Department of Social Services [765]
Secretarial Area: Health and Human Resources
Operating Budget Summary
This table shows the Governor's proposed budget for the next two years and the agency's official budget for the previous six years.
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Biennium Fiscal Year Source GF NGF Total
2014-2016 2015 Chapter 732, 2016 Acts of Assembly $392,352,241 $1,569,200,595 $1,961,552,836
2014-2016 2016 Chapter 732, 2016 Acts of Assembly $403,251,996 $1,589,470,738 $1,992,722,734
2016-2018 2017 Chapter 1, 2018 Acts of Assembly $415,809,095 $1,607,168,963 $2,022,978,058
2016-2018 2018 Chapter 1, 2018 Acts of Assembly $420,181,314 $1,631,832,563 $2,052,013,877
2018-2020 2019 Chapter 1283, 2020 Acts of Assembly $429,427,587 $1,678,486,822 $2,107,914,409
2018-2020 2020 Chapter 1283, 2020 Acts of Assembly $431,177,854 $1,788,437,837 $2,219,615,691
2020-2022 2021 Chapter 1289, 2020 Acts of Assembly $469,712,196 $1,789,329,766 $2,259,041,962
2020-2022 2021 Base Budget $433,983,740 $1,710,266,240 $2,144,249,980
2020-2022 2021 Governor's Amendments $57,491,499 $70,045,840 $127,537,339
2020-2022 2021 General Assembly Adjustments ($21,763,043) $9,017,686 ($12,745,357)
2020-2022 2022 Chapter 1289, 2020 Acts of Assembly $477,257,300 $1,596,003,115 $2,073,260,415
2020-2022 2022 Base Budget $433,983,740 $1,710,266,240 $2,144,249,980
2020-2022 2022 Governor's Amendments $65,965,166 ($113,664,862) ($47,699,696)
2020-2022 2022 General Assembly Adjustments ($22,691,606) ($598,263) ($23,289,869)
Positions Budget Summary
Biennium Fiscal Year Source GF NGF Total
2014-2016 2015 Chapter 732, 2016 Acts of Assembly 559.21 1,162.29 1,721.50
2014-2016 2016 Chapter 732, 2016 Acts of Assembly 615.21 1,213.29 1,828.50
2016-2018 2017 Chapter 1, 2018 Acts of Assembly 615.21 1,216.29 1,831.50
2016-2018 2018 Chapter 1, 2018 Acts of Assembly 676.99 1,163.51 1,840.50
2018-2020 2019 Chapter 1283, 2020 Acts of Assembly 624.00 1,198.50 1,822.50
2018-2020 2020 Chapter 1283, 2020 Acts of Assembly 638.00 1,213.50 1,851.50
2020-2022 2021 Chapter 1289, 2020 Acts of Assembly 653.00 1,224.50 1,877.50
2020-2022 2021 Base Budget 638.00 1,213.50 1,851.50
2020-2022 2021 Governor's Amendments 15.00 11.00 26.00
2020-2022 2021 General Assembly Adjustments 0.00 0.00 0.00
2020-2022 2022 Chapter 1289, 2020 Acts of Assembly 661.00 1,074.50 1,735.50
2020-2022 2022 Base Budget 638.00 1,213.50 1,851.50
2020-2022 2022 Governor's Amendments 23.00 (139.00) (116.00)
2020-2022 2022 General Assembly Adjustments 0.00 0.00 0.00
Operating Budget Addenda (in order of greatest impact)
•
Adjust appropriation for centrally funded three percent salary increase for state-supported local employees Base Budget Adjustment
  Adjusts appropriation for the three percent salary increase for state-supported local employees budgeted in Central Appropriations, Item 474 U. of Chapter 854, 2019 Acts of Assembly.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $3,574,286 $3,574,286
•
Adjust appropriation for centrally funded 2.75 percent salary increase for state employees Base Budget Adjustment
  Adjusts appropriation for the 2.75 percent salary increase for state employees budgeted in Central Appropriations, Item 474 T. of Chapter 854, 2019 Acts of Assembly.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $936,276 $936,276
Nongeneral Fund $2,318,002 $2,318,002
•
Remove one-time funding for food banks Base Budget Adjustment
  Removes one-time Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding provided to food banks for child nutrition programs.
 
