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Chesterfield Human Services Quarterly Newsletter
July 2026 |
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Dr. Worsley serves as the Deputy County Administrator for Human Services
 Summer is upon us and many great recognitions and events have taken place since we last connected.
The June 24 Board of Supervisors Work Session highlighted programs and services offered by Adult & Juvenile Services. The Commonwealth Attorney, Court Services Unit, Juvenile Justice Services, Community Corrections Services, and Treatment Court department directors shared how their work interconnects and strengthens our collective impact. Human Services continues to engage with the community and provide high-quality services throughout the county. We remain committed to listening to our residents and addressing the needs that matter most to the citizens we serve.
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In May, we celebrated Public Service Recognition Week, during which our Human Services team highlighted all departments and showcased how we are “Framed for Success.” We are truly grateful for the dedicated team we have working together, building connections, and finding solutions for those in need.
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As we begin a new era with a new County Administrator in August, we take this moment to extend our sincere appreciation to Dr. Casey for his 10 years of service and dedication to all the citizens of Chesterfield. Your leadership has made a lasting impact on how we deliver services and programs to our community. Through your guidance, you have helped us grow, improve, and better serve those who rely on us. We wish you the very best in your retirement and know that your values and mission will continue to live on in our daily work and in the lives of those we are privileged to serve. Thank you!
Read on for more articles from each of our Human Services Departments to learn about what’s happening now and what’s on the horizon. And please be sure to visit our Human Services webpage for complete, up-to-date listings of events and activities you and your family can enjoy throughout the year!
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Community Corrections
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Behavioral Health Integrated Services (BHIS) is a pretrial jail diversion program designed to identify individuals incarcerated at intercept 2 (pre-arraignment) who have a serious mental illness. This service is a collaborative effort between Community Corrections Services and Chesterfield Mental Health Support Services. Since launching on May 4, more than forty individuals have been found appropriate for the program.
Eligible individuals receive a mental health screening while incarcerated, followed by a release plan that is presented to the judge at arraignment, shortly thereafter, or during a bond hearing or bond appeal hearing. In some cases, the prosecution and defense may reach an agreement, resulting in a court order requesting release into BHIS.
Upon release, individuals referred to BHIS receive pretrial supervision from two officers, along with assessment and case management services from two Chesterfield Mental Health clinicians who are co‑located with the pretrial team. The goal is for court‑ordered conditions to remain focused and manageable, and for supportive services, provided voluntarily, to help individuals with serious mental illness successfully meet pretrial requirements, including appearing for court and avoiding new criminal offenses.
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Volunteer Recognition Celebration Honors 2026 Community Champions
Chesterfield County celebrated its dedicated volunteers on April 27 during the annual Volunteer Recognition Celebration, held this year at Southside Church. The event highlighted the tremendous commitment of volunteers throughout the community and honored the recipients of the 2026 Chesterfield Community Champions (CCC) awards.
The CCC awards recognize residents and organizations who make a meaningful, positive impact in Chesterfield County. This year’s honorees include:
• Teen: Bryce Worsley
• Adult: Julie Gregory
• Senior: Pete Adler
• Group: RVA The Village Be Kind
The Hon. Mark Miller welcomed attendees, and Dr. Casey delivered an inspirational message reflecting on the importance of volunteerism and the ways it has shaped his own life.
Chesterfield County extends heartfelt congratulations to all award recipients and sincere appreciation to every volunteer who continues to strengthen and uplift our community.
Shady Hill Block Party
The Shady Hill community hosted a block party on May 16, providing an afternoon of fun and fellowship for families living in the Shady Hill mobile home community. The event featured youth activities, lively music and delicious home-cooked food. Supervisor Jim Ingle, representing the Bermuda District, where the community is located, attended in support of family engagement and community connection.
Shady Hill is a predominantly Latino community with a resident-led association that promotes unity and advocates for residents. The association’s efforts are supported by several Chesterfield County departments, including Community Enhancement, Community Engagement and Resources and the Health Department, as well as nonprofit partners such as the Legal Aid Justice Center, New Virginia Majority and Project:HOMES.
Gustavo Espinosa, a graduate of My Chesterfield Academy and an organizer with the Legal Aid Justice Center, has played an instrumental role in advancing the community’s interests through partnerships with Chesterfield County. We are grateful to see our academy graduates applying their knowledge of local government to strengthen and uplift their communities.
Chesterfield County remains committed to supporting the Shady Hill community and its continued growth and success.
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Taste of India
Dalila Medrano, Multicultural Engagement Coordinator, attended the 2026 Taste of India event on June 7 at the Cultural Center of India in Chester. The event was a vibrant celebration of India's rich culture, featuring colorful traditions, delicious cuisine, music and dance.
