Issue 26
Saturday, August 15, 2020
Prince William County
Dear Neighbors,

You have learned about the county's Strategic Planning process in earlier Wheeler Reports. I'm now excited to share with you in this issue detailed information on how you can participate in one of the two community conversations I am hosting.

I encourage you to attend one of these events and share your perspective on what is important for the future of the county. Please help get the word out by emailing the flyer I have included to your community associations, church groups, and neighbors.

Also in this issue are several COVID updates, a hometown hero shout out, information about an important workshop, a school tool, and a county office message.

In Service,
Chair Ann Wheeler
Community Conversations
Be Part Of The Process
Join Chair Wheeler in one of her two upcoming community conversations! Your input is a vital component to helping identify the focus areas and priorities for the county's 2021-2024 Strategic Planning process. The sessions will be virtual to ensure safety during the pandemic and hosted through Webex Meeting, a free online conference system. Details on how you can participate are provided below.
Saturday, August 22
10:00 am - 12:00 noon
Meeting Number/Access Code:
160 696 0557
Meeting Password: ChairWheeler
________

Or
Dial In By Calling:
415-655-0001
Access Code/Meeting Number:
1606960557#
Thursday, August 27
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Meeting Number/Access Code:
160 859 8902
Meeting Password: ChairWheeler
_________

Or
Dial In By Calling:
415-655-0001
Access Code/Meeting number:
1608598902# 
COVID-19
State News
New Study
Governor Ralph Northam announced this week the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) will conduct a pediatric coronavirus disease serology study in Northern Virginia. The new pediatric study will measure the proportion of children and teens with antibodies to COVID-19. Northern Virginia was selected due to the number of confirmed COVID-19 pediatric cases reported in the region and it's diversity.
In June, the Commonwealth launched an adult COVID-19 serology study. To date, the project has enrolled 4,652 adults (93%) of the 5,000 participant goal and is ongoing. The interim analysis, based on 3,113 participants, estimates that 2.4 percent of adults statewide have antibodies to COVID-19. 
"These studies provide key insight into how COVID-19 spreads among different ages and demographics groups. With this information, we are one step closer to beating this virus.”
Governor Ralph Northam
County News
Don't Forget To Wear A Mask
Beyond CARES Funding
The county has received $6.7 million in federal funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Justice. These funds are in addition to the federal CARES Act funding received. The PWC Economic Development Opportunity Fund Reserve, the Virginia Tourism Corporation and the Virginia Housing Development Authority contributed an additional $1.5 million. The Department of Justice funds were used for temperature scanners, metal detectors, x-ray machines, and decontamination equipment for the PWC Judicial Center. The other funding is being used to support COVID-19 expenses related to areas such as housing and community development.
The Wheeler Report previously covered the county's CARES Act funding. The first round of $41 million was featured in Issue 14 and Issue 23. Receipt of the second round of $41 million was featured in Issue 24. Future issues will keep you informed as the BOCS determines appropriations from the second round of federal funds.
Help To Those In Need
Issue 23 provided a snapshot of the various task forces coordinated by the Prince William Emergency Operations Center. This week the county shared an update on the Rent, Mortgage and Utility Relief Task Force, which helps people who are having trouble meeting their rent, mortgage and utility payments. Since it's launch on July 1, they have received 813 applications and provided $213,000 in assistance. Funding for the program, which is administered by the PWC Office of Housing and Community Development, is from the federal CARES Act.
Be In The Know
Speaking of testing, you can always find out the week's testing locations by checking the dedicated PWC COVID-19 web page to see the most up to date county testing information.
Hometown Hero News
Another Milestone
This past week Prince William Food Rescue officially reached a new milestone by now rescuing over 3 million pounds of food! That's the equivalent of over 1.5 million meals. Thanks go to their donors, Food Rescue Heroes, and distribution partners who continue to sacrifice to meet the growing need for food in our community.
So what is a Food Rescue Hero? Watch this video to learn more about how to become a Hero and what they do. Through their work, rather than being composted, rescued food will be used to create nutritious meals for some of the region’s nearly 40,000 food insecure residents.
Happy Anniversary
Friday, August 14 marked the one year anniversary of the Prince William Food Rescue! Launched as a way of leveraging technology to better connect people in need with food, no one had any idea how needed and valuable it would be in 2020 during the pandemic.
Community Services
Be Prepared
Overdoses can happen anywhere, at any time, and without warning to people who use prescribed medication, as well as illicit drugs. The Prince William Community Services Board (CSB), is offering free, virtual training through September 30. The workshops, REVIVE! Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Education for Virginia, teach people how to recognizing an overdose and administer naloxone, or Narcan, a medication that reverses the effects of an overdose. For more information or questions please contact Gabriella Delbo at 703-792-7737 or via email.
"We all want to think that we don't know anyone with an addiction, that it's not going to happen to us, but in reality, it could. There's a chance that all of us know someone who is addicted to some substance."
Heather Martinsen, Prince William County Community Services Behavioral Health and Wellness Supervisor
Schools
Did You Know
You can stay connected to the PWC School Division and your school with the My PWCS app! The app provides custom news, notifications, and event feeds based on your school selection. Get the latest information and services such as meal pick-up, wifi parking lot locations, and FAQs. You can download it for free in the App Store or Google Play (Android).
Department Message
Voter Mailing
The PWC Office of Elections has received numerous phone calls and complaints regarding a mailing from The Center for Voter Information. While this is a legitimate “Third Party” organization, they are in no way affiliated with our local county office, or the Virginia Department of Elections.

Our county Office of Elections is advising residents the following:
  • If you have received one of these letters with a Virginia Vote by Mail Application Form, you can use it to apply to have a ballot mailed to you (they will begin mailing ballots in mid-September).
  • If you do not want to vote by mail, ignore the application you have received.
  • If you already applied to vote by mail and you wish to make sure that we have received it, feel free to call (703) 792-6470 (Press “0” when the menu begins).
Ann B. Wheeler was elected Chair At-Large of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors during the 2019 General Election and assumed office on January 1, 2020. Prince William County is located 25 miles south of Washington, D.C., and is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s second-most populous county with approximately 470,000 residents.