A forum on strategies for maintaining access to essential healthcare coverage recently took place at Virginia Peninsula Community College. Called Strategic Partnerships: Empowering Our Community for SNAP and Medicaid, the event was presented by Celebrate Healthcare in collaboration with United Way.
It convened government officials, community and faith leaders, business representatives, and nonprofit organizations on the Hampton Campus at the Peninsula Workforce Development Center.
Gaylene Kanoyton of Celebrate Healthcare and Charvella West of United Way led the Oct. 31 session. Discussions focused on developing strategies and identifying resources to help community members meet new work and volunteer requirements while maintaining access to essential healthcare coverage.
Dr. Adrienne Cosby of Workforce Development at VPCC, a partner in the collaboration, explained that eligible adults must work, volunteer, or participate in a job training program for at least 80 hours per month to continue receiving benefits under the updated guidelines.
The gathering allowed participants to share resources available through their respective organizations and discuss how to best support individuals in meeting the new requirements. The forum emphasized community-driven solutions, with attendees offering practical tools, services, and guidance for those affected.
Representing the Virginia Poverty Law Center, Cassie Edner and Deepak Madela provided insights into the proposed policy changes that were expected to take effect Nov. 1, while VPCC’s Bobby Perkins, director of Manufacturing, Skilled Trades & Transportation, shared information about short-term occupational training programs. Perkins noted many programs can be completed in six months or less and are designed to help individuals transition into the workforce and meet the new requirements.
Among attendees who joined the conversation were Congressman Bobby Scott, Virginia Del. Shelly Simonds, and Hampton City Manager Mary Bunting, a past member of VPCC’s Local College Board.
Ahead of the Oct. 31 forum, Perkins and Kanoyton were featured on WAVY television’s Hampton Roads Show, discussing “understanding healthcare coverage.” Check out their interview at https://www.wavy.com/hr-show/hrs-understanding-healthcare-coverage/.