Department of Social Services (765)

Authority: Title 2.2, Chapter 54; Title 63.2, Chapter 2, Code of Virginia; Title VI, Subtitle B, P.L. 97-35, as amended; P.L. 103-252, as amended; P.L. 104-193, as amended, Federal Code.

A. The Department of Social Services, in collaboration with the Office of Comprehensive Services, shall provide training to local staff serving on Family Assessment and Planning Teams and Community Policy and Management Teams. Training shall include, but need not be limited to, the federal and state requirements pertaining to the provision of the foster care services funded under § 2.2-5211, Code of Virginia. The training shall also include written guidance concerning which services remain the financial responsibility of the local departments of social services. Training shall be provided on a regional basis at least once per year. Written guidance shall be updated and provided to local Comprehensive Services Act teams whenever there is a change in allowable expenses under federal or state guidelines. In addition, the Department of Social Services shall provide ongoing local oversight of its federal and state requirements related to the provision of services funded under § 2.2-5211, Code of Virginia.

B. By November 1 of each year, the Department of Planning and Budget, in cooperation with the Department of Social Services, shall prepare and submit a forecast of expenditures for cash assistance provided through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, mandatory child day care services under TANF, foster care maintenance and adoption subsidy payments, upon which the Governor’s budget recommendations will be based, for the current and subsequent two years to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees.

C. Out of this appropriation, $1,925,380 the first year and $1,829,111 the second year from the general fund and $1,925,380 the first year and $1,829,111 the second year from nongeneral funds shall be provided to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) contract cost.

D.  The Department of Social Services may revise the current schedule for the issuance of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits over a two-month conversion period while minimizing the impact on current recipients, provided that no general fund dollars are required to implement the conversion.  If the department determines that there are any general fund costs required to implement the conversion, the department may revise the current schedule for the issuance of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for new enrollees only.  The department may spread out the issuance of SNAP benefits over nine calendar days with payments occurring on the first, fourth, seventh, and ninth day of the month.  The department has the authority to accept private donations to complete the transition to this revised schedule of payments by December 1, 2012.

E. Out of this appropriation, $175,000 the first year and $175,000 the second year from the general fund shall be available for utilization management services. The Office of Comprehensive Services and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, in cooperation with representatives of the Virginia Association of Counties, the Virginia Municipal League, and the State Executive Council, shall develop the criteria and guidelines to be followed when providing these utilization management services.

F. 1. Out of this appropriation, ten positions and the associated funding shall be dedicated to providing on-going financial oversight of foster care services.  Each of the ten positions, with two working out of each regional office, shall assess and review all foster care spending to ensure that state and federal standards are met.  None of these positions shall be used for quality, information technology, or clerical functions. 

2. By September 1 of each year, the department shall report to the Governor, the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees, and the Director, Department of Planning and Budget regarding the foster care program’s statewide spending, error rates and compliance with state and federal reviews.