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Chesterfield Human Services Quarterly Newsletter
February 2025 |
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Dr. Worsley serves as the Deputy County Administrator for Human Services. Quarterly, important topics will be highlighted that are relevant to the work being done in the Human Services Division.
 Welcome to 2025 - a brand-new year full of exciting opportunities for engagement and connection with citizens and your community.
2024 provided many moments to connect and provide service to those in need and in 2025 we will build on those experiences to better fulfill the needs and wants of our community.
There are many inspiring stories to be shared and many that will remain untold. Sometimes it wasn’t easy, but together as a team we worked to make some of the worst days better.
Black History Month will be observed in February and there are many planned events along with other exciting opportunities for the public to engage and connect.
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While our newsletter has moved to a quarterly publication to capture many important events that occur during the year – you can always check out our Human Services page on the website for complete listings of all events that you can engage in and enjoy. We have tried to highlight only a few of the many vital areas that need support and recognition during the year.
Wishing you the best in 2025!
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Community Engagement and Resources
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Chesterfield Hosts Model County Government
Each year, Chesterfield County Public Schools and the Community Engagement and Resources Office host the Model County Government (MCG) program. High school government students have the opportunity to shadow leaders to experience a firsthand look at local government.
Model County Government Day was held Nov. 12-13, 2024:
- 66 students from 11 high schools in Chesterfield County participated
- 32 Chesterfield County departments were shadowed by the students
- County leaders and teacher sponsors attended
In addition, Lynne Bland, the Curriculum Specialist for Secondary History and Social Science was recognized for her retirement from Chesterfield County Public Schools.
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2025 Spring Government Citizens Academy (GCA)
The Government Citizens Academy (GCA) allows Chesterfield residents to learn about their local government through interactive sessions and optional tours of facilities. Participants receive a comprehensive look at the how and the why of local government programs. GCA sessions offer an opportunity for participants to learn directly from department leaders, including members from the Board of Supervisors, as well as offer feedback.
GCA is intended for a diverse audience, so it's for you, regardless if you are a curious high school student, a new business owner, a prospective homeowner looking to move into the community, a resident looking for volunteer opportunities, a resident of the community for 30 years, or any other member of the Chesterfield community.
Registration is open for the spring GCA session which will be held on Thursdays, 6-9 p.m. March 20-May 22 at various locations in Chesterfield County. Anyone interested in participating in GCA must fill out and submit an application.
Caregiver Café
Chesterfield Council on Aging Caregiver Committee hosted a Caregiver Café, Wednesday, November 20, 2024, 4-6 p.m., at Stonebridge Recreation Center. Family caregivers were invited to get expert one-on-one advice on Medication Management, Life Planning and Legal Issues, Dementia Basics, Caregiver Wellness and Counseling & Case Management. There were 18 vendors that participated including Libraries, Parks and Recreation, Home Health Agency, Alzheimer’s Association, Senior Navigator as well as other organizations for family caregivers. This conversation-style program provides the care-givers an opportunity to address questions and topics impacting their family. For example, there was an elder attorney on-site to answer legal and life planning questions as a family caregiver. There were 35 family caregivers that participated in this event.
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Community Corrections Services (CCS) Supports Recovery
September was recovery month and throughout the month CCS hosted activities for clients.
Melody Nickerson, CCS Peer Recovery Specialist (pictured), provides CCS clients recovery resources and shares information about events happening in Chesterfield.
Melody is the first Recovery Specialist employed by CCS. She provides individual and group sessions for CCS clients.
Melody has been in recovery for 9 years. She believes, “Recovery is a journey that leads people out of the dark into the light. For me, recovery has been about willingness to change so that I can truly live a life worth living. Recovery gives me the strength to help others fight against a disease that continues to destroy lives and the only thing more powerful than addiction, is to recover.”
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Jenelle Beverly, Child Advocacy Center, Administrator receives the Janie Dockery Memorial Award
The Janie Dockery Award is awarded for dedication to excellence by Children’s Advocacy Centers of Virginia (CACVA). In everything Jenelle does, she ensures success of the CAC model by reminding CAC staff and Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) partner agencies that success comes only with collaboration around the child’s needs. Jenelle will not ask anyone to do anything she wouldn’t do herself, including setting boundaries, taking time off, making sure staff take a mental health break if needed, or the dreaded telling people "no" because the CAC is at capacity. She learned that in this CAC/MDT circle of life, taking care of everyone is not limited to staff, colleagues, caregivers, child victims etc., we must take care of ourselves and CAC needs first. Jenelle is innovative in her approach and attempts to ensure our MDT members have all the tools necessary to perform their tasks. Many times, she has used her networking skills to assist with any needs that the Center, Team or child may need. In addition, Jenelle was an integral part in assisting CACVA with the CAC budget amendment request before the General Assembly and ensured her CAC would be there to support the cause we all share.
About the Award: Janie Lawson Dockery passed unexpectedly on January 31, 2022 in Big Stone Gap, leaving a large hole for vulnerable children in Southern VA. She worked for Mountain Empire Older Citizens for eighteen years as the Children’s Services Director for the Southwest Virginia Children’s Advocacy Center and Healthy Families Program. She was described as a fierce and tireless advocate for children and families who served with humility. Janie was an out-spoken advocate for children and a steward of the CAC movement in Virginia.
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Exciting News from the Child Advocacy Center
Sgt. Chris Lee and Sgt. Mary Gary-Ford, Chesterfield County Police Officers, presented at the 15th Annual Crimes Against Children Statewide Conference entitled: “Don’t Just Survive…..PREVAIL!” Empowering Survivors to Be Heroes in Their Own Pursuit of Justice.
The presentation focused on how supportive investigative and advocacy teams can often empower survivors to be the main contributor in their abuser’s prosecution. It explores how this can take many forms and how these contributions are invaluable and irreplaceable and can lead to founded CPS dispositions; criminal convictions; and sex offender registration. Case studies provided examples of how to achieve this.
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988 is the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline number available to call or text when needing help for a behavioral health issue. 988 staff will talk with individuals, assess their level of need, and connect them to either emergency or community resources. |
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Connected and Caring Team
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