Chesterfield County, Virginia's Weekly e-Newsletter
Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Stay Connected with Chesterfield!
Scroll to the bottom for more helpful links and resources to
stay up to date on all things Chesterfield!
Chesterfield To Hold Series of Community Meetings On Bond Referendum Plan
The Chesterfield Board of Supervisors and School Board, accompanied by county staff, will be hosting a series of community meetings over the next month to help share information and answer questions on the upcoming bond referendum. 

This fall, Chesterfield residents will vote on the Community Facilities Bond Plan, which would authorize the issuance of $540 million in General Obligation bonds. If approved, the Community Facilities Bond Plan will, over the next eight to 10 years, fund 26 capital improvement projects split among four categories: Schools, public safety, libraries, and parks. 

Some $375 million of the bonds would be allocated to Chesterfield County Public Schools for seven projects that include replacing three elementary schools and building another while also building a new high school in western Route 360, expanding Thomas Dale High School, and replacing Midlothian Middle School. Meanwhile, the $165 million that would be allocated for county government projects includes $81.1 million for public safety, $45.7 million for libraries, and $38.2 million for parks and recreation. 

Over the next few weeks, there will be eight community meetings held throughout Chesterfield to provide voters with important information on the referendum. The meetings include six in-person events spread out across the five magisterial districts as well as two Facebook Live meetings which can be attended virtually.

For more information about the meetings and the referendum itself, visit chesterfield.gov/bond.
Chesterfield Takes Home Five
VACo Achievement Awards
Last week the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) named Chesterfield County as the recipient of five 2022 Achievement Awards, including the program’s highest recognition, the “Best Achievement Award.”

Including this year’s awards, Chesterfield leads the VACo all-time achievement list with 44 awards, earning at least one award annually since the program’s inception in 1982. 

The VACo Achievement Awards highlight innovative programs focused on addressing high-priority issues presently challenging counties. This year, the county was recognized with the Best Achievement Award for “Connecting All Community Residents to Public Schools.” The award gives Chesterfield one of VACo’s top honors for the sixth year in a row. 

The county also took home five other Achievement Awards recognizing:

  • Chesterfield County’s Juvenile Detention Home Reimagines Behavior Management
  • ‘Mental Health Is A Puzzle, But We Have The Missing Piece’ Youth-Centric Social Media Campaign 
  • StratIS Population Forecasting
  • Providing an Opportunity to the Youngest in the Community to Become Future Scholars

For more information about the winning submissions, read the full release here.
Chesterfield Seeks New Officers of Elections
For Upcoming General Election
With the November General Election now less than three months away, the Chesterfield County Registrar’s Office is looking for registered voters to become Officers of Election.

“Every election is an opportunity for voters to become public servants and this year is no different in that respect,” said Chesterfield General Registrar and Director of Elections Missy Vera. “Stepping up and becoming an Officer of Election is a wonderful way for people to give back to their community and help their fellow residents exercise their right to vote while also learning more about the democratic process.”

Now more than ever, Officers of Election are vital to the electoral process. These registered voters ensure the integrity of the election and assist voters in having a successful and enjoyable voting experience.

If you are interested in becoming an Officer of Elections, visit www.PromoteTheVoteCfield.org or call 804-748-1471.
Celebrate National Dog Day Aug. 26! 
What would the dog days of summer be without some fun activities for you and your four-legged friends?! 

Come celebrate National Dog Day on Friday, Aug. 26! Representatives from the county will be out and about at several locations around the county with FREE swag for your furry friend!

Want a FREE professional photo of your pup? At Rockwood Park’s Ruff House Dog Park and Harry Daniel Park, you can get one taken of you and your dog with Sparky, the official mascot of Chesterfield Fire and EMS. Registration is required so don’t wait, sign up now!

Visit ExperienceChesterfield.com/woof for all the details
Catch Up on Blog Posts from
As one of the top local government priorities consistently cited by citizens, public safety is in many ways the foundation of why Chesterfield remains a great place to live, work, play and conduct business.

The Community Facilities Bond Plan recognizes that, allocating a total of $81.1 million to the Chesterfield Police Department and Chesterfield Fire and EMS.

If approved by voters on Nov. 8, the 2022 bond referendum package will provide $39.1 million to police and $42 million to Fire and EMS – funding that will enable each agency to complete four much-needed capital projects.

Our latest blog breaks down how that money is budgeted and why the projects are vital to their respective operations.

