Henrico County Annual Report

Henrico County’s five-member Board of Supervisors establishes policies, approves ordinances and appoints the county manager. Voters in each magisterial district — Brookland, Fairfield, Three Chopt, Tuckahoe and Varina — elect a supervisor to a four-year term. Current terms run through Dec. 31. The individuals elected to the Board on Nov. 7 will serve terms through 2027.

• Meetings: The board meets usually twice per month, on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in the Board Room at the Henrico County Government Center, 4301 E. Parham Road. Public participation is encouraged, either in person or remotely via WebEx.
• Stay Engaged: The public can review meeting agendas and minutes at  henrico.us/supervisors . In addition to providing remote access via WebEx, the board offers a livestream of audio and video of its meetings and recordings of previous meetings at  henrico.us/supervisors/video-of-meetings . Board members’ district meetings also are routinely livestreamed on WebEx.

Dear Henrico County residents and community, On behalf of the Board of Supervisors and all employees of Team Henrico, I am honored to share the Henrico County Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2022-23. These pages provide a window into what we have done – and what we are doing – as we strive to become the best community in which to live, work, play and visit. Every year when I reflect on our accomplishments, I am reminded of hundreds, if not thousands, of conversations with the members of our Board of Supervisors. These exchanges occur in formal meetings, late-night texts and weekend phone calls, and they cover everything from emerging neighborhood concerns to an idea for a new program or initiative. It is how our county has operated and thrived for decades. This year, my interactions with two supervisors stand out. That is because these dedicated public servants – Frank J. Thornton, of the Fairfield District, and Patricia S. O’Bannon, of the Tuckahoe District – will retire Dec. 31 after an amazing 28 years of service to our community, region and commonwealth. It’s fitting that they will step away at the same time because each made history when they took office Jan. 1, 1996. Mr. Thornton became Henrico’s first Black supervisor; Mrs. O’Bannon was the first woman elected to the Board. Despite their considerable accomplishments and trailblazer status, Mr. Thornton and Mrs. O’Bannon have never made themselves the focus of their service. They have always put our county and our residents first. With their leadership, they have provided vision, insisted on excellence and shown empathy, compassion and grace. To say they will be missed is a gross understatement. Fortunately, Mr. Thornton and Mrs. O’Bannon have given our county more than outstanding service over seven four-year terms as supervisors and six years apiece as Board chairman. Over these many years, they have fundamentally and forever made our county stronger, more inclusive and more responsive. I’d like to highlight a few examples, some of which predate my tenure as county manager. Like other members of our Board, Mr. Thornton and Mrs. O’Bannon have been unwavering in their commitment to the highest standards for fiscal management. This philosophy is rooted in our county’s DNA, and it’s been a bedrock of our success for decades. It’s reflected in our low tax rates and triple-AAA bond ratings. It helps to fuel our economy, support our high quality of life, maintain our strong, efficient workforce and find new and innovative ways to ease the tax burden on our residents. Throughout their service, Mr. Thornton and Mrs. O’Bannon also have understood that great schools and other public facilities are essential to a high quality of life. For example, the Tuckahoe Area Library set a new standard for Henrico’s modern, full-service libraries when it opened in 2006. Without Mrs. O’Bannon’s attention to detail, advocacy and commitment to lifelong learning, Henrico might not have the award-winning libraries that our residents enjoy and depend on today. She also played a vital role in the creation and expansion of Tuckahoe Creek Park, which provides unparalleled community access to Tuckahoe Creek for walking, observing wildlife and enjoying the tranquility of nature. Because the park is such a shining example of her service, the county recently named its boardwalk “O’Bannon Way.” Similarly, Mrs. O’Bannon’s devotion to open, transparent government was instrumental in our county offering livestreams of the Board of Supervisors’ public meetings and her own Tuckahoe Town Meetings, which are held – most appropriately – at the Tuckahoe Area Library. These livestreams began well before social media and the pandemic. Encouraging robust engagement with the public is another characteristic of the O’Bannon Way. In much the same way, Mr. Thornton has made constituent service a central theme of his tenure as supervisor. He championed the establishment and more recently the growth of the Henrico Police Athletic League to expand after-school and summer programs for at-risk youth. He also led the push to open the Eastern Henrico Recreation Center in 2011, after a teenager wrote to him about the need for such opportunities in the county’s eastern area. The recreation center helped to spur Henrico’s investment of more than $100 million in community facilities along East Laburnum Avenue – an area that now includes a new Fairfield Area Library and the aptly named Frank J. Thornton YMCA Aquatic Center. By providing community access to indoor pools, the YMCA has fulfilled Mr. Thornton’s original vision for the recreation center. The YMCA, which opened in 2020, is now one of two county-supported, indoor swimming facilities where all Henrico second graders are learning to swim. We can draw a direct line from Mr. Thornton’s empathetic service to our Learn2Swim program and the many recreational opportunities that will save lives and strengthen minds, bodies and families for decades to come.

These pages provide a window into what we have done – and what we are doing – as we strive to become the best community in which to live, work, play and visit. ~ County Manager John A. Vithoulkas

I could continue, but it is worth highlighting several of the county’s recent accomplishments:

• Voters’ overwhelming approval of the 2022 bond referendum, which will allow continued capital investment in schools, parks, fire stations and neighborhood drainage projects. The Board of Supervisors wisely set aside funds in the fiscal 2023-24 budget to begin the planning of several projects, including a new Environmental Education Living Building at Wilton Farm, replacement schools for Jackson Davis Elementary and R.C. Longan Elementary and a new Firehouse 6.
• $26.3 million in tax relief for Henrico residents in 2023. This includes $11.2 million in surplus funds that are being returned this fall through a real estate tax credit of 2 cents per $100 of assessed value. Henrico made history in 2022 when it became the first locality in Virginia to return surplus funds to taxpayers. We’ve done it again in 2023, and we aren’t stopping there.
• A new tax relief proposal for 2024 that will cap the real estate tax bills of qualifying homeowners who are at least age 65 or totally and permanently disabled. The Real Estate CAP (RECAP) program will build on the county’s Real Estate Advantage Program (REAP), which provides a real estate tax exemption up to $3,200 for qualifying homeowners. Both programs recognize the substantial contributions that seniors have made to our county’s success over many decades.
• A fiscal 2023-24 budget that meets our community’s needs in education, public safety and other service areas while providing our government and schools employees with a much-deserved 8.2% pay raise – our largest across-the-board increase in 33 years. In addition, the budget increases the minimum salary of government and school employees to $15 per hour. I want to thank Superintendent Amy E. Cashwell – the Region 1 Superintendent of the Year – for her leadership and continued partnership in building a stronger, more vibrant Henrico.
• An award of $870,511 from the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority as part of a first series of grants from the national opioid settlement by drug distributors and manufacturers. Henrico is using the funds to address some of the devastating effects that the opioid epidemic has had on our community, particularly mothers and their children.
• A 2023 Top Employers for Interns Award for Henrico from the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership and RVA Collab. If you or someone you know is a high school, college or graduate student with an interest in public service, please check us out.
• The final stages of construction of two major projects – the Cobbs Creek Reservoir in eastern Cumberland County and the Henrico Sports & Events Center at Virginia Center Commons. The $280 million reservoir is expected to begin drawing from the nearby James River in 2024. The $50 million indoor sports venue will provide a major attraction along Interstate 95 for tournaments, competitions, trade shows, concerts, graduations and more. So far, more than 42 organizations have scheduled 185 dates through 2024.

