July 30th Newsletter
I hope that you and your family are having a good summer and finding at least some time to enjoy the “normal” things that the pandemic has kept us away from for too long. As you already may be aware, the General Assembly will be convening in a special session next week to allocate the American Rescue Plan dollars that Congress has directed to the state. See below for more details on Governor Northam’s spending proposals related to those funds.
I have shared with you on more than one occasion my concerns regarding the behavioral health care crisis in Virginia. That crisis hit an unfortunate peak recently when the Virginia Behavioral Health Commissioner needed to suspend new admissions to five of the state’s mental health hospitals because they could not maintain adequate staffing levels. I joined Governor Northam’s announcement of his funding proposal to provide immediate relief to those state hospitals while also directing dollars to community-based services and opioid and substance abuse treatment across Virginia. The bulk of this money is coming from the American Rescue Plan and, thus, is a one-time allocation. We, the legislature, must find a longer-term funding solution to meet the Commonwealth’s behavioral health care needs.
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 Session on American Rescue Plan Will Convene Monday, August 2nd
On Monday, the House and Senate will convene for a special legislative session to fill judicial vacancies and allocate more than $4.3 billion in federal relief funding from the American Rescue Plan (ARP). Earlier this summer, the Governor and legislative leaders released a joint statement on shared priorities for this funding, which included investments in our public health services, unemployment trust fund, and the Rebuild VA Grant Program to support small businesses.
In the days leading up to the special session, Governor Northam has announced additional proposed investments that I have summarized below:
$700 million to achieve universal broadband by 2024 — Virginia plans to invest $700 million in ARP funding to expedite the deployment of last-mile broadband infrastructure to unserved areas and close the digital divide within the next three years. This proposal will accelerate the Governor’s 10-year goal for achieving universal internet access from 2028 to 2024, with the majority of connections obligated within the next 18 months. See more information online here.
$935.6 million to replenish the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and accelerate improvements to the VEC — The Governor’s plan will put $862 million back into Virginia’s unemployment insurance trust fund, preventing tax increases on businesses and ensuring that employers are not penalized for layoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Virginia will also invest $73.6 million to fast-track ongoing modernization efforts at the Virginia Employment Commission, including $37.4 million to boost call center capacity, $29.8 million to upgrade technology, nearly $4.6 million to hire additional adjudication officers, and $1.8 million for personnel support. See more information online here.
$500 million to improve air quality in Virginia Schools — The Commonwealth will invest $250 million which will be matched 1:1 by local ARP or other relief funding to improve ventilation and air quality in public schools, securing the completion of nearly all currently planned HVAC projects. This investment will ensure teachers and students have clean air in classrooms and make certain that our schools are safe, as high-quality ventilation systems reduce the number of virus particles in the air. See more information online here.
The funding package has nearly $200 million for staffing at state behavioral health facilities and intellectual disability training centers. This includes $45 million to continue staff bonuses and an additional $154 million in the two-year budget Governor Northam will submit in December for salary adjustments. The funding proposal also includes $150 million to increase access to community-based crisis services and child and family support services and provide dispatcher training for the Marcus Alert program, a new statewide mental health alert system designed to ensure behavioral health experts are involved in responding to individuals in crisis. An additional $5 million dollars will be dedicated to providing permanent supportive housing in Northern Virginia to assist with bed shortages. The plan also allocates $103 million for opioid and substance abuse treatment services. In 2020, Virginia saw nearly 2,300 overdose deaths, a 41 percent increase from the previous year, and the 2021 number is projected to be even higher. This funding will support community-based prevention, peer counseling, and harm reduction services. See more information online here.$485 million for behavioral health care to improve state hospitals and strengthen mental health services — The $485 million investment includes state funding as well as federal dollars from the ARP and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and is broadly focused on three areas—state mental hospitals, community-based services, and opioid and substance abuse treatment. Virginia’s mental health hospitals have faced high census levels with declining staffing for a number of years and the pandemic has only exacerbated these issues.
$411.5 million to reduce water pollution and increase access to clean water — Virginia plans to invest $411.5 million to reduce water pollution and increase access to clean water across the Commonwealth. The proposal will make substantial investments in aging water systems and improve drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. Clean water supports overall public health by preventing water-related ailments, increasing sanitation, and enabling food production. Affordable and reliable access to clean water is also important for driving economic activity across a broad range of industries, from tourism and outdoor recreation to agriculture and manufacturing. See more information online here.
$111 million to make colleges more affordable for Virginians — Virginia plans to use $111 million in American Rescue Plan funding to increase access to financial aid for low- and moderate-income undergraduate students. The proposal designates $100 million for public higher education institutions through the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia, and $11 million for private institutions eligible for the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant program. This proposed investment supplements more than $833 million that will be made available to Virginia colleges and universities through the American Rescue Plan Act’s Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III. These funds will be received directly by institutions of higher education and must be used for financial assistance for students as well as for qualifying institutional purposes. See more information online here.
