Life After High School Transition Conference & Resource Fair at PVCC

Did you know that March is Development Disabilities Awareness Month? This yearly campaign raises awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all facets of life, as well as the barriers people with disabilities still face in connecting to the communities in which they live. We are fortunate to have many great resources in our community, including the annual Life After High School Transition Conference & Resource Fair taking place tomorrow, Saturday, March 25. 

Hosted by Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC), Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS), and the Piedmont Regional Education Program (PREP), the Life After High School event aims to prepare developmentally disabled students and their families for the major life changes that follow high school graduation. The exhibit area will open at 8:30 AM, with learning sessions beginning promptly at 9 AM and continuing until 1 PM. Sessions will be offered for youth, families, and professionals. All are welcome! If possible, please RSVP so there are enough box lunches for everyone. 

To register in advance, visit their Eventbrite website. To learn more about the event, visit the Facebook event page. 

Three Years of BRHD COVID-19 Response

This month marks three years since the first case of COVID-19 was identified in the Blue Ridge Health District. Since that time, thousands of local healthcare workers and countless community partners and organizations have worked to prevent further spread of the disease through contact tracing, vaccinations, testing, and education.



While COVID-19 is still present in our community and has impacted many of our lives, we are thankful for the available prevention measures (like vaccines), staff, and community members who remain committed to preventing further spread throughout our District. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and a study about the long term effects of COVID-19 below. 

April COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Schedule

Have you received the latest bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine? It’s not too late to protect yourself as we head into spring and summer months. BRHD will continue to offer monthly COVID-19 vaccine clinics at every local health department, all by appointment only. Pictured below is the schedule for the months of April through June 2023. Call your local health department or visit our website for further information.

VCU School of Nursing’s RECOVER Project

What is the RECOVER project? It is a ground-breaking and historic effort to understand the long-term health effects of viral illnesses like COVID-19 in young people. It will help scientists and clinicians identify the best ways to help young people who experience long-term effects of COVID-19 and similar illnesses (e.g., fatigue, anxiety, depression, learning delays, exercise intolerance, and more). The study does not involve any experimental treatments and all young people aged 0-25 and their families are eligible to participate, regardless of whether they’ve had COVID-19 or other viral illnesses.

What is the benefit to families?  

1. Participants will be compensated for their time in answering surveys and having "check-ups" over the next few years; 
2. Families will get copies of the "check-up" results for their records and to share with their healthcare providers; 
3. If families need connections to healthcare providers, VCU can get them started in navigating the healthcare system; 
4. The children/ young adults will be part of history-- helping us understand how to leave COVID-19 behind! 

Want to learn more? Visit the RECOVER Project website or reach out directly to Lindsey, Research Nurse Coordinator: call/text 804-664-6487 or email recoverkidsva@vcu.edu.