August 13th Newsletter
I am proud of the spending bill we passed this week and the relief that it will provide to Virginians. Our spending allocations also make large investments to rebuild our economy so that we can be more resilient and prosperous for years to come. Some of the investments that I am most excited about are the funding for education, workforce training, and affordable child care. These are policies that will uplift workers and families, while also contributing to a stronger business climate. See below for my floor speech on how these investments will strengthen our economy for all Virginians:
If you have any questions or need assistance with a state agency, please contact my office at delrwillett@house.virginia.gov or phone at 804-698-1073, and a member of my staff will be happy to assist you. I also will continue to keep you informed with relevant, accurate information via Twitter, Facebook, and my website. Please stay well and stay in touch.
Sincerely,
Rodney
New Information
Special Legislative Session — American Rescue Plan Funding and Court of Appeals
Last week, the General Assembly convened for a special session to allocate COVID-19 relief funding from the American Rescue Plan and elect new judges to the Virginia Court of Appeals. We completed our work this Tuesday, allocating $3.2 billion in COVID-19 relief funds to help rebuild our economy, expand broadband access, repair and reopen our schools, improve our public health system, increase financial aid for higher education and so much more! We decided to hold back on allocating the remaining $1.1 billion of the $4.3 billion allotment from the American Rescue Plan so that our Commonwealth will have funds available for future needs created by the pandemic. Unlike the CARES Act, the American Rescue Plan gives states multiple years to allocate this relief; Virginia has until December 2024 to allocate the remaining funds.
You can see the full version of our spending bill online here; see below for more information on some of our most significant spending initiatives:
Broadband expansion: Over $700 million in funding to expedite the deployment of last-mile broadband infrastructure to unserved areas and close the digital divide within the next three years.
Small businesses: $250 million to fully fund the Rebuild VA program, to reinvest in our economy, and take strides to build a better Virginia in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Virginia Employment Commission: $862 million added to the Unemployment Trust Fund to avoid large increases in employer-required contributions to replenish the fund, with another $73.6 million allocated to update and modernize VEC systems to improve claimant services.
Public school infrastructure: $250 million to upgrade our public schools’ infrastructure by enhancing their HVAC systems. This will address ventilation needs and ensure improved air quality for our children in their classrooms.
Public health systems: This funding will go toward ensuring that our medical infrastructure is up to date and as safe as possible. $238 million is being allocated for substance abuse and mental health systems, and $280.8 million will go toward public health initiatives.
Clean water: $411.5 million to fortify wastewater treatment infrastructure, provide funds for homeowners who live below the poverty line to improve their wells and septic systems, and increase access to drinkable water in every corner of the Commonwealth.
Financial aid for higher education: $111 million to provide aid for students who might not have been able to afford higher education otherwise.
Bonus/Hazard Pay for Law Enforcement: $5,000 in bonus payments to all sworn, law enforcement personnel in the Virginia State Police; $3,000 in one-time hazard pay to state-supported sworn officers of Sheriff's Departments and Regional Jails; and a $3,000 bonus for corrections and law enforcement staff in the Department of Corrections.
Mental Health Care: $485 million in federal and state funding to address pressing challenges in Virginia’s behavioral health system. The plan includes targeted investments to alleviate pressure on state mental health hospitals, strengthen community-based services, and increase support for substance abuse treatment and prevention programs.
During our 2021 regular legislative session, the General Assembly passed SB1261, expanding the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals by providing a right of appeal in every civil case. This expansion will significantly increase the workload for the Court of Appeals, requiring the General Assembly to expand the Court from 11 to 17 judges. We also had two vacancies to fill, which meant we had 8 seats to appoint during the special session.