  FY FY
Nongeneral Fund ($3,000,000) ($3,000,000)
•
Adjust appropriation for centrally funded 2.25 percent merit-based salary increase for state employees Base Budget Adjustment
  Adjusts appropriation for the 2.25 percent merit-based salary increase for state employees budgeted in Central Appropriations, Item 474 V. of Chapter 854, 2019 Acts of Assembly.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $661,004 $661,004
Nongeneral Fund $1,644,503 $1,644,503
•
Adjust appropriation for centrally funded changes to agency information technology costs Base Budget Adjustment
  Adjusts appropriation for changes to information technology and telecommunications usage budgeted in Central Appropriations, Item 475 G. of Chapter 854, 2019 Acts of Assembly.
 
  FY FY
General Fund ($1,034,885) ($1,034,885)
Nongeneral Fund ($537,657) ($537,657)
•
Adjust appropriation for centrally funded changes to state health insurance premiums Base Budget Adjustment
  Adjusts appropriation for the employer’s share of health insurance premiums budgeted in Central Appropriations, Item 474 G. of Chapter 854, 2019 Acts of Assembly.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $299,567 $299,567
Nongeneral Fund $854,134 $854,134
•
Adjust appropriation for centrally funded changes to Cardinal Financials System charges Base Budget Adjustment
  Adjusts appropriation for changes to Cardinal Financials System internal service fund charges budgeted in Central Appropriations, Item 475 L. of Chapter 854, 2019 Acts of Assembly.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $85,357 $85,357
Nongeneral Fund $332,882 $332,882
•
Remove one-time funding for VIEW program name change Base Budget Adjustment
  Removes one-time funding provided to change the name of the Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare (VIEW) program to the Virginia Initiative for Education and Work (VIEW) program.
 
  FY FY
Nongeneral Fund ($150,000) ($150,000)
•
Adjust appropriation for centrally funded state-supported local employee other post-employment benefit rate changes Base Budget Adjustment
  Adjusts appropriation for changes to state-supported local employee other post-employment benefit rates budgeted in Central Appropriations, Item 474 L. of Chapter 854, 2019 Acts of Assembly.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $71,739 $71,739
•
Adjust appropriation for centrally funded information technology auditors and security officers Base Budget Adjustment
  Adjusts appropriation for information technology auditors and information security officers budgeted in Central Appropriations, Item 475 K. of Chapter 854, 2019 Acts of Assembly.
 
  FY FY
General Fund ($6,620) ($6,620)
Nongeneral Fund ($32,729) ($32,729)
•
Adjust appropriation for centrally funded state employee other post-employment benefit rate changes Base Budget Adjustment
  Adjusts appropriation for changes to state employee other post-employment benefit rates budgeted in Central Appropriations, Item 474 K. of Chapter 854, 2019 Acts of Assembly.
 
  FY FY
General Fund ($8,223) ($8,223)
Nongeneral Fund ($20,367) ($20,367)
•
Adjust appropriation for centrally funded retirement rate changes Base Budget Adjustment
  Adjusts appropriation for changes to contribution rates for state employee retirement plans budgeted in Central Appropriations, Item 474 H. of Chapter 854, 2019 Acts of Assembly.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $8,224 $8,224
Nongeneral Fund $20,365 $20,365
•
Adjust appropriation for centrally funded workers’ compensation premium changes Base Budget Adjustment
  Adjusts appropriation for workers’ compensation premiums budgeted in Central Appropriations, Item 474 R. of Chapter 854, 2019 Acts of Assembly.
 
  FY FY
General Fund ($12,794) ($12,794)
•
Adjust appropriation for centrally funded changes to Performance Budgeting System charges Base Budget Adjustment
  Adjusts appropriation for changes to Performance Budgeting System internal service fund charges budgeted in Central Appropriations, Item 475 M. of Chapter 854, 2019 Acts of Assembly.
 
  FY FY
General Fund ($1,109) ($1,109)
Nongeneral Fund ($659) ($659)
•
Adjust appropriation for centrally funded internal service fund charges for the Personnel Management Information System Base Budget Adjustment
  Adjusts appropriation for Personnel Management Information System internal service fund charges budgeted in Central Appropriations, Item 475 O. of Chapter 854, 2019 Acts of Assembly.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $670 $670
Nongeneral Fund ($270) ($270)
•
Transfer administration of the federal Child Care Development Fund grant to the Department of Education Decision Package
  Transfers the responsibility of the federal Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) grant from the Department of Social Services to the Department of Education.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $0 $3,055,524
Nongeneral Fund $0 ($181,071,751)
Positions 0.00 (150.00)
•
Fund local departments of social services prevention services Decision Package
  Provides funding for local departments of social services to begin hiring staff and creating their prevention services departments in response to the federal Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA).
 
