Showing posts with label Virginia Department of Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Virginia Department of Health. Show all posts

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Commonwealth Taking Additional Steps to Safeguard Against Ebola - SPREAD THE FEAR!

Ebola virions.
Ebola virions. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

(In An  Effort To Spread The Fear:)

Governor McAuliffe pledges to provide interagency approach to manage the threat

Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that the Commonwealth is taking additional steps to strengthen the level of preparedness for the Ebola virus by mobilizing a statewide unified command group. This group is responsible for coordinating resources and personnel. 

“The Virginia Department of Health works every day to prevent the spread of infectious diseases of all kinds,” said Governor McAuliffe. “The department’s focus will be to keep the community informed, and ensure that, if there is any risk, the appropriate public health actions will be taken.”

The statewide unified command group will be composed of officials from the Governor’s Office, Department of Health, Department of Emergency Management, State Police, Department of Social Services, Department of Transportation, Virginia National Guard, Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Education, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and others.

“Ebola prevention is based on principles and approaches that we use every day,” said State Health Commissioner Marissa J. Levine, MD, MPH, FAAFP. “However, there are unique aspects of Ebola that require us to make sure our plans and processes are up to date for this new concern.”

Dr. Levine has activated the regional hospital coordinating system, which was developed after 9-11 and the anthrax attack of 2001, to assess our capability in each region of the state and ensure appropriate coordination. The Virginia Department of Health will lead the state’s ongoing health preparedness efforts supported by these other agencies.

VDH, including its 35 health districts and local health departments, is working closely with the state laboratory (Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services), individual hospitals and first responders/EMS to make sure they have adequate training and protocols, established with the best guidance available, to care for Ebola patients safely. Following these guidelines thoroughly will help health care workers who are caring directly for patients with Ebola stay safe from infection.

Over the next several weeks, this group will be developing additional statewide protocols for first responders to enhance their safety and readiness.

For more information about Ebola, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Governor McAuliffe Announces Increase in Summer Meals Feeding Sites for 2014

Tomatoes (USDA OPC)
Tomatoes (USDA OPC) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
~Number of meals served during June 14 rose 22% from previous year~
Today Governor McAuliffe announced that the number of feeding sites for the national Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) increased from 1,539 in 2013 to 1,590 this year. Additionally, the number of meals served during June 2014 rose from 759,643 to 928,057, more than a 22 percent increase over the previous year.
“Summer meals services are critical components in keeping our children healthy, well fed, and ready to lead active and engaged livelihoods,” said Governor McAuliffe. “When our children have access to healthy food, they are better prepared to learn and succeed, and the Summer Meals Service Program ensures that Virginia children and families can access quality, nutritious meals even during the months when school is not in session.”
Feeding sites are located within school attendance zones where at least 50 percent of the children are eligible to receive free and reduced lunches. More than 512,000 students in Virginia public schools currently qualify.
SFSP was established by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ensure that low income children continue to receive nutritious meals all year round. Free meals, that meet Federal nutrition guidelines, are provided to all children under the age of 18 years in areas that qualify. During the summer of 2013, approximately 3,985,805 meals were served during the May through August.
A number of factors helped increase participation in the SFSP this year including a partnership with the Library of Virginia, which linked the feeding program with its summer reading program in local libraries, and the robust efforts of First Lady of Virginia Dorothy McAuliffe.
“It’s exciting to know that so many more of Virginia’s children are receiving nutritious meals during the summer months when for so many a meal is not a guarantee,” said First Lady, Dorothy McAuliffe.  “It is through strong collaboration and partnerships across the Commonwealth that we can continue to see success in alleviating childhood hunger and improving access to healthful foods.”
“Summer can be the hungriest time of year for those children who rely on school meals,” said Josh Wachs, Chief Strategy Officer for Share Our Strength. “The No Kid Hungry campaign was proud to work with Governor and First Lady McAuliffe this summer to feed more kids than ever before. Their bold and innovative strategy to expand the summer meals program resulted in a huge win for kids and families across the Commonwealth.”
Governor McAuliffe and the First Lady are committed to ensuring that participation in the Summer Food Service Program continues to grow. Staff from Virginia Department of Health (VDH) will be conducting community meetings this week to strengthen the state’s partnership with sponsors and feeding site operators in efforts to expand participation in 2015. If your non-profit organization is interested in becoming a sponsor or feeding site, please contact VDH at 804-864-7800.


Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Governor McAuliffe Announces 50,000th Birth Certificate Issued Through DMV/VDH Partnership

Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Milestone Shows Virginians Love Convenient New Service Option

RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced a major milestone in the vital records partnership of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) Division of Vital Records. As of this month, the number of birth certificates sold at DMV offices topped 50,000.

Fifty thousand is a very impressive number, and we are barely six months into this exciting partnership,” said Governor McAuliffe. “Clearly, Virginians are embracing this model of responsive service and convenience. As we build a new Virginia economy, Virginia needs a government that can respond to the needs of its citizens and businesses, and this is just one way we’re getting it done.”

The DMV/VDH partnership was recognized with a Governor’s Technology Award presented at the annual Commonwealth of Virginia Innovative Technology Symposium (COVITS) in Richmond earlier this month.

The birth certificate service at DMV began on March 1, 2014. In April, Governor McAuliffe officially announced the launch of the service and touted the initial success of the partnership at a news conference at the Chesterfield DMV Customer Service Center in Chesterfield County.

DMV saw a surge in birth certificate transactions in August as parents sought the documents in order to enroll their children in schools.

