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City, school staff to explore switching community mental‑health services from District 19 to Chesterfield
Summary
City staff reported initial outreach to Chesterfield County about taking on community services board responsibilities currently covered by District 19; staff said Chesterfield would want a proposal and cost estimate and that state code requires two years' notice to leave a community services board unless partners agree otherwise.
City and school officials heard a staff briefing on the locality’s participation in District 19’s community services board and next steps to evaluate switching to Chesterfield County.
A city staff member summarized the current arrangement and said Virginia law requires a city or county to be served by a community services board, either alone or in combination with other localities. Staff told members they had met with Chesterfield County administrators and that Chesterfield has indicated it would need a clear proposal from Colonial Heights and a cost estimate before any transition. Staff also reported a state‑law timing requirement that would normally force a two‑year notice period to withdraw from an existing board unless partners agree to an earlier exit.
Officials stressed practical constraints. School and council representatives said staffing and transportation for clients — especially those already accessing District 19 services — would need careful examination. Staff noted Chesterfield does not provide school‑based therapy and that any switch would be city‑led only after detailed review and cost estimates. The staff recommendation was to continue information gathering, ask Chesterfield for service‑cost estimates and then return to the council and school administration with a formal proposal.
"At this time, we haven't, as a city, made a decision to approve moving forward to try to pursue Chesterfield…" a city staff member said, describing the information‑gathering stage. The meeting record shows staff will report back once cost and service details are available.
Next steps: staff will seek a cost estimate from Chesterfield County, review transportation and staffing implications with local law enforcement and school officials, and brief the council and school administration before any formal action.
