School Social Workers are school employees who provide social work services in every school in Chesterfield County. School Social Workers are state certified and have expertise in social work and education. As a part of a multidisciplinary team of staff, teachers and parents, they assist and encourage the development of each student’s capabilities. School Social Workers identify and intervene in problems that interfere with a student’s education. They are trained to deal with difficulties such as developmental and learning disabilities; parenting education; family and marital stress; school age pregnancy; absenteeism; substance abuse; crisis management and suicide prevention. The coordination of resources between home, school, and community is a unique service provided by School Social Workers. Resources that School Social Workers frequently connect individuals with are: parenting classes; mental health services; resources for food and clothing; tutorial services and other educational support.
Your School Social Worker provides information on food, clothing and tutorial services.
School Social Workers are hired by school districts to enhance their ability to meet academic missions. They are on the frontlines of addressing barriers to learning.
School Social Workers address a variety of issues that impact a student’s ability to learn and are vital in helping parents navigate the education system and access community resources. Some things school social workers do on a daily basis, include:
Conduct sociological assessments for students suspected of having an educational disability
Assist school teams in reviewing individual student needs
Consult with school staff on effective social-emotional strategies
Address barriers to the child, home, school, and community that interfere with school access, including chronic absenteeism
Crisis intervention and prevention
Assess student needs through observation, home visits, interviews and assessments
Referrals to community agencies for students and families
Consult collaborate, and case-manage with community organizations and professionals
Individual and group social-emotional support services
© Virginia Association of School Social Work, adapted
Virginia Department of Education provides information about special education and other academic programming.
When students and/or families find themselves in a place of transition or in temporary housing situations it is often during these times that academic barriers are encountered. Registration, enrollment, transportation and accessing school supplies and/or school sponsored programs may be difficult. If you believe your family is eligible for McKinney-Vento services, contact your school registrar or social worker for an application!
Under the McKinney-Vento Act, certain living arrangements are considered to be “homeless” that may not typically be recognized as homeless situations. In determining eligibility, the term “homeless children and youth” means individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. As described in the McKinney-Vento Act, this includes:
Under the McKinney-Vento Act there are specific rights that a student has which includes the right to:
If the school district believes that the school selected is not in the best interest of the student then the district must provide you with a written explanation of its position and inform you of your right to appeal it’s decision.
A list of community-based counseling agencies in our area is available by contacting your school social worker.
*This is not an exhaustive list and is not intended to be a referral to or recommendation of any specific service provider. Parents should check with insurance providers to confirm coverage availability and research providers independently.
The Search for Child Care web tool provides facility information and inspection reports for licensed and religiously exempt child care centers, licensed and voluntarily registered family day homes and certified pre-schools. If you would like assistance in finding child care, contact Child Care Aware of Virginia at 866-543-7852.
Financial Assistance
You may be eligible for assistance for the cost of child care through the Virginia Dept. of Social Services.
You can apply online or screen for eligibility. You can also pick up an application at Chesterfield DSS.
Smart Beginnings
If you are having trouble paying for child care in Richmond City, Chesterfield or Henrico for your 3 or 4 year old, we can help. Support from Smart Beginnings may be available for you! 3 & 4 year-olds enrolled in select child care centers may be eligible for payment support. Email David Williams for more information.
After School Programs Search Tool
Many CCPS schools have clothing closets to assist students and families. School Social Workers are also able to make a referral to Mercy Mall on your behalf.
CHASSM
The CCHASM Career Clothes Closet is ava
Intake Line – 796-2749,
Celebration Church – Love of Jesus Thrift Store
5503 Midlothian Turnpike,
230-4144, 737-9493
New Life Thrift Store
2501 Turner Rd.,
276-9364
CHKD Thrift Stores
91 S. Laburnum Ave, Richmond, VA
(804) 437-KIDS
8032 W. Broad Street, Richmond, VA
(804)346-KIDS
Regenesis Thrift
11700 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Chester, VA 23831
Kid To Kid
Consignment chain with a range of used apparel, shoes, gear & toys for babies & children
4537 Commonwealth Centre Pkwy, Midlothian, VA 23112
Catholic Charities Baby Clothes Closet
Diapers & clothes in sizes newborn to 3T; can be picked-up 3 times per year. Open on Tuesday & Thursday from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Call 285-5900.
Webber Memorial Baptist Church
7800 Salem Church Road Richmond, VA 23237 (804) 271-4018
Clothing for N. Chesterfield residents only. Walk-ins are welcome
Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 .am.