“We share the Governor’s excitement at this milestone and what it means for our customers,”said DMV Commissioner Richard D. Holcomb. “Customers at our front counters have been pleasantly surprised that DMV offers this birth certificate service. The response has been tremendous, and the numbers speak for themselves.”

“We are also pleased that the VDH/DMV collaboration has enhanced easy access to these important documents frequently needed by Virginians,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Marissa Levine. “Our partners at DMV understand and share our commitment to the security and accessibility of Virginia vital records, and we look forward to continuing that shared commitment.”

As of September 13, 2014, DMV has served 48,696 customers requesting birth certificates and issued 52,648 certificates. 

The process for obtaining vital records through DMV is the same as doing so directly through the Division of Vital Records. Customers complete an application, submit the required documentation, and pay a fee to the agency. The fee for a birth certificate at DMV is $14. 

The DMV/VDH partnership was authorized by legislation (SB 1039, Newman) passed by the General Assembly in 2013. In addition to birth certificates, the legislation provides that DMV will begin issuing copies of death, marriage and divorce records. DMV and VDH expect to be ready to begin this phase in summer 2015. All original records will continue to be stored securely at the Vital Records office.


Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Governor McAuliffe Announces Successful Launch of DMV/VDH Vital Records Partnership

Birth certificate (actually, excerpt from the ...
Birth certificate (actually, excerpt from the protocol of baptised) of Nikola Tesla. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
People Born in Virginia Will Now Have More Access to Birth Certificates Than Ever Before

RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced the successful launch of the partnership of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Division of Vital Records to provide increased access to Virginia birth certificates. As of March 1, 2014, copies of Virginia birth certificates are available statewide at all 75 DMV customer service centers and five mobile offices.

Already, approximately 5,000 Virginians have requested birth certificates at DMV locations. Most of these customers are able to leave DMV with copies of their birth certificates printed and in hand.    
By increasing access to these vital records, the DMV and VDH are making life a little easier for Virginians,” said Governor McAuliffe. “That is an example of what government should do for its citizens. Efficiency, innovation and good service are and will continue to be cornerstones of my administration.”

The process for obtaining vital records through DMV is the same as doing so directly through the Division of Vital Records. Customers complete an application, submit the required documentation, and pay a fee to the agency. The fee for a birth certificate at DMV is $14.

“We are excited to partner with VDH to offer this option to Virginians,” said DMV Commissioner Richard D. Holcomb. “DMV is dedicated to providing security, integrity and convenience in delivering this important service.”   

The Division of Vital Records has long been a trusted steward of Virginia records,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Marissa Levine. “Together with our partners at DMV, we look forward to continuing that tradition while offering new avenues to access important documents.” 

The DMV/VDH partnership was authorized by legislation (SB 1039, Newman) passed by the General Assembly in 2013. In addition to birth certificates, the legislation provides that DMV will begin issuing copies of death, marriage and divorce records on January 1, 2015. All original records will continue to be stored securely at the Vital Records office.
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Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Governor McDonnell Announces Partnership Between DMV, VDH to Provide Greater Citizen Access to Vital Records

English: Governor of Virginia at CPAC in .
English: Governor of Virginia at CPAC in . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Legislation Authorizes DMV to Begin Issuing Birth Certificates Next Year

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell today announced the partnership between the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) allowing DMV to issue birth certificates at its customer service centers beginning March 1, 2014.  Beginning January 1, 2015, DMV is authorized to issue certified copies of all death, marriage, and divorce records. The partnership stems from Senator Steve Newman’s (R-Lynchburg) vital records bill passed during the 2013 General Assembly session. 

The partnership was formally announced today by Senator Newman, State Health Commissioner Dr. Cynthia Romero and DMV Commissioner Richard D. Holcomb during an event at the Lynchburg DMV Customer Service Center.

            “This partnership will make it easier for Virginians to do business with the Commonwealth by streamlining access to vital records,” said Governor McDonnell. “It is a great example of government working better for its citizens.”

“VDH Vital Records and DMV are already providing outstanding service to citizens,” said Senator Newman. “My bill increases the number of outlets for Virginians to securely access those services. We want to make sure that these vital records, which are held in Richmond, are available to the public as easily as possible.”

            Customers will still be able to obtain documents from the VDH Division of Vital Records office in Richmond, or by ordering online for delivery through the mail. The new partnership will make paper birth certificates from 1912 onward available at all 75 DMV customer service centers throughout the state beginning March 1, 2014.

            “With over 9,000 people stopping by our Richmond office each month, it is clear that Virginians are taking advantage of walk-in vital records services,” said State Health Commissioner Cynthia Romero. “We’re excited to partner with DMV to offer the same services in locations throughout the state.”

            VDH and DMV have already laid the groundwork for issuing vital records by joining the multi-state Electronic Verification of Vital Events (EVVE) network, developed and implemented by the National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems (NAPHSIS). Through EVVE, Virginia DMV can verify a customer’s birth record through databases in 31 states, including Virginia. The transaction takes place while the customer is at the counter and prevents eligible customers from being turned away only to return another day with a paper record to complete their DMV business.

            “We have already been able to verify more than 4,400 birth records for our customers, nearly 3,000 of which were Virginia birth records,” said DMV Commissioner Richard D. Holcomb. “These are customers who previously would have been turned away from DMV until they could produce a paper birth certificate. We are excited to offer this service, and our customers are appreciative.”

            The cost to the customer for EVVE certification of a Virginia birth record is $14. The other participating states set their own fees, which vary from state to state..
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