  FY FY
General Fund $24,910,659 $24,910,659
Nongeneral Fund $7,943,262 $7,943,262
•
Adjust local staff minimum salary to stabilize workforce Decision Package
  Increases local salary minimums in order to address turnover rates at local departments. Also adds a three percent compression increase.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $9,035,366 $9,035,366
Nongeneral Fund $9,142,442 $9,142,442
•
Provide prevention services for children and families Decision Package
  Provides evidence-based and trauma-informed mental health, substance use disorder, and in-home parent skill based training to children at imminent risk of entering foster care and their families. The reimbursable services are included in the federal title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $8,410,050 $8,410,050
Nongeneral Fund $8,410,050 $8,410,050
•
Appropriate nongeneral funds for local staff salary increases Decision Package
  Funds the nongeneral fund portion of the raise state-supported local employees received in Chapter 854.
 
  FY FY
Nongeneral Fund $8,880,443 $8,880,443
•
Fund child welfare systems improvements Decision Package
  Funds improvements to the child welfare systems in order to combine the four current case management systems and automate Title IV-E foster care expenditures.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $2,002,905 $8,327,506
Nongeneral Fund $832,866 $6,544,935
•
Fund an increase in relative support maintenance payments Decision Package
  Funds an increase for relative support payments for relatives caring for children outside the foster care system.
 
  FY FY
Nongeneral Fund $8,457,600 $8,457,600
•
Create a summer food program pilot Decision Package
  Creates a summer feeding pilot program using TANF funding. Provides $50 on a family's EBT card each month during the summer for meals purchases.
 
  FY FY
Nongeneral Fund $7,773,299 $5,052,950
•
Fund the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families forecast Decision Package
  Updates appropriation to properly account for the anticipated cost of providing mandated TANF benefits. Benefits include cash assistance payments, employment services and child care.
 
  FY FY
Nongeneral Fund ($5,752,654) ($5,752,654)
•
Fund the child welfare forecast Decision Package
  Adds funding to cover the cost of providing foster care and adoption subsidy payments. Based on recent expenditure trends and the impact of child welfare policy changes, this amendment adjusts the appropriation to cover the necessary costs of providing payments to foster care and adoptive families.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $722,339 $722,339
Nongeneral Fund $4,128,395 $4,128,395
•
Increase LIHEAP grant appropriation Decision Package
  Increases the low-income home energy assistance program appropriation to account for a federal increase in the grant amount.
 
  FY FY
Nongeneral Fund $4,500,000 $4,500,000
•
Account for redesign of COMPASS 1115 waiver Decision Package
  Removes funding for systems upgrades related to the Medicaid 1115 waiver.
 
  FY FY
Nongeneral Fund ($4,200,000) ($4,200,000)
•
Fund foster care and adoptions cost of living adjustments Decision Package
  Raises maximum maintenance payments made to foster family homes on behalf of foster children by five percent. Appropriation Act language requires an automatic adjustment for inflation be applied to the maximum room and board rates paid to foster parents in the fiscal year following a state employee pay raise. Because state employees received up to a five percent raise in June 2019, this addendum provides a similar percent increase to foster care rates. This increase is also assumed for adoption subsidy funding to ensure that adoption subsidies keep pace with foster family rates and to avoid any disincentives to adoption.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $2,262,173 $2,262,173
Nongeneral Fund $1,784,235 $1,784,235
•
Increase TANF cash assistance benefits by five percent Decision Package
  Funds an increase of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash benefits equal to five percent, effective July 1, 2020. Additionally, this package also funds the same increase for TANF Unemployed Parents (UP) recipients.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $367,876 $367,876
Nongeneral Fund $3,337,206 $3,337,206
•
Adjust funding for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Unemployed Parents program Decision Package
  Decreases funding for the unemployed parent cash assistance program, based on a revised projection of the estimated 2020-2022 biennial costs.
 