While you're on the site, take a second to subscribe so you receive alerts every time a new post is published.
Chesterfield Girls Finish Third In
Little League Softball World Series!
For the second consecutive year, a team from Chesterfield finished among the best of the best in the Little League Softball World Series!

With its Southeast Region title win last month, the team punched its ticket to the 2022 Little League Softball World Series and finished the event with a 9-0 rout of Asia-Pacific to take home third place. This year’s team, which returned four players from that runner-up squad of a year ago, finished up its run down in Greenville, N.C. on Monday.

The group of 11- and 12-year-old girls will return to Chesterfield having won district, state, and regional championships while once again showing well in the sport's biggest event.

Congrats ladies!
Registration Under Way for Fall Session
of Government Citizens Academy!
The Department of Citizen Information and Resources is excited to announce the fall session of the Chesterfield Government Citizens Academy will be offered on Wednesday morning from 9-11:30 a.m.. beginning Sept. 14 and running through Nov. 9.

Registration is already under way. Those who are interested in taking part in the GCA this fall can sign up until Friday, Sept. 2 by visiting chesterfield.gov/govacademy.
 
The Government Citizens Academy provides Chesterfield citizens with an opportunity to learn about their local government and participate in interactive sessions. 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. 
Watch and Listen to the Latest Episodes of
Chesterfield Behind the Mic is a video podcast focusing on the people, stories and happenings of #Cfield. You can watch and listen to all of the episodes at http://www.Chesterfield.gov/Podcast.

On the latest episode, we talk to Valerie Fowlkes and Ginger Dotter from Chesterfield Mental Health Support Services about the ways that parents can best prepare and support their children and teens as they get ready to start a new school year. We talk through tips and strategies for homework, sleep, screen time and how parents can be involved in order to help their kids navigate what can be a stressful time.
Apply For the Fall Citizens Police Academy!
The Chesterfield County Police Department is calling for applications to participate in the fall Citizens Police Academy. 

To fill out and submit an application, visit https://www.chesterfield.gov/945/Academies.

The evening academy will be held from Sept. 6 to Oct. 18 on Tuesdays from 6:30-10 p.m. at St. David’s Episcopal Church at 1801 Camborne Road. 

The morning academy will be held from Sept. 8 to Oct. 20 on Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; the location will be announced at a later time.

Academy participants will: 

  • Learn about specialized police units, including forensics, K-9 and SWAT
  • Conduct traffic stop scenarios with the Traffic Safety Section
  • Ride with a police officer on patrol (if desired)
  • Participate in scenarios (if desired)
  • Learn about officer accountability from the Office of Professional Standards and County Attorney

Participants must be adults and reside, own a business or belong to a civic organization within Chesterfield County. Applicants will be screened for activities that may disqualify them from participating in the academy. 

For more information or an application, please call Corporal Matt Rogers at 804-318-8549 or email him at [email protected]

Chesterfield Offers Tax Exemption
for Rehabilitating Older Homes
Did you know Chesterfield County allows a partial real estate tax exemption for the rehabilitation, renovation, or replacement of older residential structures?

The goal of this program is to help protect and preserve our aging neighborhoods. Upon approval, the partial tax exemption will be in effect for 15 years and transfers with the real estate. The amount of the exemption is based solely on increased assessment value, not the amount spent on the improvement project. There is no application fee.

Find out more and apply online today at https://tinyurl.com/4pfdd8t3.
Calling All #Cfield Agribusinesses!
The Agribusiness Promotion & Development Committee invites Chesterfield agribusinesses to promote their farm products and services on an interactive map for #Cfield residents and visitors to enjoy.

If you, or someone you know, owns an agribusiness in #Cfield, complete the form to be listed on the map. It’s free!

Learn more and sign up at www.chesterfield.gov/farmsignup.
Plant a Row for the Hungry!
Virginia Cooperative Extension - Chesterfield is challenging you to Plant a Row for the Hungry. Grow a few more plants or an extra row in your garden and donate the surplus produce to help feed the hungry in Chesterfield and around RVA.

The Chesterfield Master Gardeners are leading this campaign with collections on Mondays (through Oct. 31, excluding holidays) from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Chesterfield Extension Office, 9501 Lori Rd.

For more information about Plant a Row for the Hungry, visit https://tinyurl.com/bdh323r9.
Find Quality Child Care Through
New Social Services Program
The Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services (DSS) has launched an initiative to help connect families and child care facilities with quality child care professionals in the community. 

Through this new effort, Chesterfield-Colonial Heights DSS hopes to assist residents by providing resources to identify quality child care facilities for their children, along with matching eligible families with financial assistance to assist with child care costs.
  
