Virginia is leading transformative health initiatives to improve care and support for individuals and families. Under Governor Youngkin’s leadership, we’re expanding behavioral health services, preventing substance use, strengthening youth mental health, improving maternal care, growing the healthcare workforce, enhancing accessibility, and modernizing long-term care.
Initiatives
Right Help, Right Now
Under Governor Youngkin’s leadership, Right Help, Right Now is transforming Virginia’s behavioral health system by expanding same-day crisis care, reducing emergency department overcrowding, easing the burden on law enforcement, and increasing resources for substance use treatment and recovery.
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It Only Takes One
An initiative of First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin, It Only Takes One is tackling the fentanyl crisis by empowering parents and kids with resources to understand its dangers and prevent accidental overdoses. Through open conversations and education, this initiative aims to protect young lives and build safer, stronger communities across the Commonwealth.
Reclaiming Childhood
Virginia is prioritizing children's mental health by addressing social media harms and reducing screen time in schools and at home. Families can support these efforts by fostering open conversations, modeling healthy screen habits, and pledging to cut screen time by 25% in 2025.
Maternal Health
Governor Youngkin's maternal health initiative focuses on reducing maternal mortality, increasing access to care, and engaging diverse communities. Through collaboration with state agencies, health care professionals, and community leaders, the plan aims to improve maternal health outcomes across Virginia.
Healthcare Workforce
Virginia is strengthening its healthcare workforce to ensure all residents have access to high-quality care. By addressing critical shortages in nursing and behavioral health, the Commonwealth is expanding training, streamlining licensing, and offering financial incentives to grow and retain skilled healthcare professionals.
Children and Families
Virginia is transforming child welfare by expanding kinship care, increasing placements with relatives, and reducing foster care entries. The Safe and Sound Task Force, launched in 2022, has already reduced displaced youth by 89%, ensuring more stable placements for children in need.
Language and Disability Access
Virginia is expanding access for individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) and disabilities by improving communication and services across health agencies. This initiative removes barriers to essential services, ensuring all Virginians can access the support they need.
Long-Term Care
Virginia is working to modernize long-term care by updating licensing fees and strengthening provider standards. Efforts include empowering the Health Commissioner to apply sanctions, ensuring higher quality and safer care for residents of nursing facilities across the Commonwealth.