Without a doubt, there’s plenty happening in Henrico and many reasons for excitement. As always, we thank you for your interest and invite you to join us as we build a stronger community for everyone.

Site work for a new South Station for the Police Division is expected to begin in October following the Board of Supervisors’ approval of a $15.2 million construction contract. The 19,900-square-foot facility is planned on 11 acres at 640 N. Airport Drive and will replace the Fair Oaks Station, which has operated in leased space. The new station, tentatively targeted for completion in early 2025, will house units assigned to patrol, special operations and emergency response. The station will include administrative offices, training and conference rooms, breakrooms, exercise and locker facilities and a garage bay. It also will house an emergency communications training center, which could serve as a backup 911 call center in an emergency, as well as a 5,000-square-foot K-9 training facility, with a fenced, outdoor training area.

Henrico’s Encore program, announced in February, is helping to meet critical staffing needs, particularly with the Police and Fire divisions, Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Communications. The program, promoted with the tagline “The Right Time for Part Time,” is designed to entice qualified, retired county employees to fill temporary, part-time positions. Those hired are paid at the hourly rate they were receiving at the time of their retirement, not the market rate. About 45 workers were filling positions through the Encore program as of early July. They included school resource and communications officers, deputies and firefighters assigned to the CARE Team, training, advanced and basic life support, and the Fire Marshal’s Office.

The Police Division in October launched a website –  joinhenricopolice.com  – to streamline and enhance its efforts to recruit candidates for sworn and civilian positions. The website, which attracted an estimated 7,000 visitors over its first 10 months, was developed in partnership with the Department of Information Technology.

The Animal Protection Unit in July 2022 was added to the Police Division’s section of specialized units to provide uniformity to its operations and greater flexibility in hiring and assigning officers. The unit’s approximately 15 sworn staff members were upgraded to the positions of captain, sergeant and officer, and assigned the same style of uniform worn by fellow officers in the division’s field operations.

The Board of Supervisors established the Department of Emergency Communications as an independent agency, beginning with fiscal year 2023-24. The department operates the county’s 911 call center, processing emergency and nonemergency calls for Police, Fire and medical assistance. Formerly operating as part of the Police Division, the department has a staff of 90 and a budget of $8.97 million for fiscal 2023-24.

In collaboration with Henrico County Public Schools, the Police Division won an Achievement Award from the Virginia Association of Counties for an initiative that promoted fellowship and understanding among police officers and students at Varina High School. Over a meal prepared by the school’s culinary arts students, the youth and officers asked questions of each other, shared their perspectives and enjoyed a free-flowing conversation that allowed for candid, constructive engagement. About two dozen students and officers participated in the Gray and Blue and Gold Luncheon.

The Police Division in March began to equip its officers with new class A, B and C uniforms. While there are some differences, each class features a French blue dress shirt and dark navy pants. Officers on patrol will wear an outer vest with multiple storage pouches, allowing them to carry less equipment – and reduce the weight – on their belts. As many as four items, such as a radio and handcuffs, can be carried on the vest. The uniforms are being distributed gradually through fall 2024.

In June, Henrico transitioned to a new, high-speed community alert system, which can send messages to landline phones, mobile phones and other electronic devices in a targeted area in the event of a missing person, active crime scene, evacuation order or other emergency. Everbridge replaced the county’s previous alert system, CodeRED, and offers such enhanced features as monthly updates of resident contact information and an expanded reach. The system will display phone calls from (804) 501-4102 and emails from  everbridge@henrico.us . Everbridge is administered by the Department of Emergency Management and Workplace Safety. To register, go to  henricoalert.org .

Staples Mill Firehouse 20 has been one of the busiest fire stations since it opened Jan. 4 on Willis Road. Its crews handled 2,672 calls for service through June 30 – the fourth most for the period among the county’s 22 firehouses. Firehouse 20 contains 13,850 square feet of space, with individual bunk rooms as well as fitness facilities and a dayroom plus four drive-thru bays for vehicles and equipment. The $10 million station was funded through the 2016 bond referendum and designed to meet Silver standards of the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program of the U.S. Green Building Council. Site work started in August for Newbridge Firehouse 23 at 5619 Nine Mile Road. The $11.8 million station, also funded through the voter-approved bond referendum, is expected to open in February 2025. The 12,515-square-foot station will feature three drive-thru bays as well as individual bunk rooms, a kitchen, fitness facilities and a dayroom.

Crews with the Division of Fire and Virginia Department of Forestry in February extinguished a brush fire that destroyed about 70 acres of vegetation and wildlands near Deep Bottom Boat Landing. The blaze was marked under control after about five hours with no injuries or damage to structures. Crews had to rely on tankers to replenish the fire engines’ onboard water supplies because no hydrants were in the rural area. Officials declared the fire an accident and described it as a “once-in-a-decade” event based on its massive scale.

The Division of Fire’s CARE Team, which provides enhanced support for residents with unmet needs, was recognized in March as a recipient of the Randy R. Bruegman Agency Innovation Award by the Center for Public Safety Excellence. The CARE (Community, Assistance, Resources and Education) Team, established in 2018, works with residents who frequently call 911 for nonemergency needs. By pursuing solutions outside of an emergency response, the CARE Team strives to meet the community’s needs while freeing first responders to focus on emergencies.

Jackson P.F. Baynard was appointed chief of the Division of Fire in January. Kevin M. Pond was named chief of Emergency Communications in June. Judge Nicole L. Fox joined the General District Court in April. Carol B. Kennedy was named the court’s clerk in February.