  FY FY
General Fund ($3,528,225) ($3,528,225)
•
Replace legacy IT systems with an enterprise platform solution Decision Package
  Funds the replacement of the Virginia case management system and other legacy systems with a modular enterprise platform solution.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $1,102,500 $1,890,000
Nongeneral Fund $1,347,500 $2,310,000
•
Fund the replacement of the agency licensing system Decision Package
  Funds the replacement of the licensing system, background investigation system, and central registry system with a modular system that integrates digital technologies with no code/low code development.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $2,220,134 $431,638
Nongeneral Fund $3,196,616 $68,362
•
Implement Family First evidence-based services Decision Package
  Supports start-up fees, program development, curriculum materials, and implementation and sustainability supports for evidence-based programming through the federal Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA). This includes funding for two additional staff to oversee the statewide contracts for evidence based prevention services.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $1,074,500 $1,074,500
Nongeneral Fund $1,074,500 $1,074,500
Positions 2.00 2.00
•
Fund an evaluation team for evidence-based practices Decision Package
  Provides funding and positions to create an evidence-based practices evaluation team. An evaluation team is required by the federal Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) to ensure that the provision of evidence-based practices provided to children and families are producing the desired outcomes to improve the safety, permanency and well-being of children.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $801,328 $765,187
Nongeneral Fund $801,328 $765,187
Positions 20.00 20.00
•
Continue one-time funding for the Federation of Virginia Food Banks Decision Package
  Supports the Federation of Virginia Food Banks from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant to strengthen outreach to food-insecure children throughout the Commonwealth.
 
  FY FY
Nongeneral Fund $3,000,000 $0
•
Fund adult licensing and child welfare unit licensing Decision Package
  Provides general fund dollars for the adult and child welfare licensing units in the second year. The programs currently share funding and other resources with the child licensing unit, which is scheduled to transfer to the Department of Education by July 1, 2021.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $0 $2,130,394
Positions 0.00 8.00
•
Fund transit passes for working families Decision Package
  Provides funding to the Virginia Transit Association to offer competitive grants to public transit companies in order to provide transit passes to low-income families.
 
  FY FY
Nongeneral Fund $1,000,000 $1,000,000
•
Fund SNAP error rate payment Decision Package
  Provides the agency with the funding for the reinvestment of $1.9 million resulting from the federal penalty for its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payment error rate sanction.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $1,903,760 $0
•
Appropriate funds to implement the foster care omnibus bill (SB1339, 2019 session) Decision Package
  Provides funding to annualize personnel costs for positions created by Senate Bill 1339, 2019 General Assembly session.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $457,057 $457,057
Nongeneral Fund $347,957 $347,957
•
Fund emergency shelter management software and application Decision Package
  Funds the procurement of an emergency shelter management system to be integrated with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management's web emergency operations center (WebEOC). This package also funds the creation of a public-facing application that will provide shelter details during declared disasters.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $492,800 $154,000
Nongeneral Fund $627,200 $196,000
•
Fund United Community to provide additional wraparound services to low-income residents Decision Package
  Provides funding to United Community to expand the number of low-income families to whom the organization provides wraparound services.
 
  FY FY
Nongeneral Fund $700,000 $700,000
•
Eliminate the TANF family cap Decision Package
  Removes the family cap restriction for families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits. Children born more than ten months after their family begins receiving benefits will be able to be claimed as part of the family assistance unit.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $30,742 $30,742
Nongeneral Fund $667,934 $667,934
•
Improve planning and operations of state-run emergency shelters Decision Package
  Establishes a robust shelter training program of blended learning via online media and traditional in-person teaching for state agency personnel across the Commonwealth in order to develop a state workforce for comprehensive support of local and state sheltering. Additionally, this package establishes a review and update cycle of state shelter sites.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $188,945 $152,117
Nongeneral Fund $240,475 $193,603
•
Fund 2-1-1 VIRGINIA contract costs Decision Package
  Provides additional funding to fully fund the current 2-1-1 VIRGINIA contract costs.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $153,614 $153,614
Nongeneral Fund $187,751 $187,751
•
Continue Linking Systems of Care program Decision Package
  Provides general fund and positions to continue the Linking Systems of Care program after the expiration of the federal grant. This program focuses on early identification and intervention to lessen the impact of trauma, reduce the risk of further victimization and prevent involvement in juvenile or adult criminal justice systems.CHAR(13) + CHAR(10)CHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
 
  FY FY
General Fund $187,443 $467,116
Positions 3.00 3.00
•
Increase funding for emergency and diversionary assistance Decision Package
  Adds additional funding for emergency and diversionary assistance for families at risk of becoming eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistance. This is funding provided for one-time emergency situations.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $6,441 $6,441
Nongeneral Fund $139,935 $139,935
•
Receive transferred sheltering coordinator position and funding from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management Decision Package
  Receives the sheltering coordinator position and responsibilities from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. This position will facilitate activities related to state sheltering and is required to provide an annual report on those activities to the Governor and General Assembly.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $115,600 $115,600
Positions 1.00 1.00
•
Expand Temporary Assistance for Needy Families eligibility to persons convicted of drug-related felonies Decision Package
  Adds funding to provide Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits to people previously deemed ineligible to receive benefits because they had drug-related felonies on their record.
 
