Online Services | Commonwealth Sites | Help | Governor

    (Click to return to home page) - image of Virginia Department of Social Services logo Virginia Department of Social Services  

clear image used for formatting purposes only
About Us | Adults | Children | Community Partners | Financial Assistance | Forms and Applications | Jobs | Local Offices | Site Map
 
clear image used for formatting purposes only 
clear image used for formatting purposes only
Home upward pointing arrow
Programs and Services for Communities This is an image of a burgundy arrow pointing to the right, indicating that this is the page you are currently displaying
2-1-1 VIRGINIA downwardly pointing arrow indicating that this is the way to a page with more detailed information connected to subjects on the page you are currently displaying
Community Services Block Grant downwardly pointing arrow indicating that this is the way to a page with more detailed information connected to subjects on the page you are currently displaying
Council on the Status of Women downwardly pointing arrow indicating that this is the way to a page with more detailed information connected to subjects on the page you are currently displaying
Faith-Based & Community Initiative (FBCI) downwardly pointing arrow indicating that this is the way to a page with more detailed information connected to subjects on the page you are currently displaying
Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) downwardly pointing arrow indicating that this is the way to a page with more detailed information connected to subjects on the page you are currently displaying
Prisoner Reentry Program downwardly pointing arrow indicating that this is the way to a page with more detailed information connected to subjects on the page you are currently displaying
Refugee Resettlement downwardly pointing arrow indicating that this is the way to a page with more detailed information connected to subjects on the page you are currently displaying
clear image used for formatting purposes only
clear image used for formatting purposes only
  Programs and Services for Communities  
clear image used for formatting purposes only image of file cabinet icon representing help opening filesHelp Opening Files image of printer indicating printer friendly versionPrinter Version  image of text versionText Version  image of an envelope indicating user can e-mail this page to someoneE-mail Page
 
clear image used for formatting purposes only


The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) fosters community collaboration by providing services and sponsoring various grants, funds, programs and initiatives such as those listed below.

Services

  • 2-1-1 VIRGINIA - An easy to remember telephone number connecting people with free information on community resources in Virginia.

Grants & Funds

  • Community Service Block Grant Program (CSBG) - Networks over 20 Virginia Community Action Agencies Partners (VACAP), providing a wide range of community based services, including day care, employment, emergency services, housing, transportation, and adult and child education.
  • Family and Children's Trust Fund (FACT) - Provides support and development of services for the prevention and treatment of family violence in Virginia, including child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse and neglect, dating violence and suicide. FACT is governed by a board of trustees appointed by the Governor to raise and distribute funds for family violence treatment, prevention and public awareness. VDSS provides staff support and technical assistance to the FACT Board and the Commissioner is a permanent member of the board.
  • Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF) - The primary goal of services provided through this program are:
    • Keeping at risk children with their parents rather than placing them in foster care whenever possible
    • Returning children already in foster care to their families as soon as possible.
    • Providing supportive services to families who have adopted a child from foster care

Programs & Initiatives

  • Council on the Status of Women's Caregiver Award Program - An annual award that heightens public awareness as to the contributions of those who take care of aging parents, disabled siblings, spouses, children family and friends.
  • Faith-Based and Community Initiative (FBCI) - Provides outreach to community organizations by responding to requests for technical assistance, conducting workshops on applying for state and federal funding, successful collaboration and establishing volunteer programs.
  • Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) - Has over 200 nonprofit participants and processes 1,500 business donations annually. It collaborates or networks with statewide and local organizations on volunteerism projects and initiatives. Annually, 3.25 million volunteers are mobilized across the Commonwealth.
  • Office of Volunteerism and Community Service (OVCS) - Works with faith-based and community organizations in addressing the educational, public safety and human needs of the Commonwealth's citizens. The office administers Virginia's AmeriCorps State program and provides support for the Virginia Faith-Based and Community Initiative (FBCI). Visit their Web site at http://www.vaservice.org/ to find links to Virginia's volunteer centers, a calendar of training and service events, facts and statistics about service and volunteerism, and information about Virginia AmeriCorps programs.
  • Prisoner Reentry Program - Includes the Virginia Reentry Policy Academy Pilot Programs, works with the Virginia Social Services System and community partners to develop effective prisoner reentry strategies designed to reduce costly recidivism rates by improving pre-and post-release services.
  • Refugee Resettlement - The Office of Newcomer Services is responsible for the resettlement of approximately 2,000 refugees into the Commonwealth every year. This office helps refugees and their families achieve economic self-sufficiency and successful integration into their new communities.
  • Virginia Community Corps (VCC) - AmeriCorps State program funded through the Governor's Commission on Community and National Service. Since its inception in October 2003, VCC contributes to the mission of VSSS by providing volunteers to local departments of social services and community action agencies throughout the state to promote self-sufficiency for low-income families, increase and improve access to high quality services and support, and mobilize other volunteers in the community.


_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
 
Virginia Department of Social Services • © Commonwealth of Virginia 2006
Contact Us • Mission & Strategic Plan • Web Policy