The Division of Fire in August earned reaccreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. Fire has been accredited six times by CFAI since 1998. The designation lasts five years and reflects Fire’s commitment to providing outstanding, prompt emergency services to the community.

Firefighter Steve Whitson died unexpectedly April 6 after completing a shift. He served the Division of Fire for 17 years and previously worked for the Sheriff’s Office for 16 years. On April 19, Fire led a funeral procession to a memorial service at Fairmount Christian Church. About 200 members of the division were able to attend as Fire and EMS crews from across the region and state staffed Henrico’s firehouses during the day.

About 90,000 single-family homes across Henrico received 95-gallon recycling carts as part of a $5.7 million initiative to promote recycling. The county collaborated with Central Virginia Waste Management Authority, which oversees the curbside recycling program, and The Recycling Partnership to provide the carts at no cost to the user. The carts, which were funded with $4.3 million from Henrico and $1.4 million from The Recycling Partnership, were distributed in May and June to replace 24-gallon handheld bins.

Henrico is preparing to begin construction on its first phase of the Fall Line Trail, which will extend 43 miles between Ashland and Petersburg. The multiuse, recreational trail’s Park Street phase – between Bryan Park and Spring Park – is expected to be advertised for construction in September, with an opening targeted for next spring. Right-of-way acquisition is underway for the county’s six other phases. Each is expected to be advertised for construction in 2024 and to open in 2025.

With a water main extension to 37 homes in the Rock Springs Estates community, the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has completed the first of 31 projects to expand access to public water and sanitary sewer systems in areas throughout the county. Funded with $64 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, the projects will provide 700 properties with connections to public utilities, allowing residents to discontinue using private wells and septic systems. A project to extend public water to 25 homes in Greenwood Estates is underway; 29 other projects throughout the county are under design. As part of the effort, the county is assisting residents with connection costs and plumbing services. The projects also will extend utilities to a 200-acre site on Kain Road where the county plans to develop a park, animal shelter and other facilities.

An estimated $200 million to $300 million project to improve highway safety and traffic flow in the Short Pump area advanced in June with a conditional approval from the Federal Highway Administration. In partnership with the Virginia Department of Transportation, Henrico has begun the project’s detailed design phase, land acquisition and funding plan. Among other improvements, the project would include a new diamond-shaped Interstate 64 interchange at North Gayton Road and a reconstructed I-64 interchange at West Broad Street. It also would include improvements on I-295 between I-64 and Nuckols Road and on West Broad between Cox Road and Pouncey Tract Road. Seven traffic fatalities, 475 vehicle crashes with injuries and 1,324 crashes with property damage occurred in the project area from January 2017 to September 2022.

A newly improved stretch of Horsepen Road by the Tuckahoe Volunteer Rescue Squad (TVRS) now honors the first and only squad member to be killed in the line of duty. Officials unveiled signs for the Honorary Raymond H. Therien Way, between Patterson Avenue and Three Chopt Road, at a ribbon-cutting event in March. A $1.8 million project extended Horsepen’s right turn lane at its intersection with Three Chopt and realigned a section of Normandy Drive approaching Horsepen. It also provided more parking and access improvements for TVRS, installed a guardrail to enhance safety and extended a public utilities access road south of the building.

Site work started in March on a $14.2 million project to improve Creighton Road between Sandy Lane and North Laburnum Avenue. Targeted for completion in 2025, the project will realign 0.4 miles of Creighton, making it straighter and safer and widening it to a four-lane, divided roadway. The new road will feature sidewalks on each side as well as curb and gutter. Drainage improvements throughout the project area will address chronic flooding. In addition, Creighton’s intersection with Sandy Lane will be upgraded, and a new section of Dabbs House Road will be built, bringing its intersection with Laburnum farther south from where the roads currently connect.

After six years of site work, construction is nearly complete on the Cobbs Creek Reservoir – the largest public utilities project in Henrico’s history. The 1,117-acre reservoir in eastern Cumberland County is expected to be able to begin drawing water from the nearby James River in 2024, helping to secure Henrico’s drinking water needs for potentially five decades. The $280 million, 14.8-billion-gallon facility will be able to release stored water back into the James, as needed in periods of drought, to augment flows upriver from the county’s main intake. Healthy river levels also will support aquatic life and ensure a more sustainable waterway.

Construction is underway on a sidewalk along a portion of Hungary Road that will help provide 6.5 miles of continuous connectivity to neighborhoods, businesses and community facilities in the area. Scheduled for completion next spring, the new sidewalk will extend 0.7 miles along the north side of Hungary between Hardings Way Drive and Hungary Spring Road. Across the county, the Department of Public Works has built more than 15 miles of sidewalks and shared-use paths in the past five years. A total of 26 miles of sidewalks and 17 miles of shared-use paths are set to be added over the next three years.

The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) tested nearly 300 private wells and installed water filtration systems at five homes after potentially harmful chemicals known as PFAS/PFOS were detected in the county’s eastern area. The initiative, which carried no cost to the residents, was recognized with an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo). DPU also received a NACo award in 2022 for its work to address community concerns about the issue. For information on testing, contact DPU at  water@henrico.us  or (804) 501-7540.

The first phase of a $33 million project to widen Richmond-Henrico Turnpike between East Laburnum Avenue and the CSX railroad from two lanes to four lanes is nearing completion. The northern section – between the railroad, near Azalea Avenue, and Hummingbird Road – is expected to open in September. Utilities are being relocated for the southern section, between Hummingbird and Laburnum. That section is expected to be advertised for construction in November 2024. The nearly 1.9-mile project is being funded through Henrico’s voter-approved 2016 bond referendum and Hillwood Enterprises’ development of an Amazon Robotics Fulfillment Center. The project includes upgraded traffic signals, a 16-foot-wide raised median and a sidewalk and shared-use path.

With Staples Mill Firehouse 20 and three schools – Holladay Elementary, J.R. Tucker High and Highland Springs High – added to the fold in 2023, Henrico increased to 22 its number of government and school buildings earning LEED certification for their sustainable design and construction. The U.S. Green Building Council’s internationally recognized program evaluates construction projects for such strategies as location, site design, water and energy efficiency, building material selection, daylight and views, and indoor air quality. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Among Henrico’s LEED-endorsed buildings, 12 are recognized at the Gold level; and 10 others at Silver.

