FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — HopeLink Behavioral Health said a Fairfax County budget proposal could eliminate $618,952 in funding for its BeWell program, which provides coordinated health care support for people living with serious mental illness.
HopeLink said the county provided $497,423 for the program in FY24 and $535,451 in FY25. For FY26, HopeLink reported receiving $354,476 year to date for the period from July 1, 2025, through Feb. 28, 2026, which it said annualizes to about $531,714.
Eliminate The BeWell Program Contract
“This reduction eliminates the BeWell program contract, which provides individual health coaching and tailored smoking cessation support. The program, through a contract, integrates physical and behavioral health to promote overall wellness and recovery for individuals with mental health and substance use challenges. BeWell is funded with a combination of grant and General Fund resources. CSB was in the process of restructuring this program due to a loss of grant funding and will implement a new in-house smoking cessation program and nurse-led education groups to continue offering key wellness services.”
— Fairfax County Advertised Budget For FY2027
The Oakton-based nonprofit said BeWell began in 2015 as a partnership with the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board after nearly 40 percent of county residents with mental illness served by Fairfax County did not have a primary care physician. The program was originally funded through a grant from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, according to a HopeLink release.
BeWell integrates primary health care into behavioral health settings in Fairfax County, according to HopeLink. The program includes a nurse care manager from the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board and a HopeLink health coach team made up of peers who have lived with serious mental illness. HopeLink said each client is paired with a peer health coach for one-on-one support, and the program also offers group classes focused on health concerns and wellness practices.
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“Mental health is part of physical health. BeWell has enabled us to better serve individuals with mental health issues receive coordinated care for their overall health, rather than having two mostly independent systems of care,” said Joseph Getch, CEO of HopeLink Behavioral Health.
“Losing this program will be a significant step backwards for mental health services and those in Fairfax who’ve benefited from it. We hope that the Fairfax Board of Supervisors will keep funding this important and impactful program,” Getch said.
HopeLink said BeWell has helped more than 1,000 people since the program began. The next step in the budget process is the Board of Supervisors’ April 14 public hearing, where HopeLink staff and volunteers plan to attend as the county considers the FY2027 spending plan.
FY2027 Fairfax County Budget Timeline
April 14-16 – Board of Supervisors holds Public Hearings on FY 2027 Budget, FY 2027-FY 2031 Capital Improvement Program, and FY 2026 Third Quarter Review April 28 – Board of Supervisors marks-up FY 2027 Budget, adopts FY 2027-FY 2031 Capital Improvement Program and FY 2026 Third Quarter Review May 5 – Board of Supervisors to adopt FY 2027 Approved Budget May 12 – School Board holds public hearings on FY 2027 budget May 21 – School Board adopts FY 2027 Approved Budget July 1 – FY 2027 Budget Year Begins