  FY FY
Nongeneral Fund $49,296 $98,592
•
Add language to direct a study of the public assistance benefits cliff Decision Package
  Adds language to the Appropriation Act directing the Department of Social Services to study the resource cliff faced by families receiving public assistance when income increases enough to reduce or terminate the family’s eligibility for public assistance.
•
Amend Definitions Related to Kinship to Add “Fictive Kin" Decision Package
  Changes the definition of "kin" to include "fictive kin" for purposes of foster care placement. Fictive kin can include church members, neighbors, family friends, etc. The agency can absorb the estimated costs in this biennium.
•
Establish language governing state-managed sheltering responsibilities Decision Package
  Adds language directing the Department of Social Services to develop a model state sheltering plan and determine and document the specifications of all goods and services required in the event of state shelter activation. There is corresponding language at the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the Department of General Services.
•
Require written notice of modifications to public guidance documents and state plans Decision Package
  Adds language to require the Department of Social Services to provide notice to the Governor when modifying public guidance documents, handbooks, and manuals.
•
Transfer funding and personnel between programs due to agency reorganization Decision Package
  Transfers funding and positions between programs due to agency reorganization.
•
Use anticipated balances in the auxiliary grant program to increase rates Decision Package
  Increases the auxiliary grant by $80 beginning July 1, 2020. This action, when coupled with the required $12 SSI increase that will occur January 1, 2019, will raise the current grant rate by $92 or approximately seven percent. Based on the most recent cost and population projections, the recommended increase is expected to cost approximately $3.3 million general fund; however, this increase can be offset by expected balances in the program.
•
Modify new prevention funding for local departments of social services General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment reduces funding included in the introduced budget for funding staff in local departments of social services for foster care prevention services in accordance with the federal Family First Prevention Services Act. This is a new function of local departments and this amendment adjusts funding to reflect a more gradual build up of local prevention services.
 
  FY FY
General Fund ($12,455,330) ($7,473,198)
Nongeneral Fund ($3,971,631) ($2,382,977)
•
Increase Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) assistance payments and income eligibility threshold General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment increases the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistance payment to a total of 15 percent, which includes the five percent increase in the introduced budget. In addition, this amendment increases the income eligibility for TANF that will allow more families to qualify.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $792,025 $792,025
Nongeneral Fund $12,078,704 $12,078,704
•
Create a plan for child welfare systems improvements General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment provides $250,000 the first year from the general fund and eliminates the remaining funding provided in the introduced budget for replacing the child welfare system. The system is in need of a replacement and this amendment provides the agency with funding for a consultant to assist in evaluating the agency's system needs and developing a detailed plan to be considered before committing funding in order to ensure the Commonwealth procures the appropriate system.
 
  FY FY
General Fund ($1,752,905) ($8,327,506)
Nongeneral Fund ($832,866) ($6,544,935)
•
Adjust local staff salary increases General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment reduces $3.4 million each year from the general fund and $3.5 million each year from nongeneral funds for local social services departments' (LDSS) compensation adjustments contained in the introduced budget in the Department of Social Services. Language sets out funding in this Item of $2.2 million from the general fund and $2.2 million from nongeneral funds each year to increase minimum salary levels for LDSS family services, benefit program services, self sufficiency services and administrative positions. It also sets out funding of $3.4 million from the general fund and $3.5 million from nongeneral funds each year for a 1.5 percent salary adjustment the first year to address salary compression issues. A companion amendment in Item 477 Central Accounts provides for a salary increase for LDSS staff who are state supported local employees in fiscal year 2021 and fiscal year 2022. These combined actions should assist in reducing the high turnover and vacancy rates in these LDSS positions.
 
  FY FY
General Fund ($3,442,659) ($3,442,659)
Nongeneral Fund ($3,483,457) ($3,483,457)
•
Use Family First Transition Act funding General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment supplants $5.0 million from the general fund the first year in child welfare prevention services and activities to implement the federal Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) with federal Family First Transition Act funding. This act authorized funding to states to help offset the costs associated with implementing the FFPSA. These funds can be used between October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2021 and do not require a general fund match.
 