In collaboration with Henrico County Public Schools and the nonprofit Capital Trees, Henrico in May launched an initiative to expand and strengthen tree canopies at the county’s parks and schools. For its pilot phase, the reforestation program is focusing on Deep Run and Cheswick parks as well as John Rolfe and Fairfield middle schools, where career and technical education students will be involved in the surveying and planting. Over time, the program is expected to provide hundreds of tree plantings and new practices to promote healthy growth and regeneration of woods and forests. The county is paying $50,000 annually to Capital Trees, which is advising on training, purchasing, planting and maintenance as well as helping to apply for grants and coordinate an annual volunteer event. Henrico is administering the program, establishing its budget, handling purchasing and overseeing all planting and maintenance.

The county’s efforts to promote and create a more environmentally resilient community are coalescing around a new committee – Henrico’s Environmental Action Resource Team (HEART). Recognizing that sustainability touches practically all aspects of local government, HEART’s 30 members include representatives of various agencies, including the County Manager’s Office, Keep Henrico Beautiful, Energy Management, Recreation & Parks, Public Utilities, Public Works and Public Relations. The committee uses various tools, including its website, podcast and cartoon mascot – a stewardship-advocating turtle named Stewart – to promote greater awareness of Henrico’s efforts and benefits of environmentally sustainable practices. It also is working to encourage developers and residents to plant environmentally resilient native species as well as to have the county include such features as lockers, bike racks and water-bottle-filling stations when planning bike trails, paths and other active transportation projects. HEART welcomes public input through its website, which also includes a dashboard that tracks the county’s energy use. The committee focuses on energy and resource conservation; green space and recreation; mobility and active transportation; and water resources. For more information, go to  henrico.us/heart .

To help reduce landfill waste, particularly from single-use plastics, Keep Henrico Beautiful (KHB) continues to offer reusable grocery bags to residents, including at local stores and various community events. KHB ordered 5,000 bags that feature Henrico’s seal and Stewart the Turtle, the cartoon mascot of Henrico’s Environmental Action Resource Team (HEART). As an environmental steward, Stewart invites shoppers to “Choose to Reuse.”

Energy Management in July was approved as a Virginia Environmental Excellence Program Sustainability Partner. The Department of Environmental Quality’s Office of Pollution Prevention uses the program to encourage large public and private organizations to make environmental sustainability part of their culture through leadership, innovation and continual improvement.

With rooftop systems generating solar energy at six county government and school buildings, Henrico is working to install solar panels on 2 acres at the closed Springfield Road Landfill. Dominion Energy Solutions, a subsidiary of Dominion Energy, is designing the 312-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system under a lease agreement approved by the Board of Supervisors in January. When the system becomes operational, in likely 2025, Henrico will purchase the electricity generated to provide up to 100% of the power needed to operate the nearby Allen’s Branch Sewage Pump Station. That will result in an estimated savings of $600,000 to $700,000 on electricity costs over the 30-year lease term. Since 2019, the county has partnered with Sun Tribe Solar to install rooftop solar systems at Highland Springs High School, J.R. Tucker High School, Holladay Elementary School, the Public Safety Building, Libbie Mill Library and the Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services East Center. Dominion Energy Solutions also was involved in the latter four projects.

Nearly 1,700 youth gained a better understanding and appreciation of agriculture through the Henrico 4-H AGventure Days project. Students at 19 elementary schools and four middle schools participated in more than 40 interactive lessons. They covered such topics as test tube hydroponics, desktop greenhouses, owl pellet dissection and apple tree grafting. The project was coordinated by the Henrico Office of Virginia Cooperative Extension and held in June in conjunction with 2023 Virginia Ag Literacy Week.

Henrico County Public Schools in April opened a 48,000-square-foot Adult Education Center in a converted retail space at Regency. The center gives career and technical education students a variety of hands-on learning opportunities to pursue careers, apprenticeships, certifications and licenses. It also offers traditional learning programs for adults, including in financial literacy. The center was recognized in one of HCPS’ 26 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties and in one of its three awards from the Virginia Association of Counties.

Nuckols Farm Elementary School was named a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. It is the only Henrico school to earn the honor twice, in 2012 and 2022. Established in 1982, the program recognizes public and private elementary, middle and high schools for academic excellence or progress in closing achievement gaps.

Henrico County Public Schools in January opened the Oak Avenue Complex – the county’s first full-service community school. Located in the former Highland Springs High School building, “The Oak” hosted more than 40 meetings and events, offering programs and community resources to support educational, health and other needs of individuals and families. For example, the site’s food pantry served an average of 20 families per week. A program aimed at strengthening families averaged about 10 parents per week. Initiatives planned for the fall include a community clothing closet and programs to promote early learning as well as college and career opportunities. The Oak also houses the middle school campus of the An Achievable Dream Certified Academy and serves as a temporary home of the Advanced Career Education Center at Highland Springs.

On top of the county’s 8.2% pay raise for government and schools employees and new $15 minimum hourly wage, Henrico County Public Schools implemented additional measures to address its staffing needs. The new Opportunity Schools initiative provides enhanced staffing support for select schools with high rates of vacant positions and provisionally licensed staff. In addition, fully licensed instructional staff can qualify for a pay supplement. HCPS also implemented a systemwide referral program that provides a $1,000 bonus to employees who refer an applicant who is ultimately hired full time. HCPS also expanded its Career Ladder program, supported licensure for staffers who are provisionally licensed and boosted opportunities for substitute teachers.

The renovated portions of the Advanced Career Education (ACE) centers at Highland Springs and Hermitage high schools opened in August with the start of the 2023-24 school year. The $54.4 million project, which also includes an expansion of both ACE centers, started in October 2022. At the Highland Springs ACE Center, the former Hudson Gym is being converted to the Hudson Building and will add 27,365 square feet of space by November. At the Hermitage ACE Center, a new 72,264-square-foot building, with 27,771 square feet of space to be finished by students, is expected to open by December. A request for construction bids is expected to be released in late fall for a renovation of Jacob Adams Elementary School. The project is funded with $19 million from Henrico’s voter-approved 2016 bond referendum.

The Henrico Economic Development Authority earned an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties for hosting a summit that explored ways to promote growth through an expansion of global internet infrastructure. The IEIC (Internet Ecosystem Innovation Committee) Global NAP Summit 2.0, held last November, attracted policymakers, industry leaders and others who share a vision for leveraging innovations in digital connectivity to propel economic growth. Henrico is home to the Richmond Network Access Point, or NAP – a convergence of critical infrastructure in the transmission of digital data, including four subsea cables, land networks and data centers.