The newly elected appeals court judges, each of whom will serve an eight-year term, are:
Dominique A. Callins of Front Royal, who practices family law at Simms Showers;
Doris Henderson Causey of Henrico, managing attorney of Central Virginia Legal Aid Society;
Vernida R. Chaney of Alexandria, a criminal defense lawyer at Chaney Law Firm;
Frank Friedman of Roanoke, chairman of the Woods Rogers appellate team;
Junius P. Fulton of Norfolk, a Norfolk Circuit Court judge;
Lisa M. Lorish of Charlottesville, an assistant federal public defender and appellate specialist for the Western District of Virginia and lecturer at the University of Virginia School of Law;
Daniel E. Ortiz of Fairfax, a Fairfax County Circuit Court judge;
Stuart A. Raphael of Arlington, a former Virginia solicitor general who is a partner at Hunton Andrews Kurth.
I am thrilled that we have selected an incredibly diverse group of judges. Four of the judges selected are Black, and four are women, bringing a historic level of diversity to our Court. The selected candidates are also regionally diverse — nearly all regions are of the Commonwealth are represented on our appellate court.
2021-2022 School Year Mask Policy - Henrico County
Yesterday, Governor Northam announced that the State Health Commissioner has issued a Public Health Emergency Order for universal masking in all indoor settings in Virginia’s K-12 schools. This order reinforces the state law that requires Virginia schools to adhere to mitigation strategies outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of July 28, CDC guidelines include universal masking for all students, teachers, and staff. The order has a few exceptions to the mask policy including eating, exercise, playing a musical instrument, religious activities, health conditions, and disabilities.
During the 2021 regular legislative session, we passed SB1303 with a bipartisan majority, requiring school districts to provide students with an in-person learning option for the 2021-2022 school year. The bill also includes safety measures, including requiring school districts to adhere to CDC mitigation recommendations “to the maximum extent practicable.”
Henrico County initially issued an optional mask policy, however, the School Board met again on Thursday and unanimously approved the updated recommendations from the HCPS health committee. Henrico County Public Schools division will require masks for all students and employees – regardless of vaccination status – for the 2021-2022 school year, with a few exceptions, including physical education classes and recess. Moving forward, masking protocols will be reviewed approximately every two weeks at the School Board’s public meetings.
Aside from mask-use, plans for the new school year include continued implementation of our health-risk mitigation strategies such as:
Well-maintained indoor air systems.
Maintaining 3-foot distancing where possible.
Frequent cleaning of high-touch areas.
Clear plastic desk guards (for use by request.)
A continued focus on handwashing.
See more information on Henrico County’s mask policy online here. Individual schools will share school-specific health and safety plans with their communities prior to the start of the new year.
New Medicaid Eligible Services Available
The 2021 Appropriations Act included funding to provide Medicaid new services including an adult dental benefit, enhanced behavioral health services, prenatal services, and contraception. See below for more information:
New Adult Dental Benefit for 750,000 Virginians
Adults with full Medicaid benefits in Virginia now have access to more dental services and provider choices through DentaQuest. The new benefit began July 1, 2021. Covered dental services for adult Medicaid members with full benefits include:
Cleanings, X-rays, and exams
Fillings and root canals
Dentures
Gum-related treatment
Oral surgeries
And more!
Children and pregnant individuals enrolled in Medicaid, FAMIS or FAMIS MOMS will continue to receive comprehensive dental coverage. Members can check with their existing dentists to see if they accept Medicaid or find a dentist. See more information on Medicaid Dental Benefits online here.
Project BRAVO - Enhanced Behavioral Health Services
Virginia Medicaid members now have access to enhanced behavioral health services that are essential for whole-person health. Through a collaboration between the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) and the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), the new services focus on community-based services over predominantly hospital-based services. The new services are part of a multi-phase initiative known as Project BRAVO.
The enhanced behavioral health services will help Virginia move from a reactive, high-cost system that is dependent on intensive services to one that is proactive, cost-efficient, and focused on providing services in the least restrictive environment. Some of the new services that are covered include:
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) for adults
Mental health partial hospitalization program for youth and adults
Mental health intensive outpatient program for youth and adults
Additional services that will be covered as of December 2021 include:
Multisystemic Therapy (MST) for youth
Functional Family Therapy (FFT) for youth
Mobile crisis for youth and adults
Community stabilization for youth and adults
23-hour observation for youth and adults
Residential crisis stabilization for youth and adults
Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) will increase access to these services over the coming months.
