Human Services Annual Report Fiscal Year 2025

Community Corrections Services

Community Supervision Services

Chesterfield and Colonial Heights Community Corrections Services plays a vital role in the local criminal justice system by providing evidence-based supervision, support and services to individuals on probation and pretrial release. As a meaningful alternative to incarceration, the agency enhances public safety, promotes accountability and supports successful reintegration into the community. On any given day, the agency supervises approximately 2,600 individuals with diverse and complex needs. Individuals may be placed on probation following a court sentencing or released into the community while awaiting trial. In both cases, Community Corrections holds individuals accountable while offering structured guidance and access to resources that reduce the likelihood of future criminal behavior.

Probation and Pretrial Officers conduct comprehensive risk and needs assessments to determine appropriate supervision levels and develop individualized plans tailored to each client’s circumstances. These plans often include referrals to substance use treatment, mental health care, employment services, educational support and housing assistance. For individuals on pretrial release, officers work closely with the courts to monitor compliance with release conditions, ensuring court appearances while minimizing the risk of new criminal activity. The agency uses a system of graduated sanctions and incentives to encourage positive behavior and respond to violations in a fair, timely and proportional manner. During Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), Community Corrections Services received 2,702 pretrial placements from the Chesterfield and Colonial Heights Courts and 1,813 local probation placements from Chesterfield Courts.

Victim Services

The Chesterfield Domestic and Sexual Violence Resource Center (DSVRC) serves as the hub of Chesterfield County’s coordinated community response to domestic and sexual violence – a comprehensive community-wide effort to implement and apply evidence-based, trauma informed practices and procedures to support victim safety and offender accountability.

The DSVRC provides direct services – such as protective order assistance, court accompaniment, safety planning, individual counseling, support groups, general information/education, resource assistance and referrals to service providers – to adult victims of intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and stalking. Additionally, advocacy services are provided to child victims of family and/or sexual violence.

During FY25, DSVRC staff assisted 718 victims. Protective order assistance was provided to 613 individuals and court accompaniment was provided on more than 1,481 occasions. Clinical services were provided to 61 survivors, accounting for approximately 684 hours of individual therapeutic counseling.

In October 2024, the Chesterfield Domestic Violence Task Force presented its 8th annual GO PURPLE! domestic violence awareness month event, featuring comments from a Chesterfield County domestic violence survivor and the presentation of the CDVTF’s 6th annual Outstanding Service award.

Peer Recovery

FY25 was the first year Community Corrections employed a full-time peer recovery specialist. The peer recovery specialist was an excellent resource for clients and provided an array of services.

Peer Recovery Services provided during FY25:

• 176 clients total received peer services at CCS April-June 2025.
• 38 peer recovery groups were held.
• 271 individual peer recovery sessions were conducted.
• 70 fentanyl and xylazine strips were disbursed to clients for harm reduction.
• 40 naloxone doses were distributed.

The peer recovery specialist also led efforts to create a clothing closet and hygiene/harm reduction/wound care station for clients at Community Corrections Services by having an ongoing drive for donations for clients struggling with substance use disorder, mental health conditions and homelessness.

Collaboration is at the heart of Community Corrections’ work. The agency regularly engages with law enforcement, courts, treatment providers and other community stakeholders to deliver coordinated care and ensure the highest impact. Through these efforts, Community Corrections reduces recidivism, alleviates jail overcrowding and strengthens community safety. By prioritizing rehabilitation over punishment, the agency offers a balanced, humane approach that emphasizes both individual accountability and public well-being.

Juvenile Justice Services

The Department of Juvenile Justice Services (JJS) serves, supports, protects and empowers the court-involved youth and juvenile victims of Chesterfield County and the City of Colonial Heights.

The department manages a multifaceted network of juvenile-focused programs and facilities, including the Juvenile Detention Home, Adolescent Resource Pathways, the Davis Children's Advocacy Center (Davis CAC), and several community-based programs funded in part through the Virginia Juvenile Community Crime Control Act (VJCCCA).

Juvenile Detention Home

The purpose of the Juvenile Detention Home is to provide a safe, secure and supportive environment for court-involved youth with the goal of promoting individual growth through education and empowerment. The detention home also houses two treatment programs and the Home Incarceration Program, an alternative to secure detention.

