Community Notice from
Dranesville Supervisor John Foust
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Dear Neighbor,
Yesterday the Board of Supervisors met for a regularly scheduled Board Meeting. I have included more information about the meeting and what was discussed below.
In addition, this email includes information about census visits to unreported homes, a link to Dranesville District School Board Representative Elaine Tholen's recent newsletter, information about a new statewide grant program for small businesses, and more.
Please share this email with your friends and neighbors and do not hesitate to contact my office if we can be of assistance; email
Dranesville@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-356-0551.
Sincerely,
John
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On Tuesday, the Board met for the last time ahead of the August recess. Regular meetings will resume in September. Below are some highlights from the meeting.
Firearms on County Property
This year, the General Assembly gave localities the authority to ban firearms on County property with public input. This is something the Board has supported for years. Now having the authority to do so, yesterday, the Board authorized a public hearing to consider amendments to the Fairfax County Code chapter which governs weapons. The proposed amendments would prohibit the possession, carrying, and transportation of firearms, ammunition, or components or combination thereof in County buildings, parks, recreation and
community centers, and at permitted events and areas adjacent to permitted events. The public hearing is scheduled for September 15 at 4:30 p.m.
Affordable Housing Preservation Task Force
As the County grows, older multifamily rental and mobile home communities that provide affordable housing for thousands of households are threatened by demolition and redevelopment. These trends are slowly eroding the County’s affordable housing stock and forcing families and individuals out of the communities where they work.
Supervisor John Foust, Chairman of the Board’s Housing Committee, along with Chairman Jeff McKay and Supervisor Dalia Palchik, introduced a motion to establish a task force for the purpose of developing a comprehensive plan for the preservation of affordable housing, which the Board approved at its meeting yesterday. Preservation can take many forms, such as property renovation and unit replacement.
Members of the task force will include a diverse group of industry professionals. The task force will be tasked with providing recommendations that include the types of preservation that can occur, types of properties at risk, a guide to what properties and neighborhoods should be prioritized, and preservation strategies, including recommended polices and tools. Read more
here.
Fairfax Green Initiatives
The Board continued to build on its commitment to protecting the environment by approving several actions for County staff. These actions include researching the creation of a compost program for the Fairfax County community, accelerating purchases of County electric vehicles, investigating whether the County can provide incentives for consumer electric vehicle purchases or similar investments and the feasibility of creating a Green Bank.
Public Safety Update
At its last Public Safety Committee meeting, the Board announced the launch of a website on police reform. The website will serve as a central location for all existing and future data and be a place for community members to share suggestions on police reform. View the website
here.
Read the full Board package
here. The recording of the meeting will be available to view on demand
here.
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2020 Census Takers Begin Visiting Unreported Homes
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Fairfax County households that have not yet filled out their 2020 Census may be visited by census takers over the next few weeks as the U.S. Census Bureau begins enumeration activities nationwide. The County has already received responses from more than 76% of its residents but hopes to be near a 100% response rate before the final Census deadline of October 31. The enumerators will be vising households that have not yet responded to help collect Census information in a fast, safe, and confidential way. Residents in low-response areas may also receive emails asking them to complete the 2020 Census.
Census takers can be easily identified by a government ID badge that includes a photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date. If you are uncertain and would like to confirm a census taker’s identity, you can call the Census Bureau at 844-330-2020 for more information.
The census taker will ask you to complete your Census and will make sure your information is provided to the Census Bureau. While you are required by law to participate, the Census Bureau is also required by law to protect your answers. Your responses are used only to produce statistics. The Census Bureau does not disclose any personal information. A respondent’s personal information will never be shared with immigration enforcement agencies, like ICE; law enforcement agencies, like the FBI or police; or be used to determine eligibility for government benefits. The results from any census or survey are reported in statistical format only.
If you respond online or by phone today, a census taker is less likely to have to visit your home to collect your response. Households can still complete the 2020 Census
online, by phone at 844-330-2020 (TTY 711), or by completing the paper survey received in the mail.
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Update from Elaine Tholen,
Dranesville District School Board Representative
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Last week, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) announced that the 2020-21 school year will begin virtually for all students on September 8.
Many individuals have questions and concerns related to this decision. Dranesville District School Board Representative Elaine Tholen addressed this decision and provided additional information and updates in her recent newsletter, available online
here.
