According to the National Association of Social Workers, March is known as Social Work Month and the national theme is "The Time Is Right for Social Work." Locally, I join the Department of Social Services to also celebrate March as Family Services Month in order to broaden our reach and to celebrate those that provide services to our families throughout Chesterfield County. I believe "The Time Is Right for Social Work and Family Services." Those that provide social services/family services do so in a myriad of ways and for that we say, thank you. Our social workers and family services providers are everyday superheroes/supersheroes that work behind the scenes helping families connect to resources like finances, food, and housing. They are protectors of our most vulnerable populations such as children, older adults, and persons with disabilities. Social workers and family services providers are strategists that offer guidance to those suffering from depression, anxiety, or a substance-use disorder. These great protectors are also advocates for wellness or healthy food choices in communities that want positive change. The Human Services Division of Chesterfield County is proud to salute the hundreds of social workers/family services providers that make Chesterfield County a great place to live, learn, work, and thrive.
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Citizen Information and Resources
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Chesterfield County Government Citizens Academy is an interactive approach for residents to learn about their local government. The academy is free to participants and offers opportunities to meet local government leaders and offer feedback about county services and programs. Sessions will be offered at various locations around Chesterfield.
Register by March 17 for the Spring Session 2022:
Thursdays, March 24-May 19, 6-8 p.m.
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Would you like to get involved with Chesterfield Triad? Triad is a group comprised of Chesterfield County employees and community members committed to promoting safety and optimal living for older adults in Chesterfield. Contact VanAartrijkA@Chesterfield.Gov to learn more!
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Pre Trial and Community Corrections Services
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This month Chesterfield/Colonial Heights Pre Trial and Community Corrections Services (CCS) began using the AC-OK Screen for Co-Occurring Disorders (mental health, trauma related mental health issues and substance abuse) for clients referred to Pre Trial and Probation. The screening tool consists of 15 questions including seven mental health questions, two trauma questions and six substance abuse questions. The tool will assist the pre trial and probation officers in determining if clients should be referred for further assessment. The tool takes five minutes to administer and is free. Screening for the co-occurring disorders of mental health and substance abuse has been recognized as a best practice (SAMHSA, 2005).
The need for better treatment options for people with a co-occurring disorder received critical support when the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health in the United States reported that over 22% of adults with a serious mental illness and those who abuse alcohol or other drugs have a co-occurring problem of mental health and substance abuse. What difference can five minutes make to a person who is seeking help for a co-existing disorder? Determining that a person has a co-existing disorder when he or she first asks for help can save an average of four and a half years of that person’s life. (What a Difference 5 Minutes can Make- Andrew Cherry 2007)
SAMHSA. (2005). Substance abuse treatment for persons with a co-occurring disorder: A treatment improvement protocol (TIP) 42. Washington, D. C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, DHHS.
Andrew L. Cherry, DSW, ACSW Oklahoma Endowed Professor of Mental Health University of Oklahoma, School of Social Work, Tulsa Campus, OU OK-COSIG Project Evaluator (2007)
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Mental Health Support Services
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Diversity Awareness and Inclusion Team Hosts Audrey Ross
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The Mental Health Support Services (MHSS) Diversity Awareness and Inclusion Team (DAIT) is a committee with the purpose of providing diversity, equity, and inclusion information, training, and education to staff to foster a more welcoming, respectful, and inclusive workplace.
In honor of Black History Month, the DAIT Committee hosted a presentation by Ms. Audrey Ross, member of the African American History Committee of the Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia. Ms. Ross gave a very informative presentation about the education of students of color in Midlothian, from 1865-1965. As part of the presentation, Ms. Ross included photos and written artifacts collected from Chesterfield students of that time period. For more information on this topic please visit the Chesterfield Historical Society.
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March is Family Services Appreciation Month
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The month of March is Family Services Appreciation Month with the Virginia Department of Social Services. It’s a time when we pause and reflect on the challenging yet rewarding work our Family Services Specialists perform to ensure the safety, well-being and self-sufficiency of some of our most vulnerable citizens. The Family Services portfolio includes Child Protective Services, Family Preservation, Foster Care, Adoption, Employment Services, Adult Services and the Assessment and Resource Team.
Our Family Services Specialists interact with families during some of their most challenging moments. They complete assessments, provide case management services and work collaboratively with community partners to address the identified needs. It truly takes the collaboration of all involved to help families overcome the many barriers they face.
Being a Family Services Specialist is a tough job. There are many nights, weekends, and holidays, where staff are working on-call, responding to a protective services situation. Or there may be occasions when they are working with community partners to ensure an elderly customer who is facing eviction has a place to sleep. Regardless of the circumstance, our Family Services Specialists show up every day, believing in the power of resilience and instill hope and essential services to our community. We thank them for the many ways they help make our community a healthier, safer place to live.
If you have concerns about children or vulnerable adults in the community, you can speak with someone in Adult Protective Services or Child Protective Services using the contact information below:
Adult Abuse and Neglect
Child Abuse and Neglect
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Virginia DSS Commissioner Visits Chesterfield
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The Virginia Department of Social Services has a new Commissioner, Dr. Danny Avula. He is a familiar face and friend of Chesterfield County as a result of his work as director of the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts and his time as the state’s COVID-19 vaccination coordinator. We were honored to host Dr. Avula for his first agency visit with the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services on March 1, 2022.
Dr. Avula shared his journey of how his work in health equity and as a pediatrician helped him understand the many systemic challenges families face. He also served on the State Board of Social Services. These perspectives are essential as many DSS customers experience barriers related to mental health, substance use and poverty which have only exacerbated during the pandemic.
Dr. Avula was eager to learn more about the initiatives started in Chesterfield County related to our First Choice Employment Center, our creative, community-based approach to utilizing Medicaid Expansion funding, as well as the partnerships between DSS and Chesterfield Public Schools related to mandated reporting and serving students experiencing homelessness.
DSS was highlighted for its success in building a collaborative relationships with its administrative Board of Social Services and the Board of Supervisors.
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Pictured left to right – Dianne Smith, Social Services Board Chairperson; Karen Reilly-Jones, Assistant Director for C-CHDSS; Dr. Alexander Samuel, Director of Virginia Department of Health – Chesterfield District; Danika Briggs, Assistant Director for C-CHDSS; Kiva Rogers, C-CHDSS Director; Dr. James Worsley, Chesterfield County Deputy County Administrator; Dr. Danny Avula, Virginia Department of Social Services Commissioner; Eugene Walton, C-CHDSS Assistant Director
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Being Kind is Good for You!
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Studies have shown that while kindness has a positive impact on the recipient, it also benefits the giver. "Performing simple acts of kindness can do everything from improve your mental health to relieve physical pain, according to a body of scientific research. What’s more, our kind deeds influence many more people than we anticipate. One Californian study showed being kind to one person often benefits dozens more, making ‘heal the world’ more than just a cliche." Read more about the health benefits of kindness in Healthy Magazine.
Chesterfield County wants to celebrate the big and small kindnesses in our community. Whether it’s paying it forward in the coffee shop line, or having kindness shown from a friend or stranger, stories of #CfieldKindness can spread far and wide. This initiative is focused on celebrating all of the thoughtful things citizens are already doing for each other while also encouraging you to go out and do something kind for a friend, family member, neighbor, co-worker or even someone you have never met before. Share your kindness story with us!
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