Response from the VDH Commissioner

Today I received a response to the email I had sent last week to the Virginia Department of Health:

Mr. Jack Starry

nsvar.org@gmail.com

This is in reply to your recent email to Dr. Kalanges, Sidnee Dallas and me regarding the closure of the child development clinic (CDC) in Winchester. Thank you for expressing your concerns and raising specific issues regarding access to services for children with special healthcare needs.

We live in challenging times as fiscal resources continue to decline while the burden of important health issues in our children remain the same or even worsen. As Commissioner, I find that the decisions facing VDH are only becoming more difficult with few good answers. Despite that challenge I remain committed to assuring quality service to those in need. To that end, despite the shrinking resources, we continue to work to be sure a quality Child Development Clinic service can continue in each region of the Commonwealth. We realize this represents a change particularly for families already challenged by the issues they face; however, I have directed our staff to work with you to determine how, together, we can lessen the impact of financial limitations we all face.

In response to your correspondence, VDH management has again reviewed plans involving the Winchester CDC in depth but determined that the date of closure for the clinic cannot be changed at this time. VDH recognizes that this closure may cause additional challenges for families in your community. As a result, VDH staff is researching other options we may be able to offer these families to facilitate their utilization of CDC services.

I greatly appreciate your sincere interest and dedication to this matter. I have directed Dr. Charles Devine, Director of the Lord Fairfax Health District, to contact you in order to schedule a personal meeting to discuss this issue further and elicit your input. You can expect to hear from Dr. Devine in the very near future. Please feel free to contact him at (540) 722-3480 or at charles.devine@vdh.virginia.gov.

Cynthia Romero, MD, FAAFP

State Health Commissioner

Virginia Department of Health

109 Governor Street

Richmond, Virginia 23219
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I fully plan on meeting with Dr. Devine and work to keep these services local.

What options do you feel are viable? What would work for you to ensure the best possible care for your special loved one? Please respond here or email me at nsvar.org@gmail.com and let me know!