Henrico earned a 2023 Area Development Silver Shovel Award for Thermo Fisher Scientific’s state-of-the-art clinical research facilities, which have brought $97 million in investment and 500 jobs to the county and region. In Henrico, the company operates facilities on Quioccasin and Dabney roads. The county has received a total of four Silver or Gold Shovel Awards during the past three years in recognition of its efforts to attract jobs and high-quality economic development.

Two communities of western Henrico – Short Pump and Innsbrook – were named in April to Stacker’s list of Best Places to Live in America. Innsbrook ranked 19th, followed by Short Pump at 47th in the listing that noted their high quality of life, affordable cost of living and various amenities. Richmond International Airport in July was named the most efficient airport in North America of its size by the Air Transport Research Society. The award follows improvements that include an expansion of the airport’s Concourse A and upgrades to its customs service area.

The Innsbrook Technology Zone has attracted hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars in investment following its establishment by the Board of Supervisors, effective July 1, 2022. So far, three companies – EAB, Berkshire Hathaway GT&S and Genworth – have established a presence in the zone, providing a combined 460 jobs and $49 million in investment. The zone targets various businesses, including health and life sciences, finance and insurance, by offering permit fee waivers and other incentives for qualifying investments.

The Henrico Economic Development Authority announced eight projects, representing businesses new to the county or expansions of existing companies. They account for a total investment of $160.6 million, more than 1,200 new or retained jobs and the use of 1.52 million square feet of space.

• QTS $144 million investment QTS in July 2022 announced it would expand its 1.3 million square-foot data center footprint in Henrico. The Kansas-based company will construct 1.5 million square feet in new buildings at White Oak Technology Park.
• Berkshire Hathaway Energy GT&S 200 jobs, $16 million investment Berkshire Hathaway Energy GT&S in December moved its headquarters from Reynolds Crossing to the Innsbrook Corporate Center. The company occupies two class-A buildings encompassing about 192,000 square feet of space.
• Richmond National Group 100+ new jobs, $350,000 investment Richmond National Group, a specialty property, casualty and business insurer, in May announced continued investment in Henrico, with plans for a 7,200-square-foot expansion of its current space on Westerre Parkway. Henrico competed with Chicago and North Carolina for the project.

For decades, community-focused planning, continued investment in public facilities and infrastructure, and a healthy balance of residential, commercial and industrial development have made Henrico a great place for families and businesses. The map below highlights key development and redevelopment projects that are planned, under construction or recently completed.

To continue to attract investment and redevelopment, Henrico’s Enterprise Zone designation was extended through 2027 with the state’s approval of an application by the Department of Community Revitalization. In fiscal 2022-23, 21 local grants totaling $106,948 helped to generate a private investment of $777,474 in properties within the zone. Similarly, 16 state grants totaling $1.2 million supported more than $20.5 million in improvements in calendar 2022. The state grants represent the largest aggregate total and the highest number of recipients from the county’s Enterprise Zone program since 2008. The investments improved business properties along Staples Mill, Brook and Nine Mile roads, West Broad and Caskie streets, Seven Hills Boulevard and East Laburnum, Carolina and Lincoln avenues. An additional business received a $46,136 grant for job creation. For more information on the Enterprise Zone program, go to  henrico.us/revit/enterprise-zone .

The Department of Building Construction and Inspections issued 15,322 permits for work with a combined value of $1.48 billion in fiscal 2022-23. The activity reflects a 6% decrease in the number of permits and a 2% increase in work value from the prior year.

The Department of General Services is overseeing more than $5.5 million in renovation and improvement projects at Henrico’s government centers.

• Henrico County Government Center – A $1.3 million office renovation for the Department of Planning is expected to be complete in late 2024. A $1.1 million office renovation for the Office of Voter Registration and Elections is expected to be complete in March. Office renovations for the Department of Public Utilities are nearly finished, while work for the Department of Public Works is expected to be finished in November.
• Eastern Government Center – A $1.1 million renovation of county government office space, with security enhancements and improved office and drive-thru customer service areas, is expected to be complete in late 2024.
• Jail West – A $2 million project that includes a kitchen renovation and various security improvements is expected to be complete by fall 2024.

Henrico’s longstanding strategy for enhancing opportunities for affordable homeownership has evolved from one focused mainly on the renovation and construction of individual homes. As of this spring, the county had partnered with several nonprofit housing developers – Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity, project:Homes and Maggie Walker Community Land Trust (MWCLT) – to sell 13 new or renovated homes to working individuals and families with lower or moderate incomes. More recently, efforts led by the Department of Community Revitalization have broadened to include plans for 32 homes in two subdivisions in the Varina District. The homes will be made affordable in perpetuity through an arrangement that will allow MWCLT to retain ownership of the land, thereby reducing the buyer’s mortgage costs. Eligible buyers will be individuals and families earning no more than 115% of the area’s median income. Twelve affordable homes and nine market-rate homes will be built in the River East subdivision, which is planned along New Market Road by MWCLT. An additional 20 affordable homes will be included in the Arcadia development, which is planned along Willson Road by East West Communities. For both developments, Henrico will contribute $1.3 million to the land trust, which will raise an additional $650,000 from other sources. MWCLT plans to purchase the 20 lots in the Arcadia development in 2025. In addition, Community Revitalization partnered with project:Homes and Habitat for Humanity to repair or rehabilitate 77 homes owned by low-income individuals and families. The improvements were supported by federal Community Development Block Grant and Housing Opportunities Made Equal funds.

With a $501,620 grant awarded through the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative, Henrico is working to extend broadband internet service to the county’s remote southeastern area. In partnership with All Points Broadband, the county is proposing a $6.5 million project through which the company and Dominion Energy would install the fiber to carry high-speed internet service to all currently unserved areas. That reflects an estimated 412 addresses, including 376 homes, 22 businesses and 14 others, such as churches, nonprofit organizations and county facilities. The project is expected to require about two years of construction.

The Department of Community Revitalization won an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties for an online database and map that help residents identify the homeowners’ association for a particular area as well as its boundaries. The HOA Lookup Feature also provides a link to information on file with the State Corporation Commission, including the association’s status and mailing address. It also offers guidance for reviewing any homeowners’ association declarations that may be filed with the Henrico Circuit Court. For more information, go to  henrico.us/services/homeowner-association-lookup .

The nonprofit Housing Families First in June completed a $4.4 million renovation of the Hilliard House Shelter, a short-term emergency shelter for families. The project, which was supported with $200,000 from Henrico, has allowed the organization to provide additional beds and services for families experiencing homelessness.

