Chesterfield County, Virginia's Weekly E-Newsletter
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Stay Connected with Chesterfield!
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Scroll to the bottom for more helpful links and resources to stay up to date on all things Chesterfield!
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County Response to COVID-19
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The
Chesterfield County Response to COVID-19 webpage
has links to many resources for citizens during this situation. If you are looking for information in any of the following topic areas, please click the links below to be directed to additional resources:
Other important information and updates on resources for Virginians can be found at:
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In this video
, Chesterfield County Matoaca District Supervisor and Vice-Chair
Kevin Carroll
shares some ways that first responders and public safety workers are keeping citizens and themselves safe during the COVID-19 outbreak.
(updated April 15, 2020)
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Chesterfield Online Tax Payment Plan Application Launched
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Those interested in applying for a tax payment plan may do so through the online application accessible via the
Treasurer’s webpage
or by calling the Treasurer’s Office at 804-748-1201.
Payment plans are available for both personal property and real estate tax payments, though the terms and conditions of the plans are determined on a case-by-case basis. Applicants should allow up to two business days for a representative from the Treasurer’s Office to respond to their online application submission.
As required by law, participating in a payment plan does not prevent additional interest and fees from accruing on a taxpayer’s account.
Tax statements were mailed by the Chesterfield Treasurer’s Office to applicable citizens and businesses beginning Friday, April 17. Tax balances may also be viewed through the
Treasurer Office’s online payment portal
using a tax account number, property address or map parcel number, all of which are listed on the tax statement.
Revenue generated by tax payments is used by Chesterfield County to fund a broad range of necessary and essential services, including health services, social services, public safety and more. Maintaining this revenue stream is especially vital during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the county is equipped to meet the evolving needs of community members.
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Update from the
Social Security Administration
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Action Needed for Social Security Beneficiaries with Dependents and Who Do Not File Tax Returns to Receive $500 Per Child Payment
Social Security retirement, survivors and disability insurance beneficiaries with dependent children and who did not file 2018 or 2019 taxes need to
act by Wednesday, April 22
, in order to receive additional Economic Income Payments for their eligible children.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients need to take this action by later this month; a specific date will be available soon.
By taking this proactive step to enter information on the IRS website about themselves and their qualifying children, Social Security retirement, survivors and disability insurance beneficiaries with dependent children will also receive the $500 per dependent child payment in addition to their $1,200 individual payment. If beneficiaries in this group do not provide their information to the IRS soon, their payment at this time will be $1,200. They would then be required to file a tax year 2020 tax return to obtain the additional $500 per eligible child.
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Chesterfield County Public Schools
has
launched Call CCPS
in an effort to continue to support Chesterfield County students and families with their needs related to academics, technology and social and emotional questions. The new call center will also help connect families with community resources they may need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Call CCPS will be open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Friday, June 12.
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Chesterfield County Public Schools families can call 804-639-8689 for support.
Translation support will be available immediately in Spanish, or within a short period of time in other languages through the school division’s language line support program.
Meals Service for Students Update:
Chesterfield County Public Schools has been approved to offer dinner and snack distribution during regularly scheduled meal service times at existing sites. This means that when you pick up meals for your children on Mondays and Wednesdays, each child will get six meals and two snacks. On Fridays, each child will get nine meals and three snacks.
Please note these important pieces of information related to the distribution of meals:
- Children do not have to be present to pick up meals. To pick up meals without a student present, please tell the staff member your student’s first and last names and age.
- No meal service is available on Tuesdays or Thursdays.
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COVID-19 Facts Vs. Rumors:
Drinking Water
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Can the COVID-19 virus spread through drinking water?
No. The website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that conventional water-treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those used to treat water in Chesterfield, should inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.
Is the public water in Chesterfield County safe to drink?
Yes. Chesterfield County Utilities Department follows current treatment regulations, water-quality standards, and design standards for drinking-water treatment systems. These standards address viruses and microbial pathogens inactivation and removal, including viruses such as COVID-19. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also recommends that individuals continue to drink and use tap water as usual. The World Health Organization has stated that the, “presence of the COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking-water supplies and based on current evidence, the risk to water supplies is low.” Additionally, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 is mainly thought to spread between people who are in close contact with one another and that COVID-19 is not spread through drinking water.
Do I need to boil my drinking water?
No. Boiling your drinking water is not required as a precaution against COVID-19.
Is tap water safe to use for hand washing?
Yes. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends the continued use of tap water. According to the Centers for Disease Control, washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds helps prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Do I need to buy bottled water or store drinking water?
No. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that individuals continue to drink and use tap water as usual. At this time, there are no indications that COVID-19 is detected in drinking-water sources.
