Dr. Worsley's Wise Words
Welcome to 2022, a year of new beginnings and countless opportunities. The Human Services Division will continue to serve the residents of Chesterfield County with professionalism and compassion. Chesterfield County's website has been updated and you can find more information about each human services department there.
 
This is the time of year that many people make new year resolutions and set goals for the next 12 months. This year my family and I decided to create vision boards which is a little different than resolutions. Our 2022 vision boards were created by using visuals and illustrations to represent the goals that we set as individuals. For example, my vision board was created using pictures and magazine clippings that represents a few broad categories such as spirituality, family, health & wellness, wealth management, professional development, leisure, and volunteerism. I recommend that you place your vision board in a location where you will see it often, hence it's a visual reminder to stay focused on your goal(s). What does your vision board look like in 2022?
Citizen Information and Resources
Aging and Disability Services Delivers Santa Stockings
The Santa Stocking Program is a collaborative effort supported by local business Unsprung Upholstery Co. that donated materials to the 4-H youth group that sewed large stockings and makes holiday cards that were distributed with the stockings. With the partnership of our telephone reassurance volunteer team and Chesterfield County’s Council on Aging, stockings were delivered to 32 older adults from the Telephone Reassurance Program and clients of Senior Home Services. Stockings were hand-delivered by volunteers and included snacks, toiletries, clothing items, and more. And, with the support of Family Lifeline, we were able to deliver 32 Baskets of Cheer to accompany the stockings as well. After another year of pandemic limitations, this was a great opportunity to connect with our valued seniors in the community face-to-face!
Family Resources Now Available Online
Juvenile Justice Services
Juvenile Justice Services would like to congratulate Levin Smith, affectionately known to everyone as Smitty, on recently receiving his Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Norfolk State University. Levin is currently the Detention Home’s Home Incarceration Program Supervisor and has worked for the Detention Home in various roles since 2003. Going back to school as an adult is never an easy road, especially while working a full-time position. With focus, hard work, and determination, Levin was able to realize his dream of finishing his degree. Congratulations Smitty!!!
Mental Health Support Services
Mental Health Support Services History Now on Display
In honor of Mental Health Support Services' (MHSS) 50th anniversary, storyboards were created to show the history of MHSS services in Chesterfield County. These storyboards are now on display at Central Library. Visit Central Library this month to learn about the history of mental health services in Chesterfield!
Pre Trial and Community Corrections Services
CCS Staff Attends Annual Training Conference
Chesterfield/Colonial Heights Pre Trial and Community Corrections Services (CCS) staff are now able to offer Narcan training and distribution. NARCAN® NASAL SPRAY is the first nasal formulation of Naloxone to be FDA approvided for the treatment of a known or suspected opiod overdose. A suspected opioid overdose emergency will show signs of breathing problems and severe sleepiness or not being able to respond. It is designed for use in the community, NARCAN ® NASAL SPRAY is needle-free and ready to use. For more information please call 804-318-8220
Social Services
Community Engagement Pilot
Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services, has collaborated with various community partners to provide on-site support to answer questions regarding various Benefit Programs (SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, Child Care) and to provide Employment Services resources. After suspending community site presence during the pandemic, we are excited to share a pilot partnership with Waymakers Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide immigrant families a trusted space to access emergency relief assistance and community resources. Beginning December 6, 2021, a bilingual social services representative is available on-site 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Monday, January 3, and Monday January 24, by appointment only to assist customers with questions regarding Benefit Programs. To make an appointment, please call Waymakers at (804) 920-0179.

Social Services is grateful for Waymakers Foundation and its founder, Natasha Lemus. Lemus best described the impact of this collaborative efforts - “with this partnership we are closer to fulfilling our mission to provide immigrant families the foundation of a healthy lifestyle, within a trusted space for community services to the immigrant community. Having a social worker twice a month to process in-person and one-on-one applications as well as providing individual support for families in distress, allows us to address other socio economical needs from the immigrant community residing in Chesterfield County.”

Helpful information for each organization may be found below:
Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Social Services,
9501 Lucy Corr Circle
Chesterfield, Virginia 23832
DSSDocs@chesterfield.gov *include case number in subject line
https://www.chesterfield.gov/569/Social-Services
(804) 748-1100
Press 1 – SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
Press 2 – Medical Assistance (Medicaid)
Press 3 – EBT card replacement
Press 4 – Child Protective Services
Press 5 – Adult Protective Services
 
Waymakers (DSS representative available by appointment only)
7106 Hull Street Road
Chesterfield, Virginia 23235
https://waymakers-foundation.org/
Call (804) 920-0179 to schedule an appointment with a social services representative
Wellness Corner
Don't Let New Year Resolutions Stress You Out!
Once New Year's Day arrives there is suddenly pressure from all directions to set a resolution for the year and stick with it. However, studies have shown that less than 10% of people who set resolutions keep them the entire year, which ultimately leads to feelings of failure.

So skip the stress this year! Instead of setting one big resolution for all of 2022, try setting smaller, more specific goals each week. As you are successful your confidence will increase and each week will bring you closer and closer to your ultimate goal.
Nonprofit Notes
The Children's Museum is currently offering scholarship memberships (good for one year from issue) for up to 345 Chesterfield County families whose annual household income is at or below $35,000.

If you or someone you know is interested, please complete the application in English or Spanish.
For More Information