With housing costs rising faster than salaries, Henrico and other partners hosted the Greater Richmond Employer Housing Forum to give senior business leaders an opportunity to learn about the benefits of employer-assisted homeownership programs. Like tuition-reimbursement programs, employer-assisted homeownership programs are designed to help first-time homebuyers with down payment and closing cost assistance through forgivable loans, matched savings accounts and other tools. The forum was held in June at the Virginia Housing Center in Innsbrook. Its organizers also included ChamberRVA, LISC, PlanRVA, Partnership for Affordable Housing and Virginia Housing.

The Board of Supervisors in June established a program to help qualifying county and school employees buy their first homes in Henrico. The Henrico County Home Purchase Assistance Program, administered by the Department of Community Revitalization and funded initially at $2 million, will offer forgivable loans of up to $20,000 per employee subject to sales price and household income limitations of Virginia Housing. Open to eligible employees of Henrico’s government, its constitutional officers and Henrico County Public Schools, the program is designed to help attract and retain high-quality employees and to promote housing affordability.

The Department of Planning continues to encourage public input and engagement in the county’s efforts to update its comprehensive plan. The process – known as HenricoNext – has already reached more than 5,500 residents. Staff has provided information at about 20 community events and meetings, and an online interactive map has received nearly 300 comments. Planning also has given group presentations and launched Meeting in a Box, an activity to help gatherings of residents and other stakeholders lead their own discussions on the county’s future growth, including challenges and opportunities. More than 3,000 public comments have been received to shape elements of a draft comprehensive plan. Once it’s prepared, the draft plan, including a future land use map, will be released for review and comment by the public and ultimately the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors. More information is at  henriconext.us .

The Division of Recreation & Parks won an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo) for Park Mobile, an initiative that brings programs and activities to parks to spur engagement with visitors. Launched in 2020 in response to the isolation from the COVID-19 pandemic, Park Mobile offered 157 programs with 5,291 participants in 2022, an increase from 72 programs and 2,700 participants in 2021. Recreation & Parks also received a NACo award – as well as a Virginia Association of Counties award – for the Parsons Community Center at the Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park. The center, rededicated and renamed in 2021 in memory of an enslaved family that lived at Meadow Farm, includes new exhibits that reflect the full cultural history of the property.

Henrico recognized retiring Tuckahoe District Supervisor Patricia S. O’Bannon’s extensive contributions and legacy of service, with a surprise announcement that the boardwalk on Tuckahoe Creek would be named “O’Bannon Way.” At the June event, officials unveiled a sign at Tuckahoe Creek Park’s trailhead near Ridgefield Parkway that displays “O’Bannon Way” in bold, gold lettering above a plaque that includes the supervisor’s portrait, years of service (1996 to 2023) and record of promoting “Government Efficiency, Transparency & Engagement with the Community.” A longtime champion of Tuckahoe Creek Park and the first woman elected to the Board of Supervisors, O’Bannon plans to retire when her seventh term ends Dec. 31.

John Zannino was appointed director of Recreation & Parks in January.

More than 17,000 residents headed to Dorey and Crump parks for a pair of free, signature summer events presented by the Division of Recreation and Parks. The Henrico County Juneteenth Celebration, held June 17 at Dorey, commemorated the end of slavery in the United States. The celebration featured live performances, a vendor fair, historical and educational exhibits, a kids’ zone and fireworks. Henrico’s 2022 Juneteenth Celebration earned an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties. Red, White and Lights – the county’s traditional celebration of Independence Day – returned to Crump on July 4, with an evening of music, food and other entertainment, including a performance of patriotic music by the Richmond Symphony set to a laser-light show.

Henrico’s fifth spray park opened in June at Dorey Park, providing youth and families with another place to stay cool in the summer. The 2,500-square-foot splash pad joins the county’s spray parks at Dunncroft/Castle Point, Short Pump and Twin Hickory parks and the Eastern Henrico Recreation Center.

Henrico County Public Library (HCPL) earned three Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) for supportive, engaging programs for tweens and teens – a group that faced acute challenges with isolation during the pandemic. HCPL collaborated with Henrico resident and Newbery Award-winning author Meg Medina to host a series of open-ended discussions for tweens. The Open Book discussions allowed the bestselling author and participants to share ideas and discuss empowering themes. In addition to earning a NACo award, the program has become the basis for Medina’s campaign, Cuéntame, as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature to the Library of Congress. HCPL also received NACo awards for its:

• Anime Club at Highland Springs High School, which allows teens to connect over their appreciation of Japanese art and culture
• Role-Playing Game programming, which started with small meetups for teens to play Dungeons & Dragons and has expanded to include additional games, age groups and connections to fantasy books.

The innovative, award-winning Computer Work and Play Stations that have continued to capture media attention are expected to be installed at all Henrico County Public Library (HCPL) locations over the next year. The initiative is supported by a $35,000 grant from Meta and additional funding from the Friends of the Henrico County Public Library. The workstations, inspired by HCPL Director Barbara Weedman’s early experiences as a single mother, feature a computer desk with an adjacent enclosure for young children to play or rest. They debuted with the Fairfield Area Library’s opening in 2019 and were included in the Sandston Branch Library’s recent upgrade. After getting viral attention on social media in early 2022, the workstations saw further media coverage in the past year, including on the national CBS Evening News, The Drew Barrymore Show, Insider and Upworthy. In February, the workstations and HCPL received the 2023 Innovation in Government Award from the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University.

The Sandston Branch Library reopened in November after a series of improvements that underscore Henrico County Public Library’s (HCPL) commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability. As part of its “refresh,” the library received energy efficient light fixtures and eco-friendly landscaping, which requires minimal watering. The project, which cost more than $400,000, also brought fresh paint, new carpeting, shelving and audio-video equipment, and repaved parking lots. In November, the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council recognized HCPL’s use of sustainable design to reduce energy consumption. HCPL has five LEED-certified libraries; Libbie Mill Library also has rooftop solar panels. The Fairfield Area Library, which is LEED-certified and has a rooftop solar system under design, in November received a People’s Choice Award and Innovative New Construction Award from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Virginia Chapter.

All Henrico Reads returned as an in-person event in March with bestselling author Jamie Ford discussing his acclaimed novel “The Many Daughters of Afong Moy” at J.R. Tucker High School. With more than 700 guests in attendance, Ford also detailed his Chinese American heritage and explained how his research into lesser-known chapters of Chinese American history informed his epic, speculative family saga. Henrico County Public Library partnered with the Asian American Society of Central Virginia to present All Henrico Reads, which was followed in May by a panel discussion that featured residents profiled in the society’s book “Portraits of Immigrant Voices.” All Henrico Reads, sponsored by the Friends of Henrico County Public Library and held in partnership with Henrico County Public Schools, will feature bestselling author and producer Cheryl Strayed and her memoir “Wild” at the Henrico Sports & Events Center on March 28.

