Mental Health Commission Discusses Major Changes to Structure, Funding of Public Behavioral Health System
The System Structure and Financing work group of the Joint Subcommittee Studying Mental Health Services in the Commonwealth in the 21st Century held a wide-ranging discussion at its meeting last week as it grappled with fundamental questions about how behavioral health services should be organized, funded, and delivered in Virginia. Joint Subcommittee Chairman Senator Creigh […]
JLARC Presents Virginia Retirement Service (VRS) Oversight and Outlook Report Ahead of Employer Contribution Rate Deliberations
On July 15, VACo staff attended the meeting of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) in which commission staff delivered their annual report on VRS oversight. JLARC is responsible for the ongoing oversight of VRS under the provisions of the Virginia Retirement System Oversight Act. JLARC provides a yearly report in July on […]
State EMS Advisory Board Considers Expansion of Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Statewide and Discusses Funding Opportunities
On August 2, VACo staff attended the quarterly meeting of the State EMS Advisory Board in Richmond. This Board is a group of 28 Governor’s appointees who serve as a formal liaison between the public and the Virginia Office of Emergency Services (OEMS), a division within the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). VACo’s representative on […]
VACo Premier Partner Spotlight Podcast – Omnia Partners
LINK TO THE OMNIA PARTNERS PODCAST Stephen Maxwell and Greg Melenchen of Omnia Partners join host Dean Lynch on the latest episode of VACo’s Premier Partner Podcast. Omnia Partners is the largest and most experienced purchasing organization for public and private sector procurement. Most of us in Virginia know US Communities and National IPA – […]
Virginia Counties Recognized for Model Programs
RICHMOND (July 30, 2019)—The Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) is pleased to announce the 26 recipients of the 2019 Achievement Awards, which recognize excellence in local government programs. VACo received 96 submissions. Winning entries focused on addressing high-priority community issues that challenge counties today. Winning Achievement Award Submissions Winning Program Descriptions “This is the 17th […]
VACo County Pulse Podcast | Another Option
Welcome to the County Pulse. In this episode – Frank Bossio (Former Culpeper County Administrator) and Sue Hansohn (Member of the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors) jump on the podcast to chat with Angela Inglett about workforce development and to explain why we should encourage young people to explore options apart from the college track. […]
Expanded Body-Worn Camera Workgroup Holds First Meeting
A reconstituted workgroup with an expanded scope will revisit the issue of body-worn cameras and their effect on Commonwealth’s Attorneys’ offices, in addition to tackling the question of how the cameras affect the public safety and judicial systems overall. Budget language enacted in 2019 directs the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security to convene […]
Virginia Board of Education Considers Updated Proposed Standards of Quality Revisions with Potential $1.2 Billion Fiscal Impact
On July 24 and 25, the Virginia Board of Education (VBOE) met to continue its discussion of priorities and goals for revisions to the Standards of Quality (SOQs), which set minimum requirements that must be met by all local school divisions for K-12 education in Virginia. The latest set of Department of Education (VDOE) staff […]
Visit Floyd County and Rakes Mill Pond
A wooden sign (right) with interpretive historical information about Rakes Mill Pond. The text on the sign reads, “The stone facing of the nearby mill dam was built early in the 19th century by one Jarman Rakes Miller. His operation was notable for a scheme of advertising that would credit a much later day. Rakes […]
Advisory Group on Jail Standards Moves into Second Phase
An advisory group convened to implement legislation enacted in 2019 directing the Board of Corrections to establish standards for medical, dental, pharmaceutical, and behavioral health care has developed in concept a recommended set of behavioral health standards to be considered by the Board. VACo reported on the establishment of the advisory group, which was convened […]
Discussions Continue About State Hospital Overcrowding
As reported in an earlier County Connections article, legislation enacted in 2019 requires the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to convene a workgroup to examine the issues surrounding overcrowding in Virginia’s state hospitals, which provide the “bed of last resort” in accordance with statute, and are operating close to capacity. As an indication of […]
Governor’s Advisory Commission on Opioids and Addiction Discusses Emerging Concerns, Promising Collaborations
The Governor’s Advisory Commission on Opioids and Addiction met on July 26 and received briefings on efforts to address hepatitis A and C in Virginia; work underway to coordinate an emerging coalition of advocates; and current use and future plans for a data analytics system to inform local and state responses to the addiction crisis. […]
Join Us for the 2019 VACo County Officials’ Summit
August 15 | Registration Form | Register Online | Book Your Group Rate By July 25 | Preliminary Agenda The 2019 VACo County Officials’ Summit is on the horizon and will soon bring you another dynamic political discussion. This year we turn our gaze to the state legislature and examine the policy goals of each party […]
VACo Communications Shop Podcast – Crisis Communications
Miriam Dickler joins Gage Harter to talk about crisis communications. Miriam is the former Director of Communications for the City of Charlottesville and the Chief Everything Officer at her firm – Rebel Tree, LLC. Listen to the Podcast
Visit Roanoke County and stay in a Pod Cabin or a Yurt
One of the great treasures of Virginia’s Blue Ridge is Explore Park, an 1,100-acre destination at Milepost 115 of the Blue Ridge Parkway and situated along the Roanoke River in Roanoke County. Many people enjoy mountain biking (even with kids), some enjoy a stroll along one of the trails, and still others visit for the […]
Joint Subcommittee Discusses Status of State Training Centers, Settlement Agreement with US Department of Justice
On July 8, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) Commissioner Hughes Melton briefed members of the Joint Subcommittee to Consult on the Plan to Close State Training Centers, outlining the state’s progress in complying with the 2012 Settlement Agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice and providing an update on the scheduled closure […]