The Northern Virginia AHEC opened in 1996 as the eighth and final member of the Virginia Statewide AHEC Program. Its work encompasses both programs that serve current providers and opportunities geared toward building a stronger health care workforce for the future.

Community Health Connect focuses solely on meeting the region's providers' stated needs for support as they serve this region's widely diverse, multi-cultural population. Its education programs are designed to enhance skills and knowledge in cross-cultural health. The Community Health Interpreter Service allows providers to communicate more effectively with their patients. A full description of these services appears in the Practice Support Services section.

The Community Partners Program addresses future needs through two programs. Current health care students may participate in Primary Care Student Rotation Opportunities, in which Northern Virginia AHEC partners with a variety of schools and institutions to create community-based placements. The second program, Health Careers Recruitment Activities, reaches potential providers through summer science camps and other programs designed to recruit young people, particularly minorities and disadvantaged students, into health careers.