Today’s episode winds up our discussions with the professionals in the Portsmouth Department of Social Services. These individuals that comprise the department work around the clock to protect and serve children, adults, and families. Joining us on this issue of Let’s Talk Portsmouth is Ms. Nokima Stith, Family Services Supervisor in the In-Home Services Unit. The In-Home Services Unit plays a vital role in identifying services and resources that prevent children from entering foster care. The staff help children remain safely in their homes or with relative–kin caregivers. They focus on family engagement, identifying individual needs, creating service plans, monitoring progress, and continually assessing the safety, risk, and protective capabilities of the family component.

In this issue of Let's Talk Portsmouth, we wrap up our series designed to raise awareness about the different roles of Social Services in our community. If there’s one thing we’ve learned in this series – a message that’s been reiterated over and over again – is that these women and men work tirelessly to protect and serve some of the most vulnerable people in society. Joining us on Let’s Talk Portsmouth is Ms. Sharlette Hunter, family services supervisor in the Adult Protective Services unit of the Portsmouth Department of Social Services. Our subject is adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation and how APS investigates these types of cases.

In today’s episode, and throughout the month of August, we’re going to talk with the professionals in the Portsmouth Department of Social Services who work tirelessly to protect and serve some of the most vulnerable in our society. Today, we talked with Stefanie Fabrizio, Senior Family Services Supervisor in the Adoption and Foster Care unit of the Department of Social Services. What we want you, our listeners to know, the departments of social services are wholeheartedly committed to providing stability for all youth in the foster care system, and ensuring that children eligible for adoption are placed in loving and stable homes. Fabrizio provides real insight into the foster care and adoption systems.

In today’s episode and throughout the month of August, Let's Talk Portsmouth speaks with the professionals in the Portsmouth Department of Social Services, who work diligently to protect and serve some of the most vulnerable in our society – children, the elderly, and those who need special care. We tried to dispel some of the misconceptions about Child Protective Services (CPS), its role, and the people who serve. We spoke with Arlene Taborn, Family Services Supervisor, and Deborah McMillan, Child Protective Services supervisor, both from the CPS Unit. Get your notepad out -- you'll want to jot down some information.

As you may be aware, the first Tuesday in August has been designated as National Night Out -- a national community-building campaign that promotes positive police and community partnerships. This year's event takes place Tuesday, August 2. In this episode of Let's Talk Portsmouth, we talk with Assistant Police Chief Na'Shayla Nelson and Sgt. Misty Holley from the Portsmouth Police Department about the 2022 National Night Out event. Thousands of communities across the U.S., and more than 38 million people have taken part in National Night Out since its inception in the 80s. The Portsmouth National Night Out planning committee has organized one huge carnival-type event for 2022. Check it out!

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide has become a leading cause of death in the U.S. Forty-six-thousand people committed suicide in 2020. Suicide and suicide attempts cause serious emotional, physical, and economic impacts. Joining us on this episode of Let's Talk Portsmouth is Dr. Porcha Porter with the city's Behavioral Healthcare Services Department. We talk about the common warning signs of suicidal behavior and how we all can help prevent suicide. Also note that on Saturday, July 16, the 988 will be live as the new three-digit dialing code that routes callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Suicide is preventable. Let's talk . . .

According to the Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration, Fentanyl is about 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. In this issue of Let's Talk Portsmouth, we talk with Dr. Porcha Porter about the increasing number of fentanyl deaths. Dr. Porter is a licensed clinical social worker and clinical manager of short-term services with Portsmouth's Behavioral Healthcare Services Department. She speaks with us about fentanyl addiction, what the synthetic opioid does to the brain, and the crisis in our country caused by this very potent drug.

Book bans, challenges, and book burnings have made the news all throughout the world and in American history. In 2021, the American Library Association (ALA) received 729 reports of book challenges – a rate which the ALA called unprecedented. In this issue of Let's Talk Portsmouth, we spoke with three professional librarians about the recent uptick in book bans and challenges. Lisa Varga, executive director for the Virginia Library Association; Alexander Grosby, programming and outreach librarian with the Portsmouth Public Library system and Easter DiGangi, manager of library systems and support services also with the Portsmouth Public Library formed our panel for this discussion. This lengthy conversation is filled with wisdom from the ages. If you believe in and value your First Amendment Rights, you're going to find this discussion quite interesting.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, maternal mortality has become a disturbing public health problem. Pregnancy and childbirth are killing Black women at an alarming rate, and these women are 243 percent more likely to die from pregnancy or childbirth-related causes. In this episode of Let's Talk Portsmouth, we talk about this public health problem with Ms. Amy Paulson from the Eastern Virginia Medical School's Consortium for Infant and Child Health. Paulson serves as the director of this program that is raising awareness and solving issues and problems associated with women, pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. Listen and find out how you can advocate for pregnant women and raise awareness about this 21st-century public health concern.

In this episode, we conducted a series of quick interviews with city staffers and community connections that provide exciting highlights of summer fun in the historic port city. It's all about music, fun, festivals, concerts, and an update on the Rivers Casino project in Portsmouth. National Night Out, hosted by the Portsmouth Police Department, is also featured. Besides a whirlwind of fun activities, we also provide a reminder about the 2022 Hurricane Season and where listeners can find resources.

The Portsmouth Health Department recently conducted a community health survey and held a town hall meeting to talk about the results. A community health survey is a tool used to gather information on the behaviors of specific groups of people in a determined area. This kind of data allows health care experts to understand how a community acts toward health. In this episode of Let's Talk Portsmouth, healthcare officials discuss the results of the survey and strategize on how we as a community can move forward to make Portsmouth one of the healthiest cities in the country.

