Joint Subcommittee to Study Mental Health Services in Virginia in the 21st Century Kicks Off Work for 2018
The Joint Subcommittee to Study Mental Health Services in the Commonwealth in the 21st Century met on May 7 to review progress in improving the state’s mental health system and to plan its course for the year ahead. Secretary of Health and Human Resources Dr. Daniel Carey and Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services […]
Federal Legislation Makes Major Changes to Funding for Foster Care
Significant changes to federal funding for foster care were enacted in February with passage of the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), which was incorporated into the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018. FFPSA is the product of several years of discussion in Congress about ways to improve access to services to prevent children from being […]
Financial Facts
GASB issued an Invitation to Comment to seek feedback to assist in developing a revenue and expense recognition model for state and local governments. Two potential models are discussed in the Invitation. The first is an exchange/nonexchange model and the second is a performance obligation/no performance obligation model. This Invitation to Comment lays out potential […]
Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission Adopts Workplan for 2018
The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) met on May 14 to approve its plan of studies and schedule of reports for 2018. As approved by its Study Topic Selection Subcommittee last fall, JLARC plans to complete and report on four major studies this year: Review of the Department of Elections. JLARC will review […]
Four VACo Regional Meetings Scheduled
VACo is excited to visit Westmoreland County and Dinwiddie County in May and Albemarle County and Hanover County in June for Regional Meetings, which are held annually to give local elected officials, county administrators, and legislators an opportunity to discuss challenges and offer solutions. Region 2 | May 22 | Westmoreland County | Agenda Regions […]
VACo’s 1207 to the 95 Blog – The Opioid Crisis Part 3: An Overview of Opioid Addiction Treatment
We continue our series on the national opioid epidemic by exploring treatment options for those seeking help with addiction. We’ll focus on a treatment option currently receiving a great deal of attention, and provide resources as to how this option works. Today’s post is a little longer than our previous work, so let’s jump right […]
2018 Presidential Initiative: Healthy Virginia Counties
As many of my VACo colleagues know, I’m passionate about health. Serving as a volunteer EMT for many years in King and Queen County has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I’ve helped set EMS policy at the state level, and worked closely with our regional hospital to be sure that […]
State Budget Action Needed Now
As the impasse over the state budget approaches the end of its second month, work on the caboose and biennium budgets is expected to resume on May 14, when the Senate is scheduled to return to Richmond to consider the revised budget proposals passed by the House on April 17. VACo Members – Please contact […]
William B. Kyger
Rockingham County Supervisor Q1. In addition to serving on the Board of Supervisors, you are a longtime educator, teaching government in Rockingham County schools. How did your classroom experience prepare you for elected office? Billy Kyger: Being a United States Government teacher allowed me the opportunity to have a real good idea of how, in […]
Visit Botetourt County and Nininger’s Mill
Nininger’s Mill, also known as Tinker Mill, is a historic grist mill located near Daleville, Botetourt County, Virginia. The mill was built about 1847, and is a three-story, brick structure with a gable roof. Wood-frame additions added in the 20th century, are found on the north and east walls. Also on the property is a […]
Historic House Select Committee Inaugural Meeting
After the Parkland school shooting in March, Speaker Kirk Cox announced the creation of the House Select Committee on School Safety, the first to be established in the Virginia House of Delegates in the past 150 years. The Committee will review current policies on school security and propose recommendations for the 2019 session. At the […]
Textbooks, Teacher Shortage, and Tapping into Innovation: Post-Session Board of Education Updates
Since the 2018 General Assembly Session, the Board of Education has held two business meetings, discussing passed legislation, listening to state and national education issues, and acting on multiple items. Of particular interest to counties is the Board’s plans to address the teacher shortage. Representatives from the Education Commission of the States (ECS) presented state […]
VACo to participate in two Regional Meetings in May
VACo is excited to visit Westmoreland County and Dinwiddie County in May for Regional Meetings, which are held annually to give local elected officials, county administrators, and legislators an opportunity to discuss challenges and offer solutions. Region 2 | May 22 | Westmoreland County | Agenda Regions 1 & 4 | May 30 | Dinwiddie […]
Henrico dedicates Elvin Cosby Way to honor employee beginning 73rd year of service
On April 23, Henrico County honored Elvin R. Cosby, its longest-serving employee, with a surprise dedication of Elvin Cosby Way, a road on the Henrico County Government Center campus. Cosby joined the Department of Public Works on April 23, 1946 — exactly 72 years ago. Now 90, he serves as a maintenance supervisor and routinely […]
Capitol Contact ALERT – State Budget Action Needed Now
As the impasse over the state budget approaches the end of its second month, work on the caboose and biennium budgets is expected to resume on May 14, when the Senate is scheduled to return to Richmond to consider the revised budget proposals passed by the House on April 17. ACTION REQUIRED – Please contact […]
VACo’s 1207 to the 95 Blog – The Opioid Crisis Part 2: What About Naloxone?
Welcome back to our series on opioid addiction in America. Our last post shared resources on the origins, history, and current outlook of opioid abuse and addiction. Today we’ll discuss naloxone, and examine the research regarding increased access to this drug. What Is Naloxone? Naloxone is medication that can stop the deadly course of an […]