November 24, 2004
CONTACT: Michael O'Connor, Director, Henrico Area Mental Health & Retardation Services
PHONE: 261-8585
The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) has awarded three-year accreditation--the organization's highest measure of quality assurance--to nine programs and services provided by Henrico Area Mental Health and Retardation Services (MH/MR).
An international, nonprofit body, CARF offers accreditation of human-service providers in the fields of rehabilitation, employment, child and family and aging services.
"CARF accreditation represents a lot of hard work by dedicated staff who really go out of their way to deliver outstanding services to the people we serve," said MH/MR Director Michael O'Connor.
Programs receiving accreditation were Assertive Community Treatment; Case Management/Services Coordination; Community Housing; Community Integration: Psychosocial Rehabilitation; Supported Living; Prevention; Community Employment Services; Organizational Employment Services; Child and Youth Services; and Community Integration.
To earn CARF accreditation, the MH/MR programs had to meet 300 criteria and consumer-focused, internationally recognized standards in several areas, including business practices, leadership and management, behavioral health, community service delivery and consumer involvement. In its report, CARF commended MH/MR's "established pattern of excellence" and "dedication and commitment to quality services," noting that the Henrico agency is recognized throughout Virginia for its "innovative and effective service delivery" to the people it serves.
The MH/MR programs first earned CARF accreditation in 2001.
November 15, 2004
CONTACT: Barry Lawrence, Clerk, Board of Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4318
The next town meeting of Henrico County Board Chairman and Tuckahoe District Supervisor Patricia S. O'Bannon will examine the Henrico Circuit Court's Drug Court program. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, at the Gayton Branch Library, 10600 Gayton Road.
Program Administrator Anna Powers will provide information and lead a discussion about the Drug Court program, which is designed to rehabilitate its participants through a combination of intensive treatment, community supervision and judicial monitoring. She will join O'Bannon for a question-and-answer period as well.
Tuckahoe town meetings are open to the public. For more information, call 501-4318 or log on to www.patobannon.com.
November 8, 2004
CONTACT: Dr. Curtis W. Thorpe, Director of Health
PHONE: 501-4522
CONTACT: George T. Drumwright, Jr., Deputy County Manager
PHONE: 501-4515
The Henrico County Health Department is conducting two flu vaccination clinics for people considered at high-risk of flu complications on November 16 and 17 at Richmond International Raceway (RIR). Eligible participants should use Gate 2 off Laburnum Avenue. Gates will open at 7 a.m. and vaccinations will begin at 10 a.m. in the Colonial Building.
Health Department staff will administer the flu vaccine only to people with one or more of the following risk factors:
· Children 6-23 months,
· Adults 65 or older (must show proof of age),
· People 2-64 years of age with underlying chronic medical conditions,
· Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities,
· Children 6 months-18 years on chronic aspirin therapy,
· Women who will be pregnant during the flu season,
· Health care workers who provide direct patient care (must show employee ID or proof of employment in health care) and,
· Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children under 6 months.
There is a limited quantity of flu vaccine available. Henrico will administer 1,600 doses at the clinics--800 each day--on a first-come, first-served basis, and is allocating the remaining 1,200 doses from the Virginia Department of Health for physician practices and health care organizations to administer to patients in high risk priority groups.
The cost for the vaccine will be $18; accepted forms of payment are cash or check. The vaccine is free for patients with Medicare Part B; however, they must show their Medicare Card.
Residents may call 501-7888 for prerecorded vaccine details. For more information on the flu vaccine supply, log onto the Virginia Department of Health's Web site at www.vdh.virginia.gov, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Web site at www.cdc.gov.
November 5, 2004
CONTACT: Mikki Knight, Executive Assistant, Board of Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4208
The next constituent meeting of Henrico County Board Vice Chairman and Fairfield District Supervisor Frank Thornton will examine Henrico's land use plan and the ways it benefits county residents. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15, at North Park Branch Library, 8505 Franconia Road.
Assistant Director of Planning Joe Emerson will discuss the Henrico County Comprehensive Land Use Plan, which primarily addresses development undertaken by the private sector. The plan describes the county's vision of future development and helps direct its planning efforts. Emerson will join Thornton for a question-and-answer period as well.
Fairfield constituent meetings are open to the public. Call 501-4208 for more information.
November 1, 2004
CONTACT: Tim Foster, P.E., Traffic Engineer
PHONE: 501-4397
The Henrico County Department of Public Works advises motorists that on Saturday, Nov. 13, from 8 to 11 a.m., the northbound lane of Huguenot Road -- including the Huguenot Bridge -- will close between Chippenham Parkway and Three Chopt Road for the Richmond Marathon.
A detour will divert northbound traffic from the Huguenot Bridge to the Edward Willey Bridge. The marathon will not affect southbound motorists but may cause temporary road closures or delays on other bridge crossings and roadways within the City of Richmond.
November 1, 2004
CONTACT: Debbie Cassidy, Recreation Services Manager
PHONE: 501-5113
Area residents can jump-start their holiday season -- and witness history in the process -- when Henrico County plays host to the U.S. Capitol Holiday Tree during special festivities on Monday, Nov. 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Meadow Farm Museum, 3400 Mountain Road. The event is free and open to the public.
"We invite everyone to enjoy some early holiday cheer and take advantage of this rare chance to see the U.S. Capitol Holiday Tree in their own community," said Debbie Cassidy, recreation services manager with the Division of Recreation and Parks.
Meadow Farm will be decked out in full seasonal regalia, including holiday lights and decorations, a bonfire and even a blanketing of snow -- guaranteed for the occasion by a snow machine.
The event will begin with a presentation of special ornaments made by Henrico youth to promote the 2004 theme for the Capitol tree, "From Virginia--The Birthplace of Presidents." The Henrico Pops Chorus, Henrico Concert Band and Soundworks barbershop chorus will perform holiday music. Activities include horse-drawn carriage rides; Victorian-era ornament making workshops, led by historically costumed interpreters; and recycled ornament making, taught by staff and volunteers from Keep Henrico Beautiful. Refreshments will be available for purchase.
States have alternated providing the holiday tree for the U.S. Capitol since 1964. This year marks Virginia's first time to provide the tree, a 70-foot Virginia red spruce from the George Washington National Forest. It will stop in 34 communities throughout the state before traveling to Washington, D.C. for the official lighting ceremony on Dec. 9.
For more information, call 501-5116 or log onto www.co.henrico.va.us/rec.