It also plans to work within its own network of child care providers in helping them identify candidates to hire at their respective facilities – including providing access to necessary training and resources, and helping people seeking to open their own child care facilities in Chesterfield or Colonial Heights. 

For more information, visit www.childcareva.com. Interested people and parties can also email at [email protected] or call at 804-748-1100. 
Interested in Being an Anti-Litter Advocate?
Adopt-A-Spot in Chesterfield!
Let’s work together to protect our environment!

The Keep Chesterfield Beautiful team is part of the county's Department of Community Enhancement. KCB is looking for volunteers for the Adopt-A-Spot Program. This program allows organizations, businesses and individuals to adopt smaller, more secure areas instead of busy roadways. A spot may be a park, school grounds, vacant lot, parking lot, walkway, median strip, street or entranceway. Chesterfield will provide garbage bags and reflective vests as needed.

Take pride in your community by helping to keep one site beautiful and litter-free. If you are interested in attending any of our volunteer opportunities, please contact Calvin Vonada by email at [email protected] or call 804-717-6136.
Visit the Chesterfield County Farmer's Market!
The Chesterfield County Farmers Market is back! Every Wednesday through Sept. 28, come out, support local vendors and enjoy fresh produce and local goods from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The #Cfield Farmers Market is located at 6701 Mimms Loop, Chesterfield, VA. We hope to see you there!
Chesterfield Spreads Kindness
Did a neighbor recently help unload your groceries? Has a stranger paid for your coffee? Here in #Cfield, random acts of kindness take place each day and we want to hear about them! Visit www.chesterfield.gov/kindness to submit your kindness story for a chance to be featured on our social media channels.
Request a Speaker Today!
Did you know your group or organization can request a speaker from the #Cfield Speakers Bureau? The Speakers Bureau features a variety of topics on current and timely subjects from county leaders who are eager to talk to your group or organization. Our subject-matter experts want to be your best resource for getting answers to important questions about Chesterfield.

Topics include:
✅ District update – Request your board member to speak
✅ Bond Referendum: What Is A Bond Referendum?
✅ Preparing for an emergency - Emergency Management
✅ Senior resources in Chesterfield - Office of Aging and Disability Services
✅ Chesterfield Cooperative Extension - Master Gardeners
✅ So much more.
Adoptable Pet Spotlight
This is Larry!

Say hello to this handsome guy named Larry! He is a sweet Lab mix who is looking for a new family to call his own. He has a friendly disposition and we think that he would do well around children. 

Larry knows sit and shake and somewhat knows down. He is always looking for someone to pet him and show him affection. He doesn’t mind hopping up on the couch for cuddles either. Larry likes other dogs, but feels more comfortable around dogs that aren’t as hyper. 

Larry came in with an ear infection. He is currently being treated for it and we will send you home with the remainder of his meds. He is estimated to be 4 years old and weighs around 53 pounds
If you are interested in meeting this pet, please contact Chesterfield County Animal Services at 804-748-1683, option "2," to schedule an appointment. Office staff are available by phone 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. The shelter is located at 9300 Public Works Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832.
Watch WCCT - On Cable. Online. On the Go.
Did you know you can watch #Cfield Board of Supervisors meetings, Planning Commission meetings, and other special programming on WCCT from the comfort of your own home?

Chesterfield Community Television is your source of information, news, and events around the county!

You can also watch original programing on WCCT. Here’s some of what you can expect:
Real Virginia
Real Virginia focuses on agriculture news and family-oriented stories throughout the state of Virginia. The show also offers cooking and gardening segments that feature products from Virginia.

National Gallery of Art Video Teaching Series
These programs explore current and historical 20th century art and sculpture from around the world. Programs focus on specific past and present exhibits from the National Gallery of Art and profiles pioneers in various fields of art and sculpture.

Watch WCCT on cable, online and on the go. Here's how:

Learn More About Social Security Benefits
The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to communicate information clearly in a way “the public can understand and use.” This can be particularly challenging when talking about complicated programs like Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and Medicare. 

Take a moment to learn a few common Social Security terms and acronyms! 

COLA: This stands for “Cost-of-Living Adjustment.” With COLAs, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits keep pace with inflation.  Most years, your monthly benefit amount will get a COLA, which usually means extra money. 

