Program areas at GoochlandCares
Health care services: medical services include treatment and follow-up of minor acute illnesses, diagnostic testing, gynecological services, eye care, referrals to specialists, medications, and cancer screenings. In addition, our chronic disease treatment program seeks to identify and address the education and lifestyle issues that contribute to diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. Patients are monitored regularly, and the medical provider encourages smoking cessation, healthy eating, increased activity, and proper use of prescription drugs, most of which are provided at no charge to the patients.Dental care is provided by a small staff augmented by approximately 5 volunteer dentists, 6 volunteer dental assistants, and a number of dental and dental hygiene students. Services include cleaning, restorations, exams, x-rays, extractions, and dentures. In addition, GC provides mentors and a practice site for dental students and dental hygiene students from Virginia Commonwealth University.Behavioral health services included assessment, references, counseling, and success to monitoring of medications.In 2023, health care programs provided 3,632 visits.GC medical transportation vehicles drove over 35,000 miles and provided 998 rides for patients to visit health care providers in Goochland County, Henrico County, and Richmond.
Housing services: programs include critical home repairs to return clients' homes to safe conditions, emergency temporary housing, and emergency financial assistance for rent or mortgage or utilities in order to prevent homelessness. Home repairs include roof repairs or replacements, heating system repairs or replacements, wheelchair ramps, plumbing repairs, window and door repairs, septic system repairs and carpentry repairs. 71 low-income Goochland families received repairs in 2023. Emergency financial assistance kept 220 families in their homes.
Food and clothing: GC operates a weekly food pantry that provides nutritional support for low-income clients. During 2023, 839 families received nearly 621,000 pounds of food, 87% of which was donated by the community.In addition, GC provided vouchers to the clothes closet thrift shop so that 1,068 low-income individuals - including 367 children - could access clothing and small household items at no charge.
Case management, domestic violence assistance, literacy/GED tutoring. Domestic and sexual violence services assisted 74 individuals in 2023 through advocacy and safe housing.