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Right Help, Right Now
Governor Youngkin's behavioral health care three-year transformation
August 2024 | News and Updates
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Celebrating Leadership Changes! | |
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Chief of Staff
John Littel
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Secretary of Health and Human Resources
Janet Kelly
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Right Help, Right Now Executive Director
Hallie Pence
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Welcome!
I am excited to connect with you as I step into my new role as the Executive Director of Right Help, Right Now. It’s an honor to take on this position, and I am eager to build on the incredible progress we’ve made.
I'm also thrilled to announce changes in our leadership team. John Littel has transitioned into the role of Chief of Staff. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Chief Littel for his invaluable contributions as Secretary and wish him the best in his continued service to the Commonwealth. At the same time, we are delighted to welcome Janet Vestal Kelly as our new Secretary of Health and Human Resources. Janet brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to improving the quality of care and services across Virginia. We look forward to the positive impact she will undoubtedly make in her new role. Click here to read more about how these changes underscore Governor Youngkin's unwavering commitment to enhancing the health and well-being of all Virginians.
As I take on this role with Right Help, Right Now, I remain deeply committed to advancing our behavioral health system and supporting individuals in crisis. My extensive background in healthcare policy, community engagement, and public service has uniquely equipped me to tackle the challenges ahead. Prior to this, I served as Deputy Policy Director for the Governor, and I’ve worked for Members of the Virginia Delegation on Capitol Hill. In addition, I have been a steadfast advocate for Governor Glenn Youngkin since the beginning of his term, holding senior roles supporting both the Youngkin Campaign and U.S. House Representatives for nearly seven years. I am excited to bring this experience and dedication to Right Help, Right Now, and look forward to the progress we will achieve together.
Thank you for your continued collaboration and support. I look forward to the work ahead and making a positive difference in our community.
Yours in Partnership,
Hallie Pence
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Register for a Special Event:
Fentanyl Awareness Press Conference
Join us at CARITAS on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, as we come together to honor families impacted by fentanyl, spotlight recent milestones, and share a special announcement in our ongoing fight against fentanyl in the Commonwealth.
🕒 Doors open: 1:30 p.m.
📍 Location: CARITAS, 2220 Stockton Street, Richmond, VA 23224
🎟️ Registration required
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Behavioral Health Legislation Signed by Governor Youngkin
The Governor held multiple bill signings to celebrate Right Help, Right Now legislation this summer.
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In Roanoke on June 25, 2024, Governor Youngkin celebrated the signing of 18 bipartisan bills enhancing support for Virginians with developmental disabilities. These new laws improve accessibility in education, recreation, law enforcement, and transitional services. The Governor also signed a biennium budget allocating $247 million for additional waiver slots, furthering his administration’s commitment to providing life-changing care and support. Read the press release here. | |
At the Western Tidewater Community Services Board in Suffolk on June 13, 2024, Governor Youngkin signed a comprehensive set of bipartisan bills advancing the Right Help, Right Now behavioral health transformation plan. The legislation strengthens the behavioral health workforce, improves crisis intervention, and expands access to timely mental health services across Virginia. Read the press release here. | |
At Abingdon High School in Washington County on May 23, 2024, Governor Youngkin signed three bills helping to prevent overdoses and enhance drug education. The legislation combats xylazine manufacturing, implements opioid overdose prevention in schools, and shifts drug courts to focus on recovery. The event concluded with a school-wide REVIVE! naloxone training, highlighting Virginia's commitment to fighting the fentanyl crisis. Read the press release here. | |
At the Hanover County Administration Building on May 21, 2024, Governor Youngkin signed House Bill 27 and Senate Bill 39, transforming Virginia's approach to kinship care. This bipartisan legislation creates the Parental Child Safety Placement Program, prioritizing placing children with relatives to improve stability and well-being for children in foster care. The laws also provide financial support for kinship caregivers, strengthening Virginia's commitment to a "Kin First" child welfare system. Read the press release here. | |
At the Barbara Johns Building on April 4, 2024, Governor Youngkin signed Senate Bill 469, combating the fentanyl crisis in Virginia. The bipartisan law strengthens penalties for fentanyl offenses and criminalizes machines used to produce counterfeit drugs, equipping law enforcement to fight this deadly epidemic. With fentanyl claiming five lives per day in Virginia, this legislation is a crucial step to protect communities. Read the press release here. | |
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New Behavioral Health Funding
Virginia continues to prioritize the well-being of its residents with the recent approval of $190 million in behavioral health funding for 2024. These funds are directed toward crucial areas such as crisis intervention, children’s mental health, prevention and post-crisis services, bolstering the behavioral health workforce, addressing the opioid crisis, and expanding developmental and intellectual disability waivers.
Additionally, the newly passed budget includes a significant $450 million investment over the next biennium for Right Help, Right Now initiatives. Since its launch, Right Help, Right Now has driven nearly $1.4 billion in total incremental investments, ensuring that Virginians continue to receive the right care at the right time.
Governor Youngkin Establishes Cell Phone-Free Education in Virginia's K-12 Public Schools
On July 9, 2024, Governor Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 33 to implement cell phone-free education in Virginia’s K-12 public schools. This initiative addresses the growing concern over the impact of cell phone and social media use on youth mental health and classroom learning. Governor Youngkin’s order directs the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to collaborate with parents, teachers, and local school leaders to develop age-appropriate policies that restrict cell phone use during instructional time, aiming to create a more focused and healthier learning environment. Read the press release here.
With alarming data showing that excessive screen time contributes to increased rates of depression and anxiety among children, the Executive Order also commits $500,000 in funding to support local efforts to implement these policies. This groundbreaking move empowers school divisions to take action before the 2025 deadline, with VDOE providing guidance and resources to assist in adopting best practices. Virginians are encouraged to participate in the ongoing public discussion and submit feedback on the draft guidance. Learn more and share your thoughts here.
| Reflecting on Fentanyl Awareness Day, May 7, 2024 | |
Governor Glenn Youngkin delivers remarks at the Fentanyl Awareness Day coaches event in Richmond. Chief of Staff John Littel, Executive Director of Right Help, Right Now Hallie Pence, Soul Taco Owner Trey Owens, Bookbinder’s Owner John Taxin, and Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Nelson Smith attend the REVIVE! training event. | The Governor, First Lady, and our team led impactful events to emphasize the importance of preventing and raising awareness about the lethal risks of fentanyl, especially among Virginia's youth. These efforts, part of Right Help, Right Now and the First Lady's It Only Takes One campaign, reflect our commitment to tackling this crisis comprehensively. In Roanoke, we marked the opening of the Four Truths Recovery home with the First Lady. In Richmond, we highlighted the crucial role coaches play in educating student-athletes about fentanyl dangers. We also joined an event at Richmond’s Soul Taco, where restaurant staff were trained in naloxone administration. It was truly inspiring to see the dedication to protecting our communities. Additional initiatives, organized by the Virginia Department of Health across the Commonwealth, including community health fairs and virtual REVIVE! opioid overdose and naloxone training sessions, further emphasize the importance of timely intervention and informed decision-making in saving lives. Read the press release here. | |
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Making an Impact: How You Can Protect Your Community from Fentanyl
In the face of the fentanyl crisis, every individual holds the potential to be a guardian of their community. Through informed dialogue and steadfast vigilance, we become the first line of defense.
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The First Lady calls upon parents, teachers, and mentors to engage in crucial conversations with young people about the dangers of fentanyl. | |  |
Organize a REVIVE! opioid overdose and naloxone training session in your community to further empower and protect those around you. | |
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Resources and Information
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