Credits: As you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn credits – previously called "Quarters of Coverage" – that count toward your eligibility for future Social Security benefits. You can earn a maximum of four credits each year. Most people need 40 credits to qualify for benefits. Younger people need fewer credits to qualify for disability or survivors benefits.  For more information, see Social Security Credits at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10072.pdf.

Earnings Record: This is the chronological history of the amount of money you earned each year during your working lifetime. Your credits remain on your Social Security earnings record even when you change jobs or have no earnings for a period of time. Review your earnings record with a personal my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.

FICA: This stands for "Federal Insurance Contributions Act."  It’s the tax withheld from your wages that funds the Social Security and Medicare programs.
Now, if any of these terms or acronyms comes up in conversation, you can help explain what they mean. Visit our online glossary at www.ssa.gov/agency/glossary to learn more of ourterminology and deepen your understanding of how Social Security works for you.

To access the Social Security Administration's services online, visit SSA.gov/onlineservices
Updates from Chesterfield County Public Schools
Schools open in less than a week!
Schools open on Monday, Aug. 22, which is less than a week from today!

This is the second year in a row Chesterfield County Public Schools has opened before Labor Day. (Of course, Chesterfield’s two year-round schools have been in session since July 18!) 

While Aug. 22 is the first day of the 2022-2023 school year for Chesterfield County schools that follow a traditional calendar, some students will not start until Aug. 23 or Aug. 24. 

Get all the details about school calendars at bit.ly/CCPScals. Families can find oodles of back-to-school info at bit.ly/CCPSbts, including digital versions of the 2022-23 parent handbook in English and in Spanish.

Adult ed registration is open
Registration is open for adult continuing education classes. Chesterfield County Public Schools offers workforce classes, enrichment opportunities, GED support, English for Speakers of Other Languages classes and senior adult options. Get the details at ace.mychesterfieldschools.com.

Chesterfield opens Virginia's first recovery high school program 
On Aug. 2, school, community and state leaders held a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a tour of the Chesterfield Recovery Academy, which is Virginia’s first recovery high school program. Video of the event is on the YouTube channel (ccpsva) and Facebook page (chesterfieldschools) of Chesterfield County Public Schools. Housed at the Career and Technical Center @ Hull, the Chesterfield Recovery Academy is operated by Chesterfield County Public Schools and will open in Aug. 2022 to central Virginia Region 1 high school students who are in recovery from substance use disorders. Get more information here.
Back-to-school information

  • Helpful registration video: Through Minutes With Merv, #oneCCPS families can get help for a strong start to the school year. This video — https://youtu.be/hYl6CYgMawc — focuses on registering students who have not previously attended Chesterfield County Public Schools. Go to bit.ly/CCPSreg for helpful links, including find-my-school widget, school supply lists and transportation details.

  • Free and reduced-price meals reminder: During the pandemic, the federal government issued a waiver allowing all children to eat for free at school. This meant the application for free or reduced-price meals was not required during this time. However, the federal waiver expired, and families must now complete an application to receive free or reduced-price meals during the 2022-23 school year. All others will pay for meals as they did before the pandemic. Complete the free or reduced price meal application for the 2022-23 school year here in English or here in Spanish. If you need a paper form, contact [email protected]. Note: Children who attend schools that qualify for the Community Eligibility Provision will receive free meals at school during the 2022-23 school year and do not need to complete a free or reduced price meal application. 
 
COVID-19 Resources
The Chesterfield Health District recommends that everyone in the region continue to take precautions due to COVID-19.  
  • Have you misplaced your COVID-19 vaccination card? Anyone vaccinated in Virginia can click here to obtain their vaccination record.

  • Looking for a COVID-19 vaccine? Use VaccineFinder.org or Vaccines.gov to find the latest information on which providers and pharmacies are administering the COVID-19 vaccine.
 

  • Do you need to take a COVID-19 test? All CCPL locations distribute FREE COVID-19 antigen rapid tests. Test kits are distributed through curbside service only. Drive to any library during operating hours and call the phone number posted out front to request your test kit. Visit the library’s website or call 804-751-CCPL (2275) for more information. Test kit are limited to two kits per visitor and are made available through the Virginia Department of Health.
 
  • Interested in seeing the state's latest COVID-19 vaccination statistics, including a breakdown by locality? Access the COVID-19 dashboard in Virginia here. Please note: this site is managed by the Virginia Department of Health. 
Apply to Chesterfield County Government jobs.
Apply to Chesterfield County Schools jobs.
Learn More About Your District
All Things Chesterfield
Public Safety Links
Chesterfield County, Virginia | chesterfield.gov | 804.748.1000