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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 - The purpose of the council is to help women reach their potential and maximize their contributions to society and the Commonwealth.
- 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) - This program emphasizes partnerships between the private and public sector to assist the economically deprived. State tax credits are provided as an incentive for businesses and individuals to contribute directly to an approved nonprofit organization designed to benefit impoverished people.
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Office on 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 Programs - 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.
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