Is my water routinely sampled and tested for COVID-19, or other viruses?
Established treatment techniques inactivate, kill or remove pathogens like viruses and bacteria. The treatment techniques involve routine sampling of directly measurable parameters, including disinfectant residual, temperature, pH, and turbidity. Routine and ongoing sampling is performed by Chesterfield County’s certified drinking-water laboratory. Laboratory testing continues to demonstrate that the treatment of water in Chesterfield County remains effective to address pathogens including viruses.
What should I do if I am concerned about my drinking water?
If you have any concerns about water quality in your home, contact Chesterfield County’s Water Quality Assurance Coordinator at 804-744-1360.
Additional Resources for Drinking Water-Related COVID-19 Information:
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Staying Mentally Healthy
During COVID-19
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Chesterfield County
Mental Health Support Services
(MHSS)
Director Kelly Fried joined Stephanie Clark on WRWK 98.9 FM The Work to talk about staying mentally healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
(updated April 21, 2020)
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Behavior Management with Young Children During COVID-19
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Additional Family and Parent Resources:
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Upcoming Virtual Meetings:
Planning Commission - Tuesday, April 21
Board of Supervisors - Wednesday, April 22
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Planning Commission Meeting - Tuesday, April 21, 6 p.m.
Due to the COVID-19 health emergency,
the Tuesday, April 21 Planning Commission Meeting will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams beginning at 6 p.m.
as an effort to decrease the spread of the virus. The changes are designed to accommodate public input while encouraging the public to continue self-quarantining and practicing social distancing, as recommended by health officials. The Public Meeting Room, located at 10001 Ironbridge Road, will be closed.
Citizens are encouraged to use the online comment form at
www.chesterfield.gov/cpccomments
to provide comment on public hearings regarding zoning cases. Those wishing to comment must submit a new online form for each public hearing they want to comment on. Only one comment per person per public hearing will be accepted. The online form can also be used to comment on unscheduled matters. In addition to the form, comments can also be received by email at
planning@chesterfield.gov
, or by calling 804-748-1050.
The Chesterfield Planning Commission Meeting will be livestreamed on WCCT Chesterfield Community Television, including Comcast channel 98 and Verizon channel 28, and on the
Chesterfield County YouTube Channel
.
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Board of Supervisors Meeting: Wednesday, April 22, 6 p.m.
The upcoming Chesterfield County
Board of Supervisors meeting on Wednesday, April 22 will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams
as an effort to decrease the spread of COVID-19. The changes are designed to accommodate public input while encouraging the public to continue self-quarantining and practicing social distancing, as recommended by health officials.
The
virtual meeting will begin at 6 p.m.
rather than 2 p.m., as previously scheduled, and
will be available for viewing on Comcast Channel 98, Verizon Channel 28, and live streamed on
www.chesterfield.gov
and the
County’s YouTube channel
.
Citizens who wish to make comments on the portion of the
Board’s agenda kn
own as "Citizen Comment Period on Unscheduled Matters" can submit comments via the
online form
; or call in comments and leave a message at 804-748-1808. A maximum of 15 citizens may leave comments for this meeting in accordance with the Board’s procedures on “
Citizen Comment Period on Unscheduled Matters
.” The portal will close at 5 p.m. on the day prior to the scheduled board meeting in order to prepare comments for the public and the
b
oard to see in a timely manner; prior to the Board meeting.
Citizens who wish to provide input on any and all of the public hearing items before the
b
oard are encouraged to submit comments via the
online form
. Citizens without internet access may call in comments and leave a message at 804-748-1808.
The public hearing
comment form
and the
meeting agenda
are posted to for citizens to view; citizens are encouraged to view public hearing agenda items and all attachments before submitting a comment.
There are no limits on the number of citizens that can comment on each public hearing item; however, each citizen may submit only one comment per public hearing topic. The allotted comment space is equivalent to the 3-minute allotted time of in-person board meetings. At the end of each day through Tuesday, April 21, the clerk will post all public hearing comments received that day for the public to view.
Public hearing comments will be received until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 22
in order to prepare comments for the public and the board to see in a timely manner; prior to the board meeting.
All comments received will be distributed to the board and posted online for the public to view in advance of the meeting and will be made a part of the board’s official public record within the
rules of procedure
adopted by the Board of Supervisors.
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John Tyler Community College
Adds Maymester Session
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To help students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the stay at home order catch up or get ahead in their college education,
John Tyler Community College
recently added a new class session to its academic schedule:
Maymester.
These online classes, which begin May 15 and run through June 7, are designed for students who need or want to earn additional college credits within a short period of time while saving money on tuition.
