Get Involved

Let your voice be heard!

There are many opportunities for community members to get involved with different groups throughout Virginia.  Whether you are wanting to have your voice heard or looking for a group of peers, this page may have helpful information.

Read more about the various community groups that meet to provide feedback to VDH below.  If you are looking for a public hearing date or attending a meeting, contact Ashley Yocum, Care Services Planner, at ashley.yocum@vdh.virginia.gov, or Elaine Martin, Director, Division of Disease Prevention, at elaine.martin@vdh.virginia.gov.

Virginia Community HIV Planning Group

The Virginia Community HIV Planning Group (CHPG) is made of persons who are of the community and serve the community.  They work to develop a broad HIV prevention and care plan for Virginia. HIV planning is an important process in which service providers’ work with the community and key stakeholders to enhance access to HIV services for the highest affected populations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mandates the process for all states receiving federal prevention funding.

The Virginia planning group formed in 1994 in compliance with requirements from CDC. Since 1994, there have been many changes in approaches to HIV, brought about by medical advances in the treatment of and testing for HIV.

Goals

The goals of community HIV planning align with the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, which are:

    • Reduce new HIV infections in Virginia
    • Increase access to care and improve health outcomes for people living with HIV; and
    • Reduce HIV-related health disparities.

To meet these goals, the CHPG identifies new members for the planning process.  Once the planning body is complete, the engagement process begins.  Finally, the CHPG develops, implements, and monitors a jurisdictional HIV plan.  This plan is a five-year planning document that is updated annually.  Updates address the emerging and changing needs of the community.

Membership

The CHPG, as described in its bylaws, must be made of no less than 25 members and no more than 35 members. A CHPG membership subcommittee selects new members from a pool of nominees.  Ideal candidates represent the epidemic in Virginia.  State agency representation is also included on the CHPG.

To contact the CHPG , please contact Ashley Yocum, Care Services Planner, at ashley.yocum@vdh.virginia.gov, or Elaine Martin, Director, Division of Disease Prevention, at elaine.martin@vdh.virginia.gov. 

Applying for Membership

Persons seeking membership on the group must complete a confidential application form. The application process is ongoing and there is no deadline for submission.  Applications are kept on file for two years and are considered as vacancies arise or membership terms end.

Members are asked to make a two-year commitment to the group. The full group meets 6 to 8 times per year.  Meetings occur in Richmond and are daylong.   Subcommittee meetings occur periodically in a variety of locations.  Members must be active participants.  Attendance requirements are strict and members who fail to attend on a regular basis will lose their membership.  Members are reimbursed for travel expenses, meals, and lodging.

Individuals interested in membership please contact Ashley Yocum, Care Services Planner, at ashley.yocum@vdh.virginia.gov, or Elaine Martin, Director, Division of Disease Prevention, at elaine.martin@vdh.virginia.gov. 

Virginia Hepatitis Coalition

Virginia has a newly formed Hepatitis Coalition that advocates for persons affected by viral hepatitis.

Members include:

    • representatives from community based organizations;
    • representatives from national organizations;
    • health care providers;
    • clinical support staff;
    • drug user health;
    • pharmaceutical industry;
    • VDH staff; and
    • other government agency staff.

Anyone working in, or interested in, viral hepatitis issues are welcome to join the calls. If anyone interested is not able to participate in the Coalition but would like to participate in the Hepatitis Elimination Planning workgroup.  Visit https://vahep.org/ or contact vhc-organizing-committee@googlegroups.com for more information.

Virginia Meetings/Public Halls

Virginia posts a list of their public hearings, meetings, and committee meetings.  You can access this list on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall website.

The Virginia CHPG posts all of their meetings on this site.

If you are interested in other meetings in Virginia, click on the meeting title to see details on if the entirety of the meeting is open to the public, if public comments are accepted, etc.  Contact information for organizers of meetings are available and agendas are provided when available for each meeting.

Last Updated: February 4, 2025