  FY FY
General Fund ($5,000,000) $0
Nongeneral Fund $5,000,000 $0
•
Limit summer food pilot to one year General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment reduces the nongeneral fund appropriation for a summer food pilot program in order to review the results of such a program after the first summer it is in operation. Between the appropriation provided in House Bill 29 and the remaining appropriation in House Bill 30, over $7.0 million from the federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families block grant remains to fund the pilot program during the summer of 2020. Language modifies the ending date of the pilot program and the date a report is due on the program by the Department of Social Services.
 
  FY FY
Nongeneral Fund ($2,532,800) ($5,052,950)
•
Remove funding for legacy IT systems replacement General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment reduces funding in the Department of Social Services to begin replacing the Virginia case management system (VA-CMS) and other legacy systems with a modular enterprise platform solution. The VA-CMS was developed beginning in fiscal year 2013 after the 2012 General Assembly authorized funds to modernize the agency's eligibility processing information system for benefit programs.
 
  FY FY
General Fund ($1,102,500) ($1,890,000)
Nongeneral Fund ($1,347,500) ($2,310,000)
•
Adjust central office cost allocation of expenses General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment supplants $3.1 million from the general fund the second year with nongeneral funds from the Child Care and Development Fund. There is a corresponding amendment in Item 137.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $0 ($3,055,524)
Nongeneral Fund $0 $3,055,524
•
Increase funding for community action agencies General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment adds $1.5 million each year from the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant for support of community action agencies. Funding will be used for workforce development and job training programs, education, child care and family support services, enhanced financial literacy and credit counseling services, domestic violence services, college access for first-generation college students, homeless services and support for abused and neglected children.
 
  FY FY
Nongeneral Fund $1,500,000 $1,500,000
•
Increase Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding for community employment and training programs General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment adds $1.5 million each year from the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant for a third round of grants for community employment and training programs designed to move low-income individuals out of poverty into jobs with the prospect of career path and wage growth. Language requires a set aside amount of $450,000 each year for competitive grants through Employment Services Organizations.
 
  FY FY
Nongeneral Fund $1,500,000 $1,500,000
•
Increase funding for the Virginia Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment adds $500,000 each year from the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant for support of the Virginia Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs bringing their total funding to $2.0 million each year of the biennium. Funding will be used for supporting increased participation in current programs, adding new programs and helping to serve additional TANF eligible youth.
 
  FY FY
Nongeneral Fund $500,000 $500,000
•
Expand TANF and SNAP eligibility to persons convicted of drug-related felonies General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment provides $176,267 the first year and $132,361 the second year from the general fund and $257,236 the first year and $191,828 the second year from the nongeneral fund for the fiscal impact of House Bill 566 and Senate Bill 124 which removes conditions under which a person who has been convicted of a drug-related felony may receive food stamp benefits.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $176,267 $132,361
Nongeneral Fund $257,236 $191,828
•
Establish the Office of New Americans General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment adds $350,897 the first year and $305,571 the second year from the general fund for the fiscal impact of House Bill 1209 and Senate Bill 991, which establishes the Office of New Americans within the Department of Social Services, as well as an advisory board, to improve the integration of new Americans throughout the Commonwealth.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $350,897 $305,571
•
Allocation of one-time funding for the Laurel Center General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment provides a one-time budget allocation of general fund dollars to the Laurel Center for expansion of education, outreach, program services, and new career and education support.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $500,000 $0
•
Increase Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding for Laurel Center General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment adds $250,000 each year from the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) block grant for the Laurel Center for programs and services provided to survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence in Winchester, Frederick, Clarke and Warren Counties. The total TANF funding for the Laurel Center will be $750,000 each year.
 
  FY FY
Nongeneral Fund $250,000 $250,000
•
Create a driver's licensing program for foster care youth General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment provides $100,000 the first year and $200,000 the second year from the general fund to support the development and implementation of a statewide driver's licensing program to support foster care youth in obtaining a driver's license. Evidence indicates that youth who leave foster care without their driver's licenses are less likely to make a successful transition to adulthood. This is a recommendation of the Commission on Youth.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $100,000 $200,000
•
Provide Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding for Lighthouse General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment directs the Department of Social Services to provide $100,000 each year from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant to the Lighthouse organization in Planning District 11 to provide housing assistance, or other eligible services, for individuals transitioning out of the criminal justice system and domestic violence situations.
 