Appts for Food Pantry, contact Denise Jordan at 804-796-2749
Caring Clothes Closet
Confidential, free clothing resource for those that are in crisis and need help. Shopping is available by appointment only
Please contact us at (804) 360-7779 or email us at cccrva.info@gmail.com to schedule an appointment
Redeemer Lutheran
2nd Saturday of every month
9400 Redbridge Rd
Interested in receiving information about current employment opportunities and employment-related workshops? Sign up for Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Social Services – Employment Services, Job Leads Distribution List – to receive weekly emails and/or text messages.
VA Ready Virginians who want to gain the required skills for in-demand jobs in high-growth sectors. VA Ready provides incentives for motivated Virginians who have experienced some form of employment disruption to reskill for in-demand jobs in high-growth sectors.
CHASSM Intake Line 796-2749 Emergency Financial/Food Outreach Program – Call Monday-Thursday between the hours of 9:00 AM -12:00 Noon
Salvation Army Family Services Program – Intake: 225-7470 Assists families and individuals with “basic human needs” including financial assistance to pay heat or heat related bills (electric, gas, oil, propane and water bills if heat related), rent or mortgage assistance, food, household items, and clothing vouchers. Accept calls for assistance beginning Monday mornings at 8:30 until the list is full for the week.
Commonwealth Catholic Charities Financial Assistance by appointment. Call 285-5986
Chesterfield County/Colonial Heights Social Services:
Chesterfield Food Bank
Be sure to check out the food bank’s website or facebook for any weekly changes that may be made. They frequently post changes and updates on their facebook page.
Monday Distribution Starts @ 5 p.m. 2nd & 4th Monday:
Journey Christian Church
3700 Price Club Blvd.
Midlothian, VA 23112
Friday Distribution Starts @ 4:30 p.m. 1st & 3rd Friday:
12211 Iron Birdge Road
Chester, VA 23831
SATURDAY Distribution Starts @ 10 a.m. 1st Saturday:
Beulah Elementary
5441 Beulah Rd.
Richmond, VA 23237
2nd Saturday:
AM Davis Elementary
415 S. Providence Road
North Chesterfield, VA 23236
3rd Saturday:
VSU Multipurpose Center
20809 2nd Ave.
Petersburg, VA 23803
4th Saturday:
J.A. Chalkley Elementary
3301 Turner Road
Chesterfield, Va 23832
Cover Virginia is Virginia’s way to apply for Medicaid and FAMIS programs for children, pregnant women and adults. You can also get information about health insurance options available through the Federal Marketplace. You can call 855-242-8282 or visit https://www.coverva.org
CommonHelp is Virginia’s convenient way to apply for healthcare coverage at 1-855-242-8282. To get help with food, child care, heating and cooling bills, and cash assistance: Call 855-635-4370 or visit commonhelp.virginia.gov
Eviction Helpline 833-663-8428
Housing Crisis Line 804-972-0813. Call this number if you are homeless or will lose your housing in the next 3 days.
Housing Resource Line Centralized access point to help connect with existing housing resources. Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Residents can call 804-422-5061 OR submit an online form HERE and one of the HRL Specialists will respond within 2 business days. https://pharva.com/housing-hotline/ Commonwealth Catholic Charities Housing Resource Center Call 648-4177 for System Navigation Assistance. Currently NO Walk-ins. Monday—Friday, 8:30—5:00 p.m. 809 Oliver Hill Way.
CARES 244 Halifax Street, Petersburg, Call 861-0865. Emergency shelter for women & children.
HomeAgain Shelter & Transitional Housing offers emergency shelter for men and a separate shelter for single women/children, single men/ children, Veteran’s Program, Rapid Rehousing Services. Call 358- 7747
VA Supportive Housing Call 788-6825. www.virginiasupportivehousing.org
Chesterfield DSS Housing Choice Voucher Program 717-6382 Please note there is a waiting list and you may have to call frequently in order to obtain a place on the waiting list.
HOME (Housing Opportunities Made Equal) 804-354-0641, help@HOMEofVA.org. Currently CLOSED to walk-ins.
HUD Housing Resources |https://resources.hud.gov/
VHDA| http://www.socialserve.com/tenant/VA/index.html?ch=VA
Virginia Housing Searchmay help you locate available, affordable rental housing
Local shelters have available case managers to help you locate permanent low cost housing.
