ever called the mobile crisis unit? They could be helpful for you in this case.

If it gets to a point where he’s a danger to himself or others, they take him by force in handcuffs for an evaluation if you call 911. It’s something to deescalate a situation in the moment, or at least ensure safety. I’m wishing you the best. It’s a nightmare to go through this with your child.

If it’s any consolation, we are on the other end and things did get better years later after a few very rough years.

I would find out where your insurance will pay for residential and start calling yourself. There will likely be waitlists, but I don’t understand what they mean by saying “it will take some time” - they are stalling. My DS went to the FOCUS depression program at Rogers Behavioral Health in Wisconsin. You will have to be willing to travel - the options are not mostly local. I also recommend you join the WTRS group on Facebook. There are a lot of experienced parents there and info on all kinds of higher levels of care both private pay and in network. Another thing to note is that if you want insurance coverage, your DC will have to consent to treatment if over age 14. That can be tricky. We had to work with a therapist to help us craft the “you either go to this program and try it, or the following things are going to change…” conversation.

I’m not in Virginia so I can’t speak to CHINS.

Best of luck, OP. It’s a terrible place, I know, but it can get better.

ISO feedback from those who have experience with a CHINS petition.

DC (15 years) has history of depression and anxiety. Refuses meds, refuses therapy, no longer goes to school, no contact with friends. DC does not meet the criteria for inpatient admissions because is not a threat although has a history of suicide attempt in the past. Psychiatrist has done everything they can to help, IEP team has done everything they can to help, we as parents have tried to do everything we can to help. Insurance company states it's going to take a while to find residential placement if we want to go down that route. We cannot afford an extra $70-80K/year to do private pay residential care or therapeutic boarding school. We are left with a CHINS petition option, but I am nervous about this.