  FY FY
Nongeneral Fund $100,000 $100,000
•
Implement an emergency approval process for kinship caregivers General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment adds $75,000 each year from the general fund for the Department of Social Services to implement an emergency approval process for kinship caregivers and the development of foster home certification standards for kinship caregivers. Any new approval process created will encompass the same safety standards that non-relative foster homes must comply with when getting approved as a foster home. This will help Virginia align it's foster care approval process to the federal Family First Prevention Services Act legislation that directs states to use prevention dollars and keep children with kin rather than enter non-relative foster care. This is a recommendation of the Commission on Youth.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $75,000 $75,000
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Transfer funding for fictive kin in the Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment transfers funding from the Department of Social Services to the Office of the Children's Services for costs associated with the implementation of House Bill 933 and Senate Bill 178, which expands eligibility for the Kinship Guardianship Assistance program by allowing payments to be made to fictive kin who receive custody of a child of whom they had been the foster parent. The Office of Children's Services is a reimbursement-based agency. DSS has sufficient general fund dollars available for child welfare services to implement the provisions of the legislation.
 
  FY FY
General Fund ($3,838) ($7,676)
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Add language for emergency licensure exemption and background check portability for child day programs operating solely for children of essential personnel (Reconvened Amendment) General Assembly Adjustment
  Adds language to exempt from licensure certain child day programs operating in response to COVID-19 for children of essential personnel. Also adds language to allow background check portability for child day program workers and providers. The child day program must operate solely for children of essential workers in need of childcare in order to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Also adds language to allow schools to operate emergency child care.
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Add language to permit emergency program changes related to COVID-19 response (Reconvened Amendment) General Assembly Adjustment
  Provides DSS temporary authority to make immediate changes to program eligibility and enrollment in response to COVID-19. Any change would be subject to the Governor’s approval and must be reported within 15 days. Authorization and any program changes will expire with the Governor’s emergency declaration.
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Adjust Child Care Development Fund transfer language to reflect General Assembly changes to identical language at Department of Education (Reconvened Amendment) General Assembly Adjustment
  Modifies language at the Department of Social Services to reflect changes made by the General Assembly to identical language at the Department of Education.
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Adjust language to reflect appropriation for Healthy Families America General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment adjusts language to reflect the appropriated nongeneral fund amounts for the Healthy Families America home visiting model.
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Adjust language to reflect first year appropriation for Virginia Fosters General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment adjusts language to reflect the first year nongeneral fund appropriation for Virginia Fosters which was inadvertently omitted in the introduced budget.
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Adjust Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) balances General Assembly Adjustment
  This technical amendment adjusts the Commonwealth's accumulated balances for authorized federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant funds to reflect TANF spending included in the General Assembly amendments to the Governor's introduced budget.
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Develop a plan for a Kinship Navigator program General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment directs the Department of Social Services to develop a plan to provide access statewide to a Kinship Navigator Program. Many kinship caregivers raise children without the supports and case management provided by local departments of social services staff to children in foster care. A kinship navigator offers support to kinship caregivers to assess needs and arrange necessary services to provide support, education, and information to caregivers to ensure that all of the kinship caregivers are aware of and have access to supportive services, such as financial benefits, therapeutic services, and training. Similar to other states, a statewide kinship navigator program would likely operate and maintain an informational and referral warm-line, a website providing information on how to apply for benefits, including legal aid and fact sheets, and maintain a referral network in which to refer kinship caregivers to local programs in their respective localities. Currently, there are six regional kinship navigator programs that serve 33 percent of local departments of social services.
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Develop plan to prevent child abuse and neglect General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment adds language requiring the Commissioner of Social Services to develop a five-year plan to prevent child abuse and neglect, working with stakeholders. It requires a report to the Governor, the money committees and the Commission on Youth by July 1, 2021.
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Require annual report on agency organization General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment requires the Department of Social Services to annually report on the agency's organization and operations and any changes that occurred during the year. The agency will make this report available on its website by August 15 of each year. This information will assist in providing public information regarding changes in the agency's organization and operations. The Departments of Medical Assistance Services and Behavioral Health and Developmental Services are already required to submit these reports and are good models for the agency to use in creating this report.
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Unallot general fund FMAP savings (Reconvened Amendment) General Assembly Adjustment
  Requires that