In 2020, Virginia State legislators created the Mental Health Awareness Response and Community Understanding Services (MARCUS) alert system to promote behavioral health response to individuals in crisis, including those with substance abuse disorder and developmental disabilities.

The goals of the MARCUS Alert System are to increase:

• Access to care for individuals in crisis
• Access to timely treatment
• Sense of dignity
• Public recognition of community mental health needs

While decreasing:

• Likelihood of physical confrontation
• Arrests, detention, and use-of-force
• Injuries during crisis events
• Need for mental health treatment in jail
• Psychiatric hospitalizations

In compliance with VA Code Section § 9.1-193, the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office has created a voluntary database that allows individuals to disclose their mental illnesses to law enforcement privately. Information such as behavioral and mental health illnesses, developmental or intellectual disabilities, and brain injuries will remain confidential. The information given will not be made available to the public and will only be used by the 911 Center, law enforcement, and emergency responders.

The goal of this database is to promote an informed response within law enforcement when encountering an individual dealing with behavioral health issues. It aims to reduce unfavorable outcomes while connecting individuals to appropriate treatment or resources. A minor can be entered into the database by a parent or legal guardian. When the minor turns 18, they will automatically be removed from the platform unless they have requested to stay active. When disclosed, responders will be aware of any pre-existing mental health disorders before responding to a call.

To register an individual with the MARCUS Alert System who resides in the County of Augusta:

• Use the form at the bottom of this webpage
• Download the ACSO’s MARCUS Alert Database Entry Form (PDF) and either:
  • Email to acso@co.augusta.va.us
  • Drop off the printed document to office staff at 127 Lee Hwy, Verona, VA 24482.