Localities unite to address opioid crisis, offer hope to those battling addiction The counties of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico and the city of Richmond launched a website and a yearlong media campaign under the name Opioid Solutions RVA on February 7, 2019 to highlight the dangers of opioid use and to connect those struggling with addiction to information, treatment and resources. The website — OpioidSolutionsRVA.com — provides a comprehensive, regionally-focused clearinghouse of information about opioids as well as services available for treatment, recovery and prevention. It directs those needing immediate help or recovery support to resources, and it offers practical guidance, for example, on discussing pain-relieving alternatives with a doctor as well as what parents can do if their child is suspected of using drugs. The website also will highlight special programs and initiatives, such as drug take-back drives and classes on the administration of naloxone, which can b...

Members of the greater Richmond region are encouraged to participate in a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) survey to help identify where and how to improve the health and well-being of our collective communities. Local public health departments and health systems are working together to conduct the Community Health Needs Assessment. The goal is to collect opinions from a variety of people, including residents, community leaders, businesses and policy-makers. Participant feedback will help shape the future work of local health organizations and determine the types of resources and services that may be available in our communities. The survey can be completed by visiting the Richmond City Health District website at rchd.com. It is available in English and Spanish. For additional information, send an email to the Richmond City Health District at george.jones@vdh.virginia.gov.

Please see the links below to download  FY19 AHTF and FY20 Federal Funding Guidelines  Applications. Click to download - Application Click to download - Announcements

The Conrad Center Career Station for the Office of Community Wealth Building (OCWB) is moving to the East District Initiative (EDI) building at 701 North 25th Street. The move is scheduled for October 15, 2018. The Conrad Center Career Station assists residents seeking employment by offering classes, career planning, coaching and training for in demand occupations, all at no cost to the individual.  The Conrad Center (1400 Oliver Hill Way), will serve as the temporary home for the Cold Weather Overflow Shelter from October 1, 2018 through April 15, 2019. The Cold Weather Overflow Shelter is a public safety program managed by the City of Richmond Department of Social Services. The Cold Weather Overflow Shelter is only open when the overnight temperature is forecasted to drop to 40 degrees or below.   For more information about Community Wealth Building services, please call (804) 646-6374 or visit the OCWB website .   -->

Work will begin on October 6 to retime 300 signalized intersections around the city’s downtown area.  The project is a part of an initiative that began in January and included the retiming of 71 intersections in the Southside and 17 in the Northside.   The city is working on the project in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the Richmond Regional Planning Organization (RRTPO) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).  The retiming initiative began in January and is part of an upcoming comprehensive initiative to deploy low cost, systemic pedestrian safety improvements at signalized intersections through 2020. These improvements include: high visibility crosswalks, accessible ramps, pedestrian countdown signals and improved signal timings. These improvements will increase pedestrian safety on our major arterials citywide at more than 390 signalized intersections.  The project is in alignment with Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s ann...

Mayor Levar M. Stoney today announced he will submit legislation to City Council for its October 8 meeting establishing the Richmond History and Culture Commission. “I think it is important that a city with such a rich culture and complex history as Richmond have an entity dedicated to understanding, evaluating and advancing its significant sites and landscapes,” said Mayor Stoney. In recent years, the City of Richmond has undertaken serious efforts to determine how to effectively tell a more holistic and inclusive narrative of its history, from the work of Slave Trail Commission, to the Monument Avenue Commission, to the recent Urban Land Institute Rose Fellowship focus on Shockoe Valley. “In order to take the next steps forward, we need to create a broad and coherent framework that will seek out the voices of local Richmonders and guide us as we embark upon these important projects,” the mayor added. Commissions dedicated to historic resou...

The City of Richmond’s annual Leaf Collection Program begins October 1.  This season’s program offers several options for leaf pick-up and disposal.  Vacuum service, which begins Nov. 1 can be requested through the RVA311.com customer service portal.  There also will now be an option to have the $30 vacuum service fee included on customer utility bills.  On October 1, residents can call 3-1-1 or 646-LEAF for schedule information or for updates in the event inclement weather causes delays. Residents may also send e-mail inquiries to Leafprogram@richmondgov.com. For more information on the leaf program, such as where residents can dispose of loose leaves on their own or how elderly or disabled city residents may be able to get assistance raking leaves, visit http://www.richmondgov.com/PublicWorks/Leafcollection.aspx