FAMIS Coverage for Pregnant Individuals
FAMIS Prenatal is comprehensive coverage for uninsured pregnant individuals who don't qualify for other full-benefit coverage groups because of their immigration status. As of July 1, these Virginians -- including those who are undocumented or DACA recipients (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, also known as DREAMers) -- are eligible for the FAMIS MOMS benefit package during their pregnancy through 60 days postpartum.
Applicants will not need to provide immigration documents or a Social Security number to be eligible for this new coverage. They will still need to meet other eligibility criteria, including income requirements.
Compared to citizens, undocumented immigrants are almost five times as likely to be uninsured, and options for affordable health care are limited. FAMIS Prenatal is an important step toward closing the coverage gap for undocumented Virginians during a critical time in their lives and their families’ lives — during pregnancy and the birth of a baby. This new coverage will bring Virginia closer to meeting the Governor’s goal of eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in maternal mortality by 2025. Visit coverva.org for more information.
Contraception Coverage for 12 Months
Virginia Medicaid implemented a new policy that allows Medicaid members to receive a 12-month supply of contraceptives. This is an increase from the one-month supply permitted under previous rules. This new policy empowers our members to make the best decisions about their reproductive health.
The policy covers all routine, self-administered contraceptives, including oral contraceptive pills, weekly patches, monthly rings, and injections given at home every three months. Medicaid members in managed care and fee-for-service, Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS), and Plan First are included in the policy.
Henrico Mental Health & Developmental Services Job Fair Aug. 19
Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services will host a job fair from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19 to highlight opportunities to support the community’s health and well-being. Job opportunities with Henrico Mental Health and Developmental Services include training assistants, clinicians, case managers, case aides, business manager, senior controller, peer recovery specialist, part-time physician assistant, group home supervisor, clinical supervisor, and community support supervisor.
The fair will be held at the MH/DS main office, at 10299 Woodman Road, and is open to the public at no cost. Attendees will be able to meet with staff, participate in interviews and submit an online job application using computers provided onsite. All attendees will be required to wear face coverings due to COVID-19.
For those unable to attend, a virtual information session will be held from noon to 1 p.m. via WebEx. See more details on how to participate online here.
Internet Essentials/Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
As we prepare for the start of the school year, access to affordable broadband is crucial for the success of our students. The FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is designed to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. See more information, and participating providers online here.
Broadband providers may have additional income-based programs to provide low-cost broadband, see below for more information:
Comcast Internet Essentials — Provides low cost, high-speed internet service, with no credit check, no term contract, and no cancellation fees for $9.95 a month.
Verizon Lifeline — Offers monthly discounts to eligible customers. You may qualify for Lifeline service if you can show proof that you participate in certain government assistance programs or your annual income is 135% or below the Federal Poverty Guideline.
Virginia Mental Health Access Program (VMAP) is 2 Years Old!
The Virginia Mental Health Access Program (VMAP) is a statewide initiative that helps health care providers take better care of children and adolescents with mental health conditions through provider education and increasing access to child psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and care navigators.
Virginia has a severe shortage of mental health providers. At the same time, PCPs treating children and adolescents are not equipped to manage mental health in their primary care settings. To address this need, VMAP gives primary care providers the training and tools they need to serve children and young adults with mental health needs. This includes year-round education opportunities and access to on-call child and adolescent psychiatrists 40 hours a week.
Since the VMAP consult line opened 2 years ago, 545 providers have enrolled in the program, and 1,245 consults have been completed. If you are a provider and interested in enrolling in this program, please see more information and sign up online here. Primary care providers can enroll in training on managing pediatric mental health, call VMAP to consult with a child and adolescent psychiatrist and/or other behavioral health providers, and receive care navigation to support with resources and referrals (available in some regions).
