Suicide Awareness Month holds a special place in my heart. During my senior year in college I was a community advisor within a dormitory at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. It was a great honor to work with the residents of the dormitory and get to know many of them over the course of the school year. Like most days, while on duty I conducted my final walkthrough around midnight before retiring for the night. This particular Friday night was no different, so I thought. There was little noise or movement in the hallways during my walkthrough and during the night I did not receive any calls for loud music or any other disturbances. Early the next morning, there was loud banging at my door and I remember that my resident director told me to come quickly. My resident director told me that there had been an incident, but he never could have prepared me for what I would see next. After arriving to the second floor of my dormitory, I learned that my friend had committed suicide in her room.

According to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 79% of all people who die by suicide are male, although more women than men attempt suicide, men are four times more likely to die by suicide. The CDC and NIMH found that suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10 - 14 and the third leading cause of death among people aged 15 - 24 in the United States. Interestingly, 46% of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition and research shows that 90% may have experienced symptoms of a mental health condition.

If you or someone you care about is having thoughts of suicide, reach out to Chesterfield Crisis Intervention 804-748-6356 or the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (by dialing 988).

Human Services had three members graduate from Chesterfield County's Emerging Senior Leader's Program in August.  The cohort spent nearly three years together for twelve in person sessions to develop leadership skills, learn details of County leadership, and connect with each other.  Representatives from Citizen Information and Resources, Mental Health, and Social Services were successful graduates!   

Photo of ESLP Graduate: from left Kevin Bruny, Director of Learning and Performance Center; Kelly Booth, Volunteer Coordinator CIR; Dr. Joe Casey, County Administrator 

Photo of ESLP Graduate: from left Kevin Bruny, Director of Learning and Performance Center; Danielle Sayre, Assistant Director Mental Health; Dr. Joe Casey, County Administrator 

Photo of ESLP Graduate: from left Kevin Bruny, Director of Learning and Performance Center; Danika Briggs, Assistant Director Social Services; Dr. Joe Casey, County Administrator 

First Responders Cultural Festival: Uniting for a Goal!

Join representatives from regional public safety agencies and multicultural communities as they come together on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, for the Community Cup 2022, a free, family-oriented, fun-filled day of soccer, community building, and music festival. The tournament will be held in Chesterfield County at River City Sportsplex, located at 13030 Genito Road, Midlothian, VA 23112.  The soccer tournament kicks off at 10:00 am with the Latin Music Festival following in the afternoon! 

The Community Cup is a regional partnership between Chesterfield and Henrico counties, the City of Richmond, and the Virginia State Police. In addition to the soccer tournament, activities will include food trucks, entertainment, kids zone, first responders’ vehicles and informational booths. Join us as we unite for a goal!

Summer Interns

Juvenile Justice Services was happy to host two German students as interns for four weeks. Henry Eichner and Katja Ulmen, students at the University of the German Armed Forces in Munich, and officers in the German Army, are studying the criminal justice system in the United States and reached out to Chesterfield Juvenile Detention Home to support their studies. During their time with us they observed detention home operations, shadowed our Home Incarceration Officers, spent time observing court in both Chesterfield and Colonial Heights, had a question and answer session with Judge Landry, shadowed the Court Service Unit, participated in CARP’s Youth Conservation Corps for a day, did a ride-along with Chesterfield County Police, observed forensic interviews at the Davis Child Advocacy Center, and toured Blue Ridge Detention in Charlottesville. They were gracious enough to participate in the detention home’s summer enrichment program where they gave an overview of German culture to all residents. Thank you to all our partners for making this a wonderful experience for these two students and thank you to Henry and Katja for enriching our department’s summer programs.

Group Picture from left to right: Marilyn Brown, Director of JJS; Henry Eichner and Katja Ulman; Chris Mallory, QA Coordinator; and Justin Crostic, Program Administrator

Award Recognition

The Detention Home was recently awarded a Virginia Association of Counties named award named "Reimagine Behavior" for the overhaul of its behavior management program which led to a 77% decrease in behavioral incidents and an 88% decrease in the use of physical restraints from 2017-2021. 

Picture Front Left: Justin Crostic, Program Administrator, accepting the detention home's VACO Award from the Board of Supervisors. 

Take the time to know a few facts for suicide prevention. 

• Citizen Information and Resources: Emily Ashley, director
• Community Corrections Services: JoAnn McLaurin-Carpenter, assistant director
• Drug Courts: Melanie Meadows, administrator 
• Juvenile Justice Services: Justin Crostic, program administrator for treatment programs & detention alternatives 
• Mental Health Support Services: Jaroslaw Muchowski, assistant director of administration and planning
• Social Services: Kiva Rogers, director