Courses offered as part of Maymester are also included, in slightly longer formats, during the college’s regular Summer 2020 semester, which begins May 26. All summer semester courses are being offered in one of two online formats: video-enhanced, which includes class time and meetings with instructors on specific dates and at specific times, or virtual. Students interesting in exploring Tyler’s full summer class schedule may visit
https://jtcc.edu/schedule/summer.php
and search by course length, subject, or class format.
In addition to its online class schedule for Maymester and summer, Tyler is also providing students with remote access to a variety of support services from advising and admissions to tutoring, career services and the library.
John Tyler Community College offers more than 75 majors that provide pathways to careers in high-demand fields; transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities; and industry credentials and licensures. The college, with campuses in Chester and Midlothian, online classes, and off-campus classrooms, served more than 14,000 students during the 2018-19 academic year. It also assisted more than 7,000 learners through its workforce development division, Community College Workforce Alliance, a partnership between Tyler and Reynolds community colleges.
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Chesterfield Education Foundation:
Coronavirus Emergency Response Fund
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The
Chesterfield Education Foundation's
Emergency Response Fund
is accepting donations for Chesterfield families that are in need in order to combat the impact made by COVID-19. Donations to this fund will be used to serve students and families in our community who are affected by COVID-19 as well as assist in other foundation priorities. These foundational priorities allow CEF the flexibility to respond accordingly to the community’s greatest needs during this time of uncertainty.
Current fundraisers include:
The Standing Together – Six Feet Apart t-shirt fundraiser is in support of the Chesterfield Food Bank and those experiencing food insecurity during the COVID-19 outbreak. The shirts, available in both adult and youth sizes,
may be purchased on Bonfire.com
in a variety of colors.
Read the full news release
.
Kelland has completed a charity bike ride to raise money for a different non-profit each of the past four summers. This year, Kelland will be riding for the
CEF Emergency Response Fund
. Kelland and a few others will be riding at least 40 miles on either the Virginia Capital Trail or the West Creek Parkway on Saturday, May 2, with a goal of raising at least $5,000.
Find out more information and donate.
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Chesterfield - Open for Business:
Domestic and Sexual Violence Resource Center
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These unprecedented times have forced innovative adaptations in how Chesterfield County continues to keep resources and services available for our citizens, businesses and employees. Those adaptations have taken multiple forms, from teleworking to completely new processes, and many employees are being redeployed in other areas to keep essential functions operating.
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Chesterfield Domestic and Sexual Violence Resource Center (DSVRC)
According to Lindsay Cassada, coordinator of the Chesterfield
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(DSVRC), times like these can cause extraordinary stress on interpersonal relationships, increasing incidences of intimate partner violence. However, social distancing guidelines posed an obstacle to connecting community members in need with the resources they need. Cassada and her team had to think creatively.
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Lindsay Cassada and Kim Mauck (October 2019 Photo)
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“As the need for social distancing became evident, the DSVRC quickly adapted its clinical provision of services from an in-person experience to a digital experience,” said Cassada. “This allowed clients to remain engaged in individual counseling and support groups with little-to-no disruption. New clients are now able to complete intake appointments by video or telephone, whichever the client prefers. The DSVRC’s clinical services will continue to be offered by video and telephone until it is safe to meet in person.”
Cassada says that, once the threat of COVID-19 fades, the DSVRC will be able to utilize these same tools to enhance assistance to those with mobility difficulties, such as individual handicaps and/or transportation difficulties.
The DSVRC encourages people living or working in Chesterfield County who are experiencing domestic and/or sexual violence to contact the Chesterfield DSVRC for free individual therapeutic counseling, support groups, protective order assistance, information and education and referrals to appropriate resources.
Senior Clinician Kim Mauck is available Monday through Friday to provide free, confidential counseling by video or telephone, whichever platform is most comfortable for clients. Additionally, virtual support groups are offered several times a week. Interested parties can contact Kim by telephone at 804-873-7887 or by email at
mauckk@chesterfield.gov
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Remember to Complete Your U.S. Census!
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While April 1 was Census Day, Chesterfield encourages residents who have not yet completed their
2020 U.S. Census
to do so as soon as possible.
Completing the Census is easy!
Households should have received official U.S. Census Bureau mail with detailed information on how to respond to the 2020 U.S. Census
online, by phone or by mail.
Pay close to attention to the unique number given to your household and be prepared to use it during your response.
The 2020 U.S. Census is mandatory and responses are based upon the members of a household as of April 1 (Census Day).
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To learn more about the 2020 U.S. Census, visit the official website at
2020census.gov
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Learn More About Your District
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