CAPup |Dora Hall |804-788-0050|Rental Assistance: You have to call first and then you will be transferred to a Case Manager. They do not help with deposits unless you currently have TANF| Energy Share for City of Richmond: Mondays and Tuesdays 9 -11 a.m. | Metro Care for City of Richmond (Water) Mondays-Wednesdays 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
CCHASM: Chesterfield | 11202 Richmond Street, Chester, VA 23831| 804-796-2749
Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Chesterfield Community Services Board (CSB) – Prevention Services
Prevention Services provides consultation, parent support, children’s groups, and educational classes.
768-7800
Positive Parenting Tips & Information
This website is a useful way to connect families to various parenting resources.
Cameron K. Gallagher Mental Health Resource Center
Families can call directly to speak with a family navigator, free of charge. They help families understand the mental health options available for children and assist them in finding therapists, psychiatrists or other appropriate services.
Partners In Parenting
Partners in Parenting is a family-focused mental health practice providing evaluations, interventions, outpatient therapy, parent groups, and consultations in and around Richmond.
Completely Kids
Website with valuable and easily accessible online information and resources about raising kids in the Richmond area.
Richmond Area Parent Support Groups
Chesterfield County Library
Also offers computer and internet use, meeting spaces, homework help, early literacy/story times for toddlers and preschoolers, book clubs, summer learning program, and a variety of other activities/events.
FAMRichmond
Parenting resources on a wide range of topics and community resources.
Chesterfield County Parks & Recreation
Program Guide
Richmond Family Magazine
Free copies can be found at Kroger, Food Lion, Wegmans, Chick-fil-a, and Wawa. Information about family friendly events, community resources, and articles on parenting.
Children’s Museum of Richmond
4 locations in the metro area. Scholarships are available based on income. Also, there is free admission for families of children with behavioral health and development challenges on the first Friday of every month from 5:30PM – 7:30PM at rotating locations.
Know Different
Resources for families of special needs students in the Richmond area.
Chesterfield County Community Care Mobile App
The new Community Cares mobile application provides residents the information they need. Whether it’s help with parenting, disabilities, transportation, substance abuse or finding a great park, the Community Cares app will help connect you with the right people who can provide assistance. The app serves the needs of Chesterfield County and Colonial Heights residents, making it easy to search the wide range of helpful services local government provides. Users can browse by category or search department descriptions to learn how to get help, where that help is located and contact information.
Centro Sagrado Corazon
sirve a la comunidad latina en nuestra área los martes y jueves de 9 a 4:30 y los miércoles de 1 a 4:30.
Llame al (804) 230-4399 https://shcrichmond.org/en/links/
Latinos In Virginia Empowerment Center
ha recibido nuevos fondos para ofrecer asistencia financiera a familias de habla hispana que se han visto afectadas por la pandemia de COVID-19 y que tradicionalmente no califican para otra ayuda. La asistencia está disponible para las familias que viven en Richmond, Petersburg, Colonial Heights o los condados de Charles City, Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent y Powhatan. Puede solicitarlo llamando al (804) 658-3341. Cada caso se evalúa individualmente.
Waymakers Foundation
sirve a la comunidad latina en nuestra área. Llame o envíe un mensaje de texto al
(804) 920-0179
Ride United through United Way: Are you unable to drive or get a ride to get to your job, school, and or to doctor’s appointments? United Way has a program that can help you get to places when you don’t have any other transportation options. For more information visit
Access Chesterfield
For Chesterfield County residents meeting the requirement for Mobility Services (age 60 or older, disability, low-income household).
Vouchers available at certain libraries or by mail. Call Mobility Services for info: 751-2796.
Dependacare On Demand: 745-1818; Owl, Inc: 930-8448; Roundtrip: 277-4866; UZURV: 655-0255
If you have Medicaid, call: 1-866-386-8331. By appt. only—medical transportation services for qualified Medicaid recipients; transportation is available 24/7 including holidays.
The GRTC transit system is our local public bus system. Be sure to check their website for the closest bus stop, destinations, time changes, etc.
The United Way of Greater Richmond also maintains a quick reference guide to area services! Visit their website for more information on services provided, ways to get involved, and how to donate to the program.
2-1-1 Virginia is a free service that can help you find the local resources you need. We’re here for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
School Day: 7:35 a.m. – 2:05 p.m.
Office Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Address: 3800 Cougar Trail
Chester, VA 23831
Office: (804) 524-3620
Attendance: (804) 524-3627
Clinic: (804) 524-3620 ext. 114
Fax: (804) 520-0189
Email: CVRMS_Mail@ccpsnet.net
School Mascot: Cougars
School Colors: Blue & Red