Information and Statistics

• The Juvenile Detention Home had 291 admissions in FY25. Of those, 24 were served in our treatment programs. An additional 170 juveniles, who would otherwise be detained in detention, were placed on electronic monitoring, house arrest or diversion outreach as an alternative to secure detention. This is an example of our 12th District Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Judges reserving secure detention for the highest-risk cases.
• The Juvenile Detention Home saw a 34% reduction in resident discipline reports in FY25, despite having roughly the same average daily population. It was also a 27% reduction from FY23. This is a testament to the positive environment our staff cultivate for residents and taking therapeutic rather than punitive approaches to negative behavior.
• The Home Incarceration Program started a pilot program supervising program participants who reside in the city of Richmond in an effort to reduce a disparity in services. In FY25, the Home Incarceration Program supervised 20 juveniles who resided in the City of Richmond and who otherwise would have remained in secure detention. We successfully transitioned from a pilot program in February, and the Home Incarceration Program now officially serves juveniles residing in the City of Richmond, in addition to Chesterfield County and the City of Colonial Heights. This expansion was awarded a 2025 NACo award.
• We are proud to recognize the academic achievement of our students during the 2024-2025 school year. Six students earned their high school diploma and five students earned their GED. Over 50 students earned the honor roll over the course of the year. Additionally, one of the graduates has already started taking a full load of college courses at Brightpoint during the summer session and continued in the fall. Many of our students were able to earn industry certifications as well. Students earned certificates in OSHA, ServSafe, EVERFI, W!SE (100% pass rate), CareerSafe and CPR. These accomplishments are a testament to the focus on student achievement and outstanding instruction and support provided by the faculty and staff.

• This past year saw the detention home expand its contracted programs with the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice. In addition to our Community Placement Program, we began two new treatment programs: an Individual Bed Placement program and a Youth with Sexualized Behaviors program. These two programs will afford juveniles committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice to receive treatment in a smaller, more individualized setting.
• The Juvenile Detention Home was excited to host numerous visitors throughout the year. We were honored to have Del. Mike Jones tour our facility along with Chesterfield Commonwealth Attorney Erin Barr.

• Erin Barr also visited residents in our treatment programs to help deliver a gun violence prevention program. This program is a great collaboration between Juvenile Justice Services, Commonwealth’s Attorney, Court Service Unit and local volunteers.

• Lastly, Chesterfield County Police Chief Frank Carpenter and his leadership team spent a morning with us touring the facility and discussing current and future partnerships and collaborations. We are very thankful to Del. Mike Jones, Erin Barr and Col. Carpenter for their support of our department.

Chesterfield Adolescent Resource Pathways

Chesterfield Adolescent Resource Pathways (CARP) had a very successful year! Its programs are designed to prevent or rehabilitate juvenile offenders and every CARP program recorded re-arrest rates lower than state averages.

Gun Violence Prevention Groups

CARP completed its first year of Gun Violence Prevention groups. This program is a cooperative effort between CARP, the Chesterfield County Commonwealth’s Attorney and the Juvenile Probation Department. This group includes the presentation of a credible messenger who has been affected adversely by gun violence. It has proven to be quite moving for participants. In fact, 96% of participants had improved knowledge of gun violence prevention based on post-test scores.

Community Service Program

Community Service Program (CSP) is an organized opportunity for youth to serve up to 24 hours of court-required community service while also giving back to the citizens. 98% of participants completed their service within the prescribed timeframe.

Court Navigator Program

Court Navigator Program assists families in meeting court requirements through referrals and guidance. Participation is voluntary and intended to assist families complete court requirements as quickly as possible. In FY25, Court Navigator assisted 99% of referrals 77% successfully and met court requirements without requiring continuances. We are grateful for the families’ receptiveness to the voluntary services.

Substance Abuse Awareness (Vision) Group

2025 was another successful school year for the Substance Abuse Awareness (Vision) Groups. These groups introduce techniques that help students end their use of illegal substances. 93% of youth successfully completed the group and signed the pledge not to use illegal substances in the future.

Pocahontas Youth Conservation Corp

The Pocahontas Youth Conservation Corp is a collaboration with the Department of Conservation and Recreation and Colonial Heights Office on Youth. Selected teens gain hands-on experience with entry-level job duties in Virginia State Parks, such as clearing trails, repairing fences, restoring campsites and performing other maintenance work. Additionally, they learn soft skills like teamwork, punctuality, responsibility and time management. We’re proud that the program has operated at Pocahontas since July 1999.