$114 million in new resources to promote public safety, prevent and reduce crime — Virginia plans to direct more than $114 million in federal and state funding to support public safety initiatives across the Commonwealth. The Governor’s proposal includes $62 million in hazard pay and compensation for public safety officials, $35 million to address COVID-19 in correctional facilities, and $17 million for crime reduction and prevention programs and services for victims of crime. See more information online here.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make crucial investments in our infrastructure, education, and public health programs. Follow along with our meetings online here. This special session will convene in person, as the Capitol has reopened to the public. See more information on visiting the Capitol online here. You can also continue to follow along with the special session virtually by live streaming House and Senate meetings.
COVID Cases Increase in Henrico County—CDC Recommends Everyone Wear a Mask Indoors in High Transmission Areas
On Tuesday, the CDC issued updated recommendations on indoor mask-wearing. To prevent further spread of the Delta variant, the CDC recommends that all vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals wear a mask in indoor spaces if they are in an area of substantial or high transmission.
The transmission level for Henrico County and Richmond City is “substantial”— the second-highest of the four levels of transmission. You can view a map from the CDC of transmission across the United States by county online here. Cases in Henrico County and across Virginia, you can track cases by locality using the Virginia Department of Health COVID-19 Dashboard.
This new guidance from the CDC is not a mandate, but it is recommended that we follow these directions to protect our communities from COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to vaccinate yourself. Visit vaccinate.virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Health Releases Interim Guidance for PreK-12 Schools — Masks to Be Optional in Henrico County Schools
Last week, the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Department of Education released new guidance for PreK-12 schools in Virginia for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year. Under the new guidance, school divisions will have the authority to implement local mask policies based on public health recommendations and community conditions.
On Tuesday, Henrico Public Schools announced its current plans for mask-wearing during the 2021-2022 school year:
HCPS is committed to providing a school environment that considers the individual and unique health and safety needs of all staff, students, and families. Plans for the new school year include continued implementation of our health-risk mitigation strategies such as: a focus on handwashing, maintaining 3-foot distancing where possible, frequent cleaning of high-touch areas, and well-maintained indoor air systems. Individual schools will share their specific health and safety plans with their school communities before the new school year starts.
In alignment with current guidance, HCPS strongly encourages mask-wearing at school, especially indoors, for:
Students under the age of 12 (who are not yet eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine).
Others who are not fully vaccinated.
Those with underlying health conditions.
While we encourage mask-wearing for those not fully vaccinated, we respect that mask-wearing is currently an individual’s choice. As a reminder, Virginia’s public health order expired July 25. HCPS continues to work with our Virginia Health Department partners to monitor community conditions and will, as previously shared, make changes accordingly to specific school or division COVID-19 prevention plans.
Because of our efforts to prioritize the continuity of in-person learning, it is important to understand that current contact-tracing guidance indicates that wearing masks would generally enable unvaccinated students and staff to avoid quarantine protocols.
Masks will still be required on school buses because of a federal order from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention related to methods of public transportation.
Disposable masks will continue to be available on buses and in our schools during the upcoming school year. Employees and students will also have access to plastic dividers for their individual use if desired.
Henrico Schools ‘Back-to-School Kickoff’ Event Aug. 20
Henrico County Public Schools will host its annual “Back to School Kickoff” event on Friday, August 20th at the Eastern Henrico Recreation Center (1440 North Laburnum Ave) from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm. This event will have opportunities for families to register their child for school, talk with representatives from a variety of HCPS departments, and get more information about resources available to students and families this year.
The event is sponsored by the HCPS Division of Communications and Community Engagement, and all Henrico County families are invited to attend. Donations of backpacks and school supplies are being accepted for distribution at the event. If you would like to donate, contact HCPS’ Kiprena Viney at krviney@henrico.k12.va.us.
Back-to-School Kickoff activities include:
An information fair (vendors with information about division and community family resources).
School performances throughout the day.
DJ and dance contests.
Meet and talk with school leaders.
Kids’ activities.
Giveaways.
Food trucks.
Free books for all ages.
Free school supplies (while supplies last).
Help with using Schoology and PowerSchool.
Onsite school registration.
Complete online forms.
HCPS job opportunities booth for prospective teachers, bus drivers, and cafeteria workers.
See more information on this event online here.
Volunteer on My Campaign
It has been the honor of my life to serve my community in the House of Delegates. This year I am running for re-election to continue the progress we have made in Virginia over the past two years. My campaign is about connecting our community and building a stronger, more prosperous future for all Virginians. I have been out knocking doors and making calls to voters — but I need your help to make sure we reach every voter in the 73rd district.
To sign up to knock on doors visit bit.ly/knock4willett, and sign up to phone bank at bit.ly/call4willett. Personalized conversations with voters have been proven to be the most effective way to mobilize our electorate.
