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Chickahominy Health District unveils 2025–2029 Goochland County Community Health Improvement Plan
Summary
Health officials presented a five-year Community Health Improvement Plan focused on older adult support, mental health and attainable housing; presenters invited public participation and warned about $161,000 in federal-grant funding at risk amid a federal shutdown.
The Chickahominy Health District on Nov. 6 presented the Goochland County 2025–2029 Community Health Improvement Plan, identifying older‑adult support and services, mental health and attainable, safe housing as the county’s top public‑health priorities.
Tom Frank, health director for the Chickahominy Health District, said the district—one of 35 under the Virginia Department of Health that serves Goochland, Charles City, Hanover and New Kent counties—used data, key‑informant interviews and a year of community input to shape the plan. "Our role at the health district is to evaluate and monitor progress," Frank said, adding the district will hold partners accountable and assist where they encounter roadblocks.
Emily Hines, population health planning and improvement coordinator, said the plan assigns goals, measurable objectives and responsible entities and emphasized cross‑sector collaboration. The plan’s older‑adult work group set goals to improve health care access, transportation and home‑repair support so residents can age in place, and to expand programs that promote social engagement. The mental‑health work group prioritized increasing access to providers, strengthening referral partnerships and expanding mental‑health awareness and first‑aid training in the community.
Frank also briefed the board on fiscal risks tied to the federal government shutdown: "About 13% of our funding comes from federal grants," he said, and staff presented a rough figure of $161,000 of district grant funding that could be affected. He noted that WIC is funded entirely by federal dollars but said the Virginia Department of Health has contingency plans and that no WIC appointments or staff have been canceled or furloughed to date.
The health district invited residents to an open house Nov. 13 in the county building to meet staff and learn about clinical and environmental‑health services, naloxone education and car‑seat programs. Officials also encouraged residents to read the one‑page summary or the full plan posted on the health district’s website and to sign up for the district’s electronic newsletter to receive quarterly monitoring updates.
Next steps for the plan include regular monitoring by the health district and partner organizations and invitations for residents to join the Goochland Community Partners meetings and implementation work groups.