Educational Vocational Coordinator

During this program year, the educational vocational coordinator supported significant academic progress among participants at Chesterfield Adolescent Resource Pathways. Many students began the program with poor grades and were at risk of failing. However, through hard work and a commitment to excellence, the program achieved a 93% success rate, with 14 out of 15 students earning the required credits to advance to the next grade. Notably, one student achieved A-B honor roll during the fourth nine weeks while enrolled in honors-level coursework and passed all required SOL tests. Another student, who entered the program behind his cohort as a ninth grader, earned all required ninth-grade credits plus additional coursework, allowing him to be reclassified as a junior for the 2025–2026 school year. After completing a summer math course, he is now on track to graduate on time with his class. Nearly all students' grades increased exponentially each semester, increasing their overall GPAs. These accomplishments highlight the effectiveness of CARP's academic support, individualized planning and commitment to helping justice-involved youth achieve their educational goals while ensuring a seamless transition back into the traditional school environment.

Day Reporting Program

The Chesterfield Adolescent Resource Pathways Day Reporting program continues to provide critical support to justice-involved youth who are long-term suspended or expelled, in partnership with the Chesterfield County Public Schools (CCPS) Homebound Education Program. In FY25, 79% of enrolled youth successfully completed the program. Notably, 94% of the participants were not rearrested during their time in the program, demonstrating the positive impact of structured support and accountability. The Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) curriculum also fostered a safer and more focused learning environment while reducing harmful behaviors. These outcomes reflect the program's success in promoting personal growth, educational continuity and improved decision-making for youth navigating complex challenges.

Restorative Justice Program

Restorative Justice is a program emphasizing the importance of healing for both victims and offenders, focusing on accountability and the restoration of relationships. In FY25, the Restorative Justice Program was expanded to reach more families involved with the juvenile justice system. Thirty-eight youth and their parents completed restorative sessions successfully.

Davis Children's Advocacy Center

• The Davis Children's Advocacy Center (Davis CAC) focused this past year on strengthening established partnerships and expanding service provision and engagement within the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) and the communities we serve. The Davis CAC MDT model was presented to the Chester Women’s Club and the team volunteered in their annual fashion show to raise money for local schools. It was also presented to the Regency Women’s Club and the Positive Parenting Coalition.

• The Davis CAC Director presented to the Virginia Juvenile Detention Association, focusing on the MDT model and its intersection with incarcerated children. Davis CAC Staff also supported MDT partners by attending the Bon Secours Violence Response Team Evolve/Change/Grow Gala.

• The Davis CAC conducted 281 forensic interviews with 25 ChildFirst-trained MDT members due to imminent safety concerns for the child. In one case, a Davis CAC Forensic Interviewer conducted an interview at a school in best interest of the child. The Davis CAC also renewed Interagency Agreements with Team Chesterfield and Team Colonial Heights.
• The Davis CAC had it's first full year with a CAC-based clinician through the partnership with the Chesterfield Community Service Board (CSB). The clinician provided evidence-based therapeutic services to 23 CAC MDT children for a total of 217 sessions. Many of the clients were children with cases moving forward through the criminal justice system. In addition to providing services, she served as a clinical consultant to the larger MDT regarding child trauma and therapeutic treatments. She also works with a facility dog, Conrad, that is utilized in therapeutic treatment with children.
• The Davis CAC Director became Vice President of the Children's Advocacy Center of Virginia (CACVA) State Chapter Board of Directors, serving on the Executive Committee and chairing the Fundraising Committee, where she helps with strategic planning, policies and by-laws. For the second year, the CACVA Board was focused on securing current funding for FY26 and advocating for CACs during the General Assembly session. The Davis CAC supported these efforts at the state level.

• The Davis CAC staff attended the 3rd Annual Commonwealth Attorney’s Office-sponsored Chesterfield Child Safety Fair on April 27th at the Chesterfield Fairgrounds. This event allowed Davis CAC staff to bring awareness to child safety, collaborate with our MDT partners and engage the community. The Davis CAC distributed goodie bags to families that included fuzzy pens, little notebooks, fidgets and information about our services.

