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.
• Money Follows the Person (MFP) - Virginia is one of 31 states participating in a five-year, $1.75 billion "MFP" Demonstration project designed to create a system of long-term services and supports that better enable individuals to transition from certain long-term care institutions into the community. This project supports Virginia's Olmstead initiative and complements the efforts of the recently awarded Systems Transformation Grant that aims to improve the infrastructure for community-based long-term supports. Virginia's MFP project, administered by the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), will make over $28 million in federal Medicaid funds available to support Virginia's seniors and individuals with disabilities.
  • Frequently asked Questions (PDF)
  • Training Information (PDF)
• 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.
• Workforce Investment - In 2006, the Virginia General Assembly enacted legislation to strengthen workforce development efforts in Virginia. Governor Kaine issued Executive Order 61 authorizing the creation of a comprehensive local One Stop workforce delivery system to be known as the Virginia Workforce Network. The federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) mandates that certain programs, including employment services provided by the Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare (VIEW), the Food Stamp Employment and Training (FSET) and community action agencies, be made available in each comprehensive One Stop.