Social and Senior Services

  Nelson County has an unusually high percentage of our population as senior citizens: over half of the county is older than 51 years of age. The county also has a high poverty rate of 14.37%, higher than both the Virginia average (10%) and the national average (12.5%). More than 22% of county residents are enrolled in Medicaid.

  I have been deeply involved in providing services to both the elderly and the disadvantaged. I spent four years on the Board of Directors of the Department of Social Services (DSS) and was instrumental in initiating the process to build a new home for DSS.

  In Nelson County, the Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA) provides support for adults 60+, and adults with disabilities and caregivers. I have represented Nelson County on JABA’s Board of Directors since 2018. Besides providing regular socialization, meals and care programs at the Nelson Center, JABA serves the entire county, providing aging services coordination, disability support, caregiver support, insurance counseling and home delivered meals. JABA also staffs a Senior Helpline and Ombudsman Services to investigate complaints, advocate for fairness and accountability, and mediate and resolve disputes.

  I assisted in the establishment of Here To Stay Wintergreen in my capacity as Board Member of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission Corporation, which provided a non-profit umbrella for initial financing. Here To Stay Wintergreen helps neighbors who want to continue living safely and independently in their homes by connecting Wintergreen residents with information, resources and services.