People First
Demonstrating service, respect and compassion in every interaction.
Who We Are
About the Virginia Department of Social Services
The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) operates within a three-part system that includes our 120 local departments of social services (LDSS) and the Virginia Community Action Partnership (VACAP). VDSS proudly serves alongside 13,000 state and local human services professionals who ensure nearly three million Virginians have access to critical services and resources.
Our mission is to design and deliver high-quality human services that help Virginians achieve safety, independence and overall well-being.
Every day, we partner with communities, organizations and stakeholders across the Commonwealth to ensure all Virginians have the resources and opportunities they need to build strong futures.
Grounded in our commitment to public service, our work is guided by five core values:
Embrace Differences
Seeking and honoring the skills, creativity and contributions of others.
Commit to Excellence
Performing high-quality work with integrity, civility and accountability.
Think Bigger
Focusing on opportunities to learn, innovate, improve and transform.
Win Together
Celebrating the successful outcomes of strong and collaborative partnerships.
Leadership
The Virginia Department of Social Services is guided by agency leadership, statewide divisions and local partners working together to support Virginians, strengthen families and serve communities across the Commonwealth.
Commissioner
Duke Storen
VDSS Commissioner
Duke Storen serves as Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services, leading agency programs, services and operations that help Virginians meet basic needs, support families and strengthen communities.
Agency leadership
Executive Leadership
Senior agency leaders
The Commissioner is supported by the Chief Deputy Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners, directors, senior leaders and more than 1,500 social services professionals committed to serving Virginians.
Organizational Chart
Learn more about how VDSS is organized by viewing the organizational chart .
What We Do
The Virginia Department of Social Services is one of Virginia's largest state agencies. We work alongside 120 local departments, 5 regional offices, and 31 community action agencies to deliver programs across all 134 Virginia localities.
Adoption
The Virginia Adoption Program helps children in foster care find safe, permanent homes when they cannot return to their families.
Child Protective Services
Child Protective Services helps protect children under 18 by responding to reports of abuse or neglect.
Child Support Services
Child Support Enforcement helps parents and caregivers establish and manage child support and paternity cases.
Foster Care
Virginia foster care gives children safe, temporary homes while working to reunite families when it is safe.
Refugee Services
Virginia helps refugees and their families adjust, find stability and build strong futures.
Benefit Programs
Virginia Department of Social Services offers benefits and support to help people meet basic needs and build stability.
Find my local department