Department of Social Services (765)

Authority: Title 2.2, Chapter 54; Title 63.2, Chapters 2 and 21, 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. The Department of Social Services shall provide administrative support and technical assistance to the Family and Children's Trust Fund (FACT) Board of Trustees established in Sections 63.2-2100 through 63.2-2103, Code of Virginia.

D. Out of this appropriation, $1,829,111 the first year and $1,829,111 the second year from the general fund and $1,829,111 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.

E. 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. 

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.

G.1. Out of this appropriation, $100,000 the first year from the general fund shall be used to contract with a private entity, with expertise in government systems, finance, and child welfare services, to develop a plan for implementing the provisions of the federal Foster Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-351; P.L. 111-148).  This plan shall 1) include a six year projection of the fiscal impact associated with the Department of Social Services (DSS), the Comprehensive Services Act, and local departments of social services; 2) review of all necessary statutory, regulatory and administrative changes that are required by the federal law; 3) include a draft of any necessary legislative and regulatory changes; 4) include a draft of any necessary amendments to the Title IV-E state plan; 5) outline the impact on other child welfare services; and 6) assess any impact on children and families.  The final implementation plan must be approved by the Commissioner, DSS and Director, Office of Comprehensive Services.  By October 15, 2014, DSS shall provide this plan to the Governor, Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees, Secretary of Health and Human Resources, and the Director, Department of Planning and Budget.

2.  Out of the appropriations in Items 336 and 339, $4,838,071 the second year from the general fund and $8,382,412 the second year from nongeneral funds shall be available for the expansion of foster care and adoption assistance in accordance federal Fostering Connections provisions per the final implementation plan required in paragraph G.1. above.