• The Chesterfield Commonwealth’s Attorney and the Davis CAC Director met with the new CCPS superintendent to strengthen collaboration in serving shared children. Following the meeting, the MDT Leadership Team invited the CCPS representatives to join future leadership and case review meetings. The MDT welcomed the CCPS Title IX coordinator and director of student services, who provided a presentation on Title IX criteria and processes. They also toured the Davis CAC, helping identify service gaps. Action items moving forward are to assist with the process of restructuring how cases are reviewed. Together with law enforcement, child protective services, and the Commonwealth’s Attorney's office, a minimal facts card was created to ensure information is gathered and shared consistently according to best practices. CCPS will also work to align their processes with Davis CAC for a stronger partnership.
• Our Davis CAC Family Advocates formed a monthly advocate meeting for Team Chesterfield to streamline MDT processes and coordinate services for families. Advocacy agencies have met multiple times, developing new processes for collaboration. They will be delineating roles and responsibilities to be added to the evolving protocol as we gear up for our reaccreditation.
• As an MDT, Chesterfield attended southern regional CAC (SRCAC) training entitled Working Better Together. This two-day training highlighted team strengths and identified areas for growth.
• The Davis CAC hosted quarterly peer reviews for ChildFirst trained investigators and prosecutors. The CAC added a teaching component to enhance the quality of peer reviews and one Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court prosecutor provided two presentations, one focused on corroboration and another on child physical abuse cases. There was a strong turnout with 47 attendees over the four peer reviews.
• The Davis CAC collaborated with Chesterfield County Media and Communications and IST to refresh its website, making it more service-oriented and educational. Since the end of the last quarter, the Davis CAC has added additional information to the site: Davis Children's Advocacy Center. We are also working with Communications and Media to develop a new brochure.

Opioid Abatement Authority Locality Administration

Opioid Settlements and OAA Funded Programs

The Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA) funded four projects in Chesterfield County in FY25: a county planning grant, the second year of the Mobile Outreach Collaborative, the second year of the Project Recover Collaborative and a Regional Pregnant and Parenting Women Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis.

As part of the OAA-funded planning grant, Chesterfield County is collaborating with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) to conduct a county-wide needs assessment and gap analysis for substance use services and supports. Through resource mapping, claim data analysis, provider interviews and a community survey, VCU will provide recommendations on the services and supports needed to help individuals affected by substance use in the county. These recommendations will guide future applications to OAA and the county’s use of opioid settlement funds.

In the second year of the Mobile Outreach collaborative (with the City of Colonial Heights, the City of Petersburg and Powhatan County), the team expanded local partnerships to promote wellness and recovery while increasing the distribution of harm reduction supplies to the community. The team established four community naloxone distribution boxes to provide free public access to naloxone and harm reduction supplies without stigma and partnered with Chesterfield County libraries to develop a No-Return Substance Use and Recovery Library in three locations. Additionally, the Mobile Outreach team collaborated with Chesterfield County Emergency Management Services (EMS) Mobile Integrated Health to provide overdose follow-up for individuals in the community and supported EMS in purchasing Suboxone for two stations to pilot an induction program. In FY25, Mobile Outreach engaged with over 3,700 individuals distributing 5,500 drug testing strips, 3,600 Naloxone kits and 350 wound care kits to those in need. Of these individuals, 130 were connected to peer support services and 41 were connected with recovery housing.

In the second year of the Project Recover collaborative (with Hanover County and Richmond City), the team continued to identify the need for further peer support within Chesterfield County. A Project Recover peer was embedded with the Chesterfield County Police Department to respond to suspected overdose calls. Project Recover provides prevention services, peer support, housing, detox, counseling mental health support and harm reduction supports. In FY25, approximately 120 individuals in Chesterfield were connected to one or multiple of these services through Project Recover.

VCU completed its regional Pregnant and Parenting Women Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis for the City of Richmond, Henrico County, Hanover County and Chesterfield County in FY25. The study identified regional improvements in mental health diagnoses, use of intensive counseling, availability of recovery housing and the number of clinicians prescribing medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), suboxone and methadone, to maternal populations, which have increased significantly across the region. However, areas for improvement included: recovery residences and sober living; long-term residential treatment; safe childcare options; peer recovery services; substance use disorder (SUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD) training for social workers and case managers; trauma-informed care training and treatment and reentry planning in jails and prisons.

In response to the Pregnant and Parenting Women Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis, Chesterfield County submitted and was approved for two Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA) collaborative projects to address identified needs. The Hospital Liaisons collaborative (with Henrico County, Richmond City and the City of Colonial Heights) will provide two registered nurses for the region who will act as liaisons between local emergency rooms/OBGYNs and local CSBs/Social Services to infants diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome and ensure substance-impacted women who are pregnant or parenting are referred to appropriate services. Additionally, the Department of Social Services (DSS) Family Engagement and SUD Team collaborative (with the City of Colonial Heights) will establish a team of professionals within DSS to focus on substance-impacted families to provide support, connection, and wrap-around services to facilitate stability.