Hurricane season begins June 1, for folks living along the eastern Atlantic Coast region of the country. In this issue of Let's Talk Portsmouth, we engage in a great conversation about hurricane preparedness with Shawn Talmadge and Katie Carter from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. This duo of emergency management planners and communication officials talk plainly about the nature of these storms. We learned the difference between a hurricane watch or warning, what the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale means, the expected number of storms, and the hurricane impacts that cause the most devastating damage. Find more information about hurricane preparedness at your local emergency management office, or visit the Virginia Department of Emergency Management at https://www.vaemergency.gov/. Also, if you live in Portsmouth, you can NOW sign up for alerts and notifications from city officials! Sign up today at https://public.alertsense.com/SignUp/?regionid=1635

On this episode of Let's Talk Portsmouth, we speak with Dr. Michelle Pyka, vice president for medical affairs at Bon Secours Mercy Health System. In observance of National Women's Health Month, Dr. Pyka talks about the month-long observance, women's unique health issues, and offers tips for women to obtain optimum health and vitality. Dr. Pyka also stressed the importance of having a good relationship with your healthcare team. Find more information about National Women's Health Month from your healthcare provider or visit https://nationaltoday.com/national-womens-health-week/.

Let's Talk Portsmouth interviews Renee Spratley manager of events for the city of Portsmouth Parks and Recreation Department. After a two-year hiatus, many events are returning to the historic port city including live concerts at the Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion, the 30th Annual Umoja Festival, the Memorial Day Parade, and Sunset Thursdays. We get the low-down on upcoming events and take a quick peek into the summer happenings. If you're looking for fun, family-oriented events and activities, check out Portsmouth. For more information on special events in Portsmouth, visit portsVAevents.com.

Conservation and climate change are hot topics in the news and on social. In this issue of Let's Talk Portsmouth, we interview Marjorie Jackson, executive director of the Elizabeth River Project, and Larry LaPell, Paradise Creek Nature Park park operations manager. The Elizabeth River Project originated with four volunteers in 1991, and now boasts a staff of 30 -- all working with businesses, government, and individuals to restore the river to its original glory. Learn the importance of wetlands and how you can help keep pollution from entering our waterways. Our guests also talked about programs, services, and special events held at Paradise Creek Nature Park. If you have students or other young people interested in conservation, share this episode of Let's Talk Portsmouth.

Portsmouth Community Concerts brings the Sons of Serendip to Churchland High School Friday, April 22, 2022. In this issue of Let's Talk Portsmouth, we sat down with lead vocalist Micah Christian, and members of the Portsmouth Community Concerts board Ken Woolard and Susan Kalan, for a discussion on the Sons of Serendip's music, upcoming concerts, and more. Sons of Serendip appeared on America's Got Talent and were season 9 finalists. Howie Mandel of America's Got Talent, said of the vocal/instrumental quartet, ". . . most musically talented contestants on the show." Just for our listeners, we've snagged a snippet of the Sons of Serendip's Fields of Gold. Single adult tickets for the concert are $25 each and free for students. Order tickets at www.portsmouthcommunityconcerts.com or call 757-686-5447.

The Portsmouth Reentry Council, a non-profit organization based in the city's Department of Social Services, works with people who have been released from prison and are trying to reintegrate into society. Its members work with dozens of agencies across the Commonwealth to help returning citizens rejoin the community. In this episode of Let's Talk Portsmouth, we talk with two of those agencies that work with the reentry council to help men and women overcome the challenges of reintegration. Joining us on the podcast are Dr. Tyrone Davis (Fatherhood Mentoring Program), Ms. Liz Odhwani, (Social Security Administration), and Janice Douglass-Ellis (Portsmouth Department of Social Services). Get a pen and paper. You're going to want to jot down notes for this issue of Let's Talk Portsmouth.

On this issue of Let's Talk Portsmouth, we interview Janice Douglass-Ellis, from the Portsmouth Department of Social Services. Ellis works on a project called the Portsmouth Reentry Council with the goal of easing the transition of formerly incarcerated individuals back into the community. The Reentry Council is voluntarily implemented and does not have an actual office, employees, or funding. The Portsmouth  Reentry Council is an excellent resource for returning citizens to access community resources and learn more about community capabilities. The Council addresses the following: workforce development, education, finance obligations, housing, mental health, substance abuse, community integration, and much more. The needs of the communities will likely dictate the services. The Reentry Council integrates human services, public safety, and community partners. Volunteers and mentors are needed. If you're interested, reach out to Janice Douglass-Ellis at 757-408-1800, EXT. 8725.

The Wesley Community Service Center was established in 1937 when a group of Methodist women in Portsmouth joined forces to form a city mission board to get involved in community needs and social issues. In 2022, the Wesley Community Service Center is still operating with the same goal – to assist people and improve the community. On this issue of Let’s Talk Portsmouth, we spoke with Renyatta Banks, executive director of the Wesley Community Service Center, about the center’s work and a major fundraising event coming in May 2022. Check out At Your Service with Dana Woodson on PCTV Channel 48 (COX) and Channel 39 (FiOS) for more info about the Wesley Center's W.E. Worship Concert fundraiser.

In this episode of Let's Talk Portsmouth, we spoke with Bryan K. Stephens, President and CEO for the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. There are approximately 7,000 chambers of commerce in the country. The Hampton Roads Chamber, via the creation of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, has been around since 1801. Stephens talks about the upcoming State of the City series, the Chamber’s role in helping businesses succeed, the importance of embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion in business, and a host of other programming designed to connect individuals with businesses and each other.