More than 65 area youth travel and recreation league teams competed in the inaugural Henrico Baseball Classic. The tournament, held Memorial Day weekend at RF&P, Tuckahoe and Dorey parks, was created by the Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority (HSEA) with Glen Allen-based Premier Sporting Events of Virginia to showcase the county’s players and teams in the 8-and-under through 14-and-under age divisions. To further support the community, HSEA led a drive that collected more than 100 pieces of baseball and softball equipment for donation to area youth.

The Henrico Sports & Events Center is expected to open in October at Virginia Center Commons, providing a 185,000-square-foot indoor venue for tournaments, competitions, trade shows, concerts, graduations and more. The $50 million facility is being developed through Henrico’s agreement with the Rebkee Co., which is redeveloping the mall property. So far, 42 organizations have scheduled 185 dates, including tournaments, practices, meetings and other events, through 2024. The events include the Adult and Junior Division National Wheelchair Basketball Championships in April 2024 and the Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball Championship in March 2024 and 2025. The Sports & Events Center also will include the first regional exhibit of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and be managed by ASM Global.

Henrico continued to attract visitors and spending through sports tourism, with 136 tournaments held at county sports complexes and facilities in 2022. Of the total, the Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority coordinated 62 events that generated $64.4 million in economic impact, which includes visitor spending at hotels, restaurants and other activity. Recent events included the Babe Ruth Baseball 13-Year-Old World Series, held in August at RF&P Park. It was the sixth time the event had been played in Henrico during the past 16 years. The county’s success luring premier events continued in 2023, with the first international quadball championship to be played in the United States. The IQA World Cup, held in July at Glover Park, attracted 15 teams from across the globe and concluded with the USA winning its fourth title.

The nonprofit Henrico Police Athletic League (PAL) in July cut the ribbon on its new home in the former MathScience Innovation Center in the Central Gardens neighborhood. The facility, which is leased by the county at no cost, houses Henrico PAL’s administrative offices and its youth programs and clubs. The nonprofit, established in 2007 to support at-risk youth and strengthen bonds between law enforcement officers and communities, is preparing a capital campaign to outfit the property with a gymnasium, dancing and boxing studios, a multipurpose room and classrooms that will offer instruction in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and math) as well as access to esports.

The inaugural Teen Summit RVA gave about 600 youth from across the region a fun way to connect and engage on issues that matter most to them. The event, held in March at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, sought to help area teens confront a rise in youth violence and other challenges that emerged during the period of isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Henrico, Chesterfield County and the City of Richmond presented the summit with support from the Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond and Virginia Career Works. The second-annual Teen Summit RVA is planned for March at the convention center. In further collaboration with area teens, Henrico is working in other ways to prevent youth violence:

•  Henricoprevention.org  was expanded to include a clearinghouse of community partners providing information and resources on such issues as anxiety, healthy relationships, food insecurity, gun safety, academic support and out-of-school activities
• A mascot – a dog named AGI, for “Anti-Gun Initiative” – is being created to deliver positive messaging on youth violence prevention and intervention.

Started from a private garage in 2021, the Henrico Community Food Bank has settled into a new home with the county’s support and is delivering emergency food to about 300 county households, representing 1,000 individuals, each month. The nonprofit expects to have provided perishable and nonperishable food assistance to about 10,000 individuals by December. The pantry opened its administrative offices in the former MathScience Innovation Center in January, under a no-cost lease from the county. The food bank operates on a delivery-only model; walk-up service is not available. Henrico residents can reach the food bank at (804) 549-6609 or  info@henricocommunityfoodbank.org .

My Henrico Academy, a free program that celebrates the county’s cultural diversity and promotes engagement with immigrants and descendants, has begun its third session, with 29 participants representing 16 countries, 18 ethnicities/nationalities and 20 native languages. Since May, the group has met monthly to interact with county officials and tour facilities to learn how the county serves the community. My Henrico Academy has more than 40 graduates who are encouraged to remain engaged and serve as community ambassadors. Registration for the 2024 session is expected to open in January at  henrico.us/services/my-henrico-academy .

For the second consecutive year, Henrico is giving the owners of residential and business properties a credit on their real estate taxes to help offset rising values. Property owners are receiving an amount equal to 2 cents per $100 of their real estate’s taxable value for 2023. Individual credits of $30 or more will be paid in 95,000 checks issued in September, just before the mailing of 2023’s second installment real estate tax bills. Amounts less than $30 are being credited directly on 16,000 bills. Overall, the tax credit is returning to property owners $11.2 million that otherwise would have gone into the county’s fund balance. In 2022, Henrico became the first locality to return surplus real estate taxes to property owners under a 2005 Virginia law. Like this year’s credit, the 2022 credit provided an amount equal to 2 cents per $100 of a property’s taxable value. It was part of the county’s 2+2 plan, which also included a 2-cent cut to the real estate tax rate, from 87 to 85 cents per $100 of assessed value. The 2+2 plan received an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties.

The Board of Supervisors is considering a proposal to offer additional tax relief to homeowners who are at least age 65 or totally and permanently disabled. The Real Estate Cap Program (RECAP) will build on the county’s Real Estate Advantage Program (REAP). REAP provides a real estate tax exemption up to $3,200 for qualifying homeowners with a household income up to $75,000 and a net worth up to $500,000. RECAP would cap the annual real estate tax bills of qualifying homeowners at the amounts billed when they entered the program. This would occur by providing a real estate tax exemption equal to the difference between the tax amount for the new year and the tax amount from the base year, regardless of increases in assessed value. Homeowners who are at least 65 or disabled could qualify for RECAP with a maximum household income of $105,000 and net worth of $700,000, excluding the value of the home. The Board of Supervisors is expected to consider RECAP on Sept. 26.