Chesterfield County additionally submitted and was approved for three other cooperatives to begin in FY26. The Comprehensive Opioid Managment and Patient Assistance (COMPASS) collaborative (with Powhatan County and the City of Colonial Heights) will create a multidisciplinary team within the Chesterfield County Jail to serve individuals impacted by substances and provide them with comprehensive medications for opioid use disorder and wrap-around supports. The Chesterfield Recovery Academy (CRA) collaborative (with the City of Richmond and Henrico County) will expand outreach efforts to engage all 17 localities in the service area, as well as expand transportation services for attending students. The Regional Recovery Day collaborative (with Henrico County, Hanover County and the City of Richmond) will expand the efforts and resources for our second annual Regional Recovery Day initiative, allowing for more substance use and recovery speakers, events, and vendors.

Finally, Chesterfield County was approved for $500,000 in individual distribution funds to support subgrants for county departments in FY26. The Substance Use Steering Committee reviewed and approved six applications for the use of funding for substance use-related programming, including: MHSS’ Expansion of the Safe Storage and Disposal Initiative, MHSS’ Office Based Addiction Treatment (OBAT) Unit, CCS’ Bridging the Gap Supportive Services, Treatment Court’s Supportive Services, Library’s Panel Discussion on Opioid use and Abuse and Juvenile Justice’s Addressing the Opioid Crisis through Targeted Adolescent Intervention.

Treatment Courts

General Information

Treatment courts recognize that incarceration alone does little to break the cycle of mental illness, substance use and crime, and that offenders sentenced to incarceration for substance use or mental illness related offenses exhibit a high rate of recidivism once released. Treatment courts address these challenges by offering access to substance use and mental health treatment through specialty dockets intentionally designed for high-risk, high-need individuals. These programs minimize incarceration while integrating treatment within the justice system.

The Goal of Treatment Court

To reduce risk factors that contribute to substance abuse and criminal behavior, restore healthy families and relationships and support the development of law-abiding, contributing citizens.

What Makes Treatment Courts Unique

Participation in a treatment court allows the defendants to remain in their community while working a comprehensive recovery program; receiving appropriate mental health services, mending family relationships, paying restitution or child support, maintaining employment and remaining drug free.

Partners

Treatment Courts integrate multiple disciplines to serve the defendants before the court and their families. These disciplines include:

• Judiciary
• Police
• Sheriff
• Commonwealth's Attorney's Office
• Mental Health
• Defense Bar
• Department of Veteran's Affairs
• Probation
• Department of Veteran's Services

Services

Treatment Courts work to maintain public safety by providing appropriate, individualized treatment services that hold the defendant accountable while addressing their service needs. Services include:

• Drug screens multiple times each week
• Individual and group therapy 2-3 times each week
• Weekly court appearance
• Intensive community monitoring – home, work, school, office visits
• Graduated system of incentives and sanctions as the participant moves through the program’s phase system
• Psychiatric and ancillary treatment services

Court Sessions

The Recovery Court meets each Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. in Circuit Courtroom #5 and is presided over by Judge Jayne Pemberton. The Veteran Treatment Docket meets every other Thursday at 2:30 p.m. in Circuit Courtroom #4 and is presided over by Judge Edward Robbins.

To learn more about either treatment court or schedule an opportunity to observe a session, contact Geoffrey Easton, Treatment Courts Director, at (804) 717-6801 or eastonga@chesterfield.gov.

FY25 Updates

• Veteran Treatment Docket achieved operational status and celebrated its inaugural graduating class of two participants.
• Recovery Court team participated in a joint training with Henrico, Prince George, Surry and Hopewell provided by AllRise, the leading national organization for providing training, advocacy and guidance to specialty dockets. The team received the Operational Tune-up training, a multi-day on site training updating the program on current best practice standards and helping drive programmatic change to ensure remaining on the forefront of best practice.
• Members of the Recovery Court and Veteran Treatment Docket team traveled to Orlando to participate in the AllRise Rise25 conference to receive discipline-specific updates on best practice and emerging trends in specialty docket operation from national partners.
• Members of the Recovery Court and Veteran Treatment Docket team traveled to Williamsburg to participate in the Virginia Specialty Docket Conference, where they engaged with colleagues from around the Commonwealth and received education and training from the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia.
• Welcomed a new Senior Clinician, Deborah Healy, with extensive experience in specialty dockets and substance use treatment.
• Developed veteran-specific evidence-based treatment groups for the Veteran Treatment Docket.
• Participated in a process-mapping training facilitated by the Learning & Performance Center, held at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond.
• Expanded partnership with the Sheriff’s HARP program to strengthen recovery networks.
• Participated in the inaugural Regional Recovery Day at the Henrico Sports and Events Center, promoting education and awareness of services for high-need populations.