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Chickahominy Health District updates New Kent County on 2023–2027 Community Health Improvement Plan
Summary
Health district officials reported progress across three community-selected priorities — mental health and substance use, healthcare access and affordable and safe housing — and outlined specific wins and next steps during the March 10 Board of Supervisors meeting.
Dr. Frank, representing the Chickahominy Health District, and Emily Hines, the district’s population health planning and improvement coordinator, updated the New Kent County Board of Supervisors on progress under the 2023–2027 New Kent County Community Health Improvement Plan on March 10.
Hines said the countywide plan, which launched implementation May 1, 2023, targets three community-selected priorities: mental health and substance use (including nicotine and alcohol), healthcare access and quality, and affordable and safe housing. The plan was created after a community steering committee, surveys with more than 300 responses, key-informant interviews and focus groups.
Hines reported there are 32 strategies across the three priorities: 21 are in progress, 8 are complete and 3 were removed. For mental health and substance use, she said 15 strategies were identified: 8 in progress, 4 completed and 3 removed because local partner capacity was insufficient (one example cited was staffing shortages at a local mental-health organization that prevented planned organizational mental-health trainings).
Highlighted accomplishments include New Kent County Public Schools hiring two student support specialists; New Kent Parks and Recreation installing three “Share the Air” signs at parks; Henrico Mental Health and Developmental Services securing funding for a mobile unit to dispense medication-assisted treatment (MAT); Thrive Virginia establishing a parent support group; United Way-hosted Everyday Strong trainings; and 22 REVIVE (naloxone) trainings held in New Kent.
On healthcare access, Hines cited Bay Transit listening sessions with older adults, the SPAN Center hosting disease-management workshops and coordination of a free health fair that included Purpose Medical Outreach and VCU Massey Cancer Center. For housing, Hines said a county housing advisory committee formed in May 2024 and has three subcommittees (safe housing, new housing and research); the advisory group recently gave a briefing to the board on Feb. 18, she said.
Dr. Frank characterized the plan as a “living document” that the health district monitors quarterly and reports on annually using local data and secondary sources like County Health Rankings and the U.S. Census. Hines urged residents to sign up for a quarterly newsletter and noted the district holds two convenings each year (online or in person) to share progress and solicit updates.
Board members asked for clarification on items marked “removed” under mental health and substance use; Hines said removal reflected partner capacity limits rather than a change in the community’s priorities. Board members also asked whether New Kent has enough primary-care providers; Hines said New Kent’s primary-care physician ratio shows a shortage relative to state benchmarks and that the county has discussed potential pipelines with VCU to expand local capacity.
The Chickahominy Health District will continue quarterly monitoring and provide annual written progress reports available on its website.
