March is marked as Women's History Month and during its 50th anniversary this year, the Regional Commission recognizes and celebrates women's contributions to the region and the Commission by appointed Commissioners, staff and partner organizations.

• Kate Botts White was the first female member of the Regional Commission upon her appointment from Culpeper County in January 1976. Ms. Botts White served four years on the Commission and was Treasurer in 1978 and 1979.
• Jane Walker, Town of Culpeper Council representative, was the first female Chair of the Regional Commission, serving in that role from March 1993 to February 1995
• Ruth Updike (Culpeper County, 1995-1997), Sue Hansohn (Culpeper County, 2012-2013), Doris Lackey (Madison County, 2014-2015) and Meaghan Taylor (Town of Culpeper, 2021-2023) have also led the Commission as Chair.

Including those serving in leadership roles on the Commission, RRRC remains grateful for the contributions and service of the 35 female Commissioners during the past 50 years including current members Meaghan Taylor, Debbie Donehey (Rappahannock County) and Lori Sisson (Town of The Plains), as well as past and current staff members that have made valuable and far-reaching contributions to the region.

The Regional Transportation Collaborative, under the leadership of RRRC's Mobility Manager and partner LOWLINC, recently received results of Transportation Needs Assessment from The Center for Survey Research (CSR) at the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center. CSR conducted the Orange County 2022 Transportation Needs Assessment to assess the transportation needs of residents of eastern Orange County who were 55 years of age or older or are 18 to 54 with mobility challenges that affect their access to transportation. 

A total of 214 Orange County residents who were 55 or older or had a mobility challenge participated in the survey. A total of 19% of respondents reported needing help driving some or all of the time. Further, among respondents with transportation needs, only 7% were aware of the call center, 7% were aware of other services (e.g., Lake of the Woods Church, Medicaid), and 4% were aware of Care-a-Van. Approximately one-fifth of respondents with transportation needs (21%) were not aware of any of the listed resources and services. Approximately 53% of respondents reporting transportation needs did not consider themselves physically able to drive, with 31% reporting a physical impairment. Of individuals in need, 79% had family and friends drive them when needed and 12% reported being ‘homebound’ with no transportation support option. 

The study also explored where individuals were traveling and why; core services such as doctors, prescription pickups, grocery, religious services, banking, and grooming were all within a 5-mile distance from individuals' residence. Healthcare specialists and hospital services ranged from 15 to 25 miles from residences. 

The information identified in the Weldon Cooper Study confirms local data gathered over the last four years by the Mobility Center on transportation needs. The group focused on this study and proceeding projects is made up of LOWLINC and RTC staff/volunteers with input from a Lee Frame, District Five Supervisor, and Orange County planning staff. Results of the study along with Mobility Center data highlight a need for continued and growing outreach and awareness building among the target audience. Additionally, the proximity of desired destinations presents an opportunity to implement a pilot project utilizing LOWLINC volunteer drivers to provide prescheduled twice weekly group transportation at designated times to locations along the Route 3 corridor, such as Wal-Mart. This pilot is in the preliminary phases with hopes to implement in Fall 2023, with data to be collected to help determine viability for long-term or alternative location implementation in the future.

Questions on the report can be directed to Kristin Lam Peraza at klamperaza@rrregion.org.

Water is not only big business in the American southwest.  Some of the most economically valuable sectors of the Chesapeake Bay watershed depend upon clean water and healthy ecosystems.  Without these vital resources, localities may find themselves losing businesses to those able to provide them. Module 3 of the Local Government Guide to the Chesapeake Bay, Clean Water for the Economy, highlights the economic importance of good water quality to local communities, with statistical evidence from a range of industries, including Virginia examples.



Visit the Module for a list resources to learn more, or contact RRRC to learn what you can do in our region to protect or improve water quality in our region.

A Local Government Guide to the Chesapeake Bay is a series of seven educational modules designed to inform and empower local decision making. They were developed by the federal Chesapeake Bay Program in collaboration with local government officials and subject matter experts.  Look for content from others modules in future newsletters, including new modules currently in-development.

RRRC staff have provided presentations on individual modules and train-the-trainer overviews. For additional information or to schedule a presentation in your local government, please contact Michelle Edwards at medwards@rrregion.org.
 

Earlier this month, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced more than $12 million in Virginia Housing Trust Fund Homeless Reduction Grants for 68 projects across the Commonwealth. Included among these awards is funding for several new or expanded projects in the Rappahannock-Rapidan for Foothills Housing Network partner organizations. RRRC's Continuum of Care Coordinator provided grantwriting and technical assistance to all partner organizations as part of the Virginia Homeless Solutions Program (VHSP) application process.

Community Touch: $65,000 to support additional rapid re-housing and provision of case management to homeless community members and households, to include landlord engagement and housing location services.

Culpeper Community Development Corporation: $100,000 to support additional rapid re-housing and provision of case management to homeless community members and households.

People Incorporated: $95,986 to support expansion of the existing Foothills Housing Network Permanent Supportive Housing program that offers safe, stable housing with case management and supportive services at scattered sites across the region.

Rappahannock-Rapidan Community Services: $222,000 to support Permanent Supportive Housing programs, outreach to homeless community members, and expansion of eligible individuals and households at RRCS units and scattered sites across the region.

Rappahannock-Rapidan Community Services: $148,000 to support rapid re-housing and provision of case management for RRCS rapid re-housing program beginning in 2023.