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Rebuild VA Grant Fund for Small Businesses
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The Rebuild VA Grant Fund is a program to help small businesses and non-profits whose normal operations were disrupted by COVID-19, including restaurants, brick and mortar retail, exercise and fitness facilities, personal care and personal grooming services, entertainment and public amusement establishments, and campgrounds.
Businesses and non-profits that are approved for a Rebuild VA grant may receive up to three times their average monthly eligible expenses up to a maximum of $10,000. The statewide program is capitalized with $70 million dollars, allowing assistance for approximately 7,000 applicants. The application will be available starting August 10, 2020.
Three webinars will be held to go over the eligibility requirements and documentation needed to apply when the application opens.
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All Inova hospitals and care sites are open and serving patients. The most up to date information on Inova’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including what to do if you feel sick, how to be tested if appropriate, visitor information, and other information to plan for your care can be found at
inova.org/covid19.
It is safe to visit an Inova hospital, emergency room, or other care site. For more information on what Inova is doing to ensure the safety of our care sites, visit the
Safe@Inova website.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, visit the ER or call 911 immediately. Delaying treatment can be a dangerous decision, especially when it comes to signs of a heart attack or stroke.
Find your nearest Inova ER
here.
Is COVID-19 testing available through Inova?
Yes, testing is available across Inova Health System based on clinical criteria outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Virginia Department of Health. Before visiting any Inova care site for testing, contact your regular physician for evaluation. For assistance with recommendations, to arrange for a physician appointment, or if you do not have a primary care physician, call 1-855-IMG-DOCS.
Inova has established Respiratory Illness Clinics to evaluate all patients with respiratory illness symptoms. These clinics are also able to collect samples via physician ordered and coordinated vehicle-side appointments for COVID-19 testing. All Inova Hospital and HealthPlex emergency rooms are a resource for those individuals who are experiencing clinical symptoms of COVID-19 that include cough, fever, and shortness of breath.
For more information on Inova Respiratory Illness Clinics and COVID-19 testing sites, visit the Inova
website.
COVID-19 Services for Medicaid/Uninsured Patients – InovaCares Clinics for Families
All members of Northern Virginia’s culturally diverse communities are welcome at the Inova Cares Clinic for Families (ICCF). ICCF provides primary care services for patients who qualify for Medicaid, FAMIS or Inova’s Financial Assistance Program, and the uninsured. Inova assists patients who qualify for Medicaid with the enrollment application process. Financial assistance/charity care options will be explored for patients who do not qualify for Medicaid
ICCF provides free COVID-19 telemedicine screening for all patients, with a particular focus on the low-income uninsured. For more information, visit the Inova Cares Clinics for Families
webpage.
Blood Donation and Convalescent Plasma
It is safe to donate blood and donations are needed. Precautions are being taken at all times to maintain a clean and safe environment for donors. For more information on how to make an appointment, visit
https://www.inovablood.org/.
If you had a positive COVID-19 test and you have been symptom-free for 14 days, you may be able to be a convalescent plasma donor. Your plasma should be rich in immunoglobulins that may be helpful to patients who are actively fighting a COVID-19 infection. To learn more about convalescent Plasma, visit
https://www.inovablood.org/covid19plasma/.
Other Inova Resources and Information:
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Cox Communications Update
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Cox Communications has been working to identify ways it can support local communities. With distance learning being a critical component in education for the foreseeable future, Cox aims to ensure every student has access to the internet without cost being a barrier.
Cox recently announced that new customers that qualify will receive Connect2Compete, the company's low-cost internet, for two months at no cost. New customers must sign up between July 21 and September 30 for free service, which also includes free technical support.
In addition, Cox announced a new digital learning platform available to Connect2Compete customers to keep kids engaged in academics this summer.
MyFuture is The Boys & Girls Club of America's digital platform that empowers children and teens to learn new skills, share accomplishments, and earn recognition and rewards via gamification in a safe and fun online environment. Customers can easily access this tool in Cox's
Digital Academy, an online learning platform full of computer literacy tips, educational videos, tutorials, and interactive games.
To help parents help their children learn from home, Cox has provided several tips and resources available on the company's content hub Converge. Click
here to learn more.
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NV Rides in Need of Volunteers
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NV Rides, a collaborative of community-based volunteer driver programs, needs volunteers to drive vulnerable seniors. All drivers and riders are asked to wear masks and observe physical distancing protocols.
Four volunteer driver information sessions will be offered in August. The Zoom sessions are brief, informative, and easy to attend (Zoom link included with RSVP).
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Fairfax County is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation. Residents are strongly encouraged to utilize the resources listed below:
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