Also in attendance was Dilshad Charania, a My Chesterfield Academy alumnus and fellow native of India. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate cultural diversity and connect with members of the community.
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2026 Juneteenth Celebration
Chesterfield County, in partnership with Chesterfield County Public Schools, hosted its annual Juneteenth Celebration Community Leaders Breakfast on June 12. This year’s theme, Celebrating Our Story – VA250: Rooted in Legacy, Rising in Purpose, welcomed more than 150 attendees.
As part of the program, Mr. Edward Baine, CEO and President of Dominion Energy, was honored as the 2026 Community Trailblazer.
The event also featured an engaging and informative panel discussion moderated by Dr. Tyren Frazier, member of the Juneteenth Community Leaders Planning Team. Panelists included Shakia Gullette Warren, Executive Director of the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia; Pastor Vernon Gordon of The Life Church RVA; and Greta Harris, President and CEO of Better Housing Coalition.
Guests enjoyed a warm breakfast, uplifting music, and an inspiring spirit of this year’s celebration.
Chesterfield County Walk of Fame
Established in 2023, the Chesterfield County Volunteer Walk of Fame recognizes individuals who have dedicated 25 years or more of service to a County department or to a nonprofit partner supporting County initiatives. This honor serves as a distinguished tribute to the commitment, compassion and sustained contributions of volunteers who have strengthened the community over decades.
On June 15, the County formally recognized 46 volunteers, each honored with a brick engraved with their name on the Walk of Fame. During the ceremony, the Honorable Mark Miller, Chair of the Board of Supervisors, and Dr. James Worsley, Deputy County Administrator for Human Services, delivered remarks expressing their gratitude and commending the exemplary service demonstrated by the honorees.
The program also included remarks from Angie Wilderman, a retired Chesterfield County employee recognized for her outstanding volunteer service with the Library. Ms. Wilderman spoke eloquently about her deep appreciation for volunteerism and the meaningful experiences it has brought to her life.
The Walk of Fame stands as a lasting testament to these individuals’ exceptional dedication and to the enduring impact of volunteer service across Chesterfield County.
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Juvenile Justice Services Welcomes New Director
Juvenile Justice Services is pleased to welcome Michelle Smith as its new Director. Michelle joins Chesterfield County with extensive experience in juvenile justice and public service, most recently serving in Loudoun County. Her leadership, expertise and commitment to serving youth and families will be valuable assets to our team and community. We are excited to have her on board and look forward to the positive impact she will make.
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Spring Break Activities Enrich Resident Experience
The Detention Home extends its sincere appreciation to the many partners, volunteers and staff members who helped make Spring Break a memorable and engaging experience for residents.
Jessica Gonzalez and her team from Chesterfield County Public Library, along with volunteer librarian Julie Grimes, ensured residents could exchange books during library visits and also facilitated a fun Easter egg activity and book club discussions. Youth Counselor Mr. Osbourne generously volunteered his time on a day off to teach line dancing lessons, while Bird Cox of Richmond Young Writers inspired residents through creative writing and self-expression activities.
Residents and staff also enjoyed a special visit coordinated by science teacher Dr. Ashton. Falconer Rodney Stotts and his hawk, Agnes, provided an engaging educational presentation about raptors and wildlife conservation. Participants had the unique opportunity to interact with Agnes and learn about Rodney’s inspiring journey. His book, Bird Brother: A Falconer’s Journey and the Healing Power of Wildlife, has been added to the school library for residents to enjoy.
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Chesterfield Mental Health Support Services proudly participated in the Sports Backers Markel Corporate Run on June 3, 2026. Our teams helped raise awareness about the programs and services we provide, while connecting with the community in a fun and active way. |
A parent whose twins were supported through Mental Health Support Services Part C Infants Program recently shared a heartfelt testimony about her experience. She expressed deep appreciation for the care, guidance, and early intervention services her family received, highlighting the meaningful impact our team had on her children’s development and well-being. |
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Career and Resources Fair
On June 2, 2026, the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services, in partnership with Chesterfield Economic Development, hosted a Career and Resource Fair. During the three-hour event, 84 job seekers attended and connected with 12 participating vendors offering information on career opportunities, workforce resources and educational pathways.
Feedback from employers was overwhelmingly positive, with all participating vendors anticipating outcomes directly attributable to the event. Additionally, every vendor expressed interest in participating in future fairs hosted by our agency.
Follow-up efforts will be conducted with both job seekers and vendors to collect outcome data, including interviews secured, employment placements and educational enrollments. This information will help demonstrate the community's need for and benefit from similar events in the future.
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Connected and Caring Team
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