The Board of Supervisors in April approved a budget for fiscal year 2023-24 that provides $26.3 million in tax relief, more than $100 million in cash to jump-start bond projects and the largest salary increase for county and school employees in 33 years. The 8.2% pay raise reinforces Henrico’s goal of being the region’s local government pay leader, particularly for teachers, police officers and firefighters. The budget also increases the minimum salary of government and school employees to $15 per hour. The county’s plan is based on an unchanged real estate tax rate of 85 cents per $100 and provides $316.8 million in capital spending, including $114.3 million to initiate a first set of projects from the voter-approved 2022 bond referendum. In addition, the budget provides enhanced funding for Henrico County Public Schools for the continued implementation of its career ladders program, expansion of the An Achievable Dream Certified Academy to the eighth grade and the equivalent of 50 additional full-time positions. For public safety, the budget delivers increased funding for 10 additional police officers, 11 additional positions for the opening of Newbridge Firehouse 23, two new peer recovery specialists in the Sheriff’s Office and a new director of the Substance Use Division of Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services.

As part of the 2023-24 budget, the Board of Supervisors cut Henrico’s personal property tax rate for qualifying vehicles to $3.40 per $100 of assessed value, down from the previous rate of $3.50. By lowering the rate by 10 cents, the county expected to save 350,000 account holders a total of $3.6 million. Overall, the budget includes an estimated $26.3 million in tax relief measures, which also include a real estate tax credit and additional relief through the Real Estate Advantage Program for residents who are at least age 65 or totally and permanently disabled. The personal property tax rate cut comes a year after Henrico provided a personal property tax credit that amounted to a 52-cent rate reduction for 2022.

Henrico voters have set the stage for the county’s next wave of investment in schools and other public facilities. In November 2022, voters overwhelmingly approved the issuance of nearly $511.4 million in general-obligation bonds in four categories: schools; recreation and parks; fire stations and public safety facilities; and flood prevention and stormwater drainage.

Officials are now refining the county’s plans and considering a timeline for issuing the debt. Initially, Henrico will begin work on several projects, which are highlighted below with *, using $114.3 million in cash that was set aside in the fiscal 2023-24 budget.

With a borrowed van and a map of overdose “hot spots,” a team of clinicians, nurses and peers is offering addiction treatment to individuals in the communities where they live. Established in the spring, the Office-Based Addiction Treatment mobile team has reached out to hotels and other organizations to provide REVIVE! training on naloxone to help save the life of someone following an opioid overdose. The team, managed by Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services, also partnered with the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts to provide onsite services each week at the Henrico Arms Apartments.

Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services received $1 million from the state Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to create the region’s first Crisis Receiving Center for youth. The facility at St. Joseph’s Villa will offer walk-in services for youth experiencing a mental health crisis, giving them and their families an alternative to emergency-room care. The facility, scheduled to open in the spring, will provide youth with comprehensive assessment and stabilization services as well as referrals for ongoing support within 23 hours of them seeking care.

In June, Henrico was awarded $870,511 from the first round of national settlement payments made by manufacturers and distributors of prescription opioids. Overall, the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority awarded more than $23 million to 76 counties and cities to address the devastating impacts of the opioid epidemic on local communities. The grants awarded to Henrico will support various efforts to:

• Establish a regional treatment and housing program for pregnant and parenting women with opioid use disorders, $700,311
• Expand the county’s Office-Based Addiction Treatment program, $70,200
• Identify the needs, gaps and resources to support pregnant and nursing mothers across the region, $100,000.

Henrico refined its plan to open a $12 million facility to provide immediate, medically supervised support for those struggling with substance use disorder. The Henrico County Continuum of Care Facility will be built on the Eastern Government Center campus and include six observation beds and 30 semiprivate bedrooms and bathrooms. The facility also will include a 23-hour Adult Crisis Center, which will be able to serve up to 12 individuals. The county in July issued a request for proposals for a prospective operator. Targeted for opening in 2025, the facility will be the region’s first public detox center that will accept referrals 24 hours a day. It is planned to be built to LEED Silver standards for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.

While continuing to focus on limiting the spread of COVID-19, the Henrico Health District worked to prevent fatal opioid overdoses and to address other community health issues. At 49 events through the first half of 2023, the district had distributed 138 doses of naloxone, which can temporarily reverse the toxic effects of an opioid overdose. The district also provided school-required immunizations and health screenings for newcomers and immigrants, and connected doulas with clients who are pregnant and identify as Black or African American.

The Department of Social Services continued to have success completing adoptions when children in foster care could not be reunified with their parents. With 17 adoptions in fiscal 2022-23, Social Services had finalized 43 adoptions over the past two years – the most of any locality in central Virginia. The adoptions involved 14 teenagers, nine sibling groups and 26 racial and/or ethnic minorities, all of which meet the federal definition of foster youth who are “hard to place.” A total of 18 children were adopted by relatives and/or fictive kin – nonrelatives with a recognized emotional connection to the child. Social Services continues to provide postadoption assistance and support to about 140 youth. For information on ways to help a child in need of a stable home, go to  henrico.us/dss/foster-parenting .

To promote safety and well-being for every child, the Department of Social Services’ Child Welfare Division uses facilitated meetings to empower families and help them assess their needs, strengths and abilities to provide a safe home. In the 12-month period ending in May, Social Services conducted 293 family partnerships meetings, providing nearly $88,000 in direct state support and services to children and their families. The meetings, led by a family engagement specialist, are grounded in principles that include that all families have strengths and that, with support, families can make informed decisions on the safety of their child.

Gretchen I. Brown was appointed director of the Department of Social Services in May.

The Department of Social Services provided financial assistance and programs to help individuals and families meet their basic needs and live independently. The department also protected abused and neglected children as well as aged and disabled adults.

Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services (MHDS) earned two Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo), including one for a program that supports qualifying individuals who are seeking treatment for substance use disorder. Established in 2021, the Community Based Housing for Individuals in the Recovery Process (CHIRP) program establishes safety and other standards for recovery homes and covers the costs of two weeks of treatment when an individual is placed in a certified home. So far, 84% of CHIRP’s participants have successfully completed their stays. The award recognized MHDS as well as the Sheriff’s Office and Community Corrections. MHDS also earned a NACo award for its community inclusion specialist, which supports individuals with serious mental illness. The position, established in 2021, promotes recovery and healthy living by helping individuals participate in events and build connections with partners throughout the community.

Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services provided services to 10,419 individuals during fiscal 2022-23.

Henrico in July received a 2023 Top Employers for Interns Award from the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership and RVA Collab. Each year, the county’s internship program offers many opportunities for high school, college and graduate students to explore careers in public service. For more information, go to  henrico.us/services/internship .

 _{Printed copies of the Annual Report are available at Henrico County’s government centers, libraries and recreation centers. To request a copy by mail, contact Henrico County Public Relations at (804) 501-4257 or send an email to  col79@henrico.us .}