CORRECTION BRHD Monthly Newsletter: July 2025

Virginia Department of Health sent this bulletin at 07/03/2025 01:49 PM EDT

July 3, 2025

More Back to School Vaccine Clinics

Illustration of a sticky note. Text reads: Back to School Immunization Clinics.

**CORRECTION: Please note the following dates are for August, not July.**

We’re putting more Back to School Immunization Clinics on the books! In addition to those happening at each of our health departments, we’ll also be hosting several walk-in clinics at local high schools. All rising 7th & 12th graders of Albemarle County & Charlottesville City are welcome!

Western Albemarle High School (5941 Rockfish Gap Tnpk., Crozet): Thursday, August 7 from 8:45 to 11 AM inside the Small Gym

Albemarle High School (2775 Hydraulic Rd., Charlottesville): Thursday, August 7 from 1:30 to 4 PM inside the Small Gym

Monticello High School (1400 Independence Wy., Charlottesville): Friday, August 8 from 8:45 to 11 AM inside the Small Gym

Charlottesville High School (1400 Melbourne Rd., Charlottesville): Friday, August 8 from 1:30 to 4 PM inside the Division Annex

Vaccines will be given on a first come, first served basis with supplies limited by availability. Minors must be accompanied by an adult ages 18+. Please bring a copy of your child’s insurance or Medicaid card if applicable. Uninsured kids are welcome!

Visit our Back to School Immunizations webpage for the full clinic schedule and more details.

Drowning Prevention

Cooking dinner? Choose someone else to be the water watcher.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) recently shared a press release about an increase in swimming pool drowning deaths and the need to raise awareness. Sadly, drowning is a leading cause of death among Virginia children ages 1 to 4. It happens quickly, quietly, and can happen to anyone. But the good news is, we can reduce the risk with some simple steps. Here’s how you can help keep everyone safe around water:

Practice Active Supervision: Never leave a child alone near a pool, spa, bathtub, toilet, or any standing water. Stay close, stay focused, and avoid distractions while watching them.

Take Swim Lessons: Teaching children how to swim and be safe around water can lower the risk of drowning. Even kids who know how to swim still need to be watched closely when they’re near water.

Learn CPR: Knowing CPR can make a huge difference in an emergency while waiting for help. Parents and teens should all be trained – water safety is a family effort!

Use Approved Safety Gear: Remember, toys like floaties and pool noodles aren’t safety devices. Only U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets should be used for safety in the water.

Install Barriers and Alarms: Put up barriers and alarms around pools to make sure children can’t get to the water unsupervised

Avoid Swimming After Dark: It’s harder to spot someone in trouble after dark, so it’s best to avoid swimming once the sun goes down.

Listen to the Lifeguard: Always pay attention to lifeguards and follow their directions. But remember, lifeguards can’t replace the need for close supervision of children in or near the water.

Let's keep our recreational water play safe and splashy all summer long! To learn more, visit the CDC’s Drowning Prevention webpage.

Community Health Improvement Plan

What is a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP)?

A Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) is a roadmap of goals, objectives, strategies, and partnerships based on findings identified by a Community Health Assessment (CHA). The MAPP2Health Core Group (Blue Ridge Health District, UVA Health, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital) conduct a CHA and CHIP every three years to better understand and address local health challenges. Each CHIP is developed with input and leadership from community members and agencies who help put the plan into action.

What has our most recent CHIP focused on?

Our latest CHIP cycle focused on digital access and skills, transportation, the healthcare workforce, and mental health. Local partners helped launch projects like mobile vaccine clinics, a community health worker course at PVCC, a transportation field trip and workshop for older adults, and the Regional Digital Equity Plan.

Where are we now in the CHA/CHIP cycle?

We’re wrapping up the 2022–2025 CHIP and building the 2025–2028 CHIP based on the just completed CHA. This new cycle will focus on chronic conditions (obesity and mental health), healthcare access, and the Social Drivers of Health — including food access, transportation, and economic stability.

Want to get involved?

Workgroups for the next CHIP will launch in late summer. If you or your organization want to help shape or lead this work, email BlueRidgeHD@vdh.virginia.gov to get connected.

Click here to download the July 2025 Health Whys in English

Haga clic aquí para descargar Health Whys de julio de 2025 en español

To read past publications, visit the BRHD Health Whys webpage.

Help Improve Transit for Older Adults and People with Disabilities

As the 2022–2025 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) completes its final year, there’s an exciting opportunity to support the Transportation Workgroup’s goal.

The Charlottesville Area Alliance (CAA) and Partnership for Accessible Transportation Help (PATH) have received a grant from AARP to learn how transit impacts older adults and people with disabilities in our community.

They are looking for District residents aged 55 and older to take part in either:

One-on-one interviews for people who use JAUNT, CAT, MicroCAT, or other transit at least 4 times a year;

Virtual listening sessions for people who currently use transit or would like to, but don’t yet.

Each participant will receive a $25 Food Lion gift card for their time. One-on-one interviews can be done in-person or via zoom. Listening sessions last about an hour.

If you’d like to share your experience and help improve transit for older adults and people with disabilities, reach out to: Jen Fleisher, BRHD CHA/CHIP Program Officer at jennifer.fleisher@vdh.virginia.gov.

Friday, July 4 – BRHD closed for Fourth of July (Independence Day)

Monthly Rapid REVIVE! Naloxone Trainings

Free trainings and dispensing of Naloxone nasal spray used to treat suspected opioid overdoses. All are welcome. Visit the Harm Reduction webpage for more information.

2nd Tuesday of the month: July 8 from 3 to 4 PM at the Greene County Health Department (50 Stanard St., Stanardsville)
3rd Monday of the month: July 21 from 3 to 4 PM at the Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department (1138 Rose Hill Dr., Charlottesville)
3rd Wednesday of the month: July 16 from 1 to 3 PM at the Nelson County Health Department (1645 Thomas Nelson Hwy., Arrington)
3rd Wednesday of the month: July 16 from 3 to 4 PM at the Louisa County Health Department (101 Woolfolk Ave. Suite 202, Louisa)
4th Wednesday of the month: July 23 from 1 to 3 PM at the Fluvanna County Health Department (132 Main St., Palmyra)

Monthly Test & Go Event

Free walk-in STI testing on a first-come, first-served basis until we reach capacity. No insurance or ID needed. Call 434-972-6269 for more information.

3rd Tuesday of the month: July 15 from 4:30 to 6 PM at the Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department (1138 Rose Hill Dr., Charlottesville)

Weekly Community Health Office Hours

Walk-in one-on-one sessions hosted in Albemarle County. All are welcome. Visit the Community Health Worker webpage for more information or call 434-270-3216.