2023 LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE  

Virginia Association of Local Human Services Officials (VALHSO)

Dates: March 2, 2023

Location: Virtual location (it will be available close to March 2)

Speaker's Bio: Available here

Presentations:

Opioid Abatement Authority

An Integrative Approach to Addressing Students' Mental Health Needs

2023 General Assembly Recap

 Video Part 1:

Video Part 2:

Video Part 3:

AGENDA

10:00 a.m. Welcome and Introductions

• Nancy Vincent, President, VALHSO

10:05 a.m. Opioid Abatement Authority
The Opioid Abatement Authority is an independent body, the purpose of which is to abate and remediate the opioid epidemic in the Commonwealth through financial support in the form of grants, donations, or other assistance, for efforts to treat, prevent, and reduce opioid use disorder and the misuse of opioids.

• Tony McDowell, Executive Director

11:00 a.m. An Integrative Approach to Addressing Students' Mental Health Needs
Hanover County Community Services Board (HCCSB) and Hanover County Public Schools (HCPS) joined together to better serve students and their families by increasing access to mental health services within the schools. Hanover County’s School-Based Mental Health services offers an innovative solution for students struggling with mental health challenges. The goal of this partnership was to reduce the barriers preventing students from accessing support by providing behavioral health interventions within the school environment.

• Karla Allen, Hanover County Public Schools
• Lauren Krusenklaus, Hanover County Community Services Board
• Jennifer Sheppard, Hanover County Community Services Board

12:00 p.m. Lunch Break

12:30 p.m. Janet Kelly— Special Advisor to the Governor for Children’s Issues

1:15 p.m. 2023 General Assembly Session Recap
Representatives of partner organizations will provide updates on major human services issues under consideration during the recently-concluded legislative session.

• Rebecca Morgan, President, Virginia League of Social Services Executives and Director, Middlesex County Department of Social Services
• Jennifer Faison, Executive Director, Virginia Association of Community Services Boards (invited)
• Janet Areson, Director of Policy Development, Virginia Municipal League
• Katie Boyle, Director of Government Affairs, Virginia Association of Counties

2:00 p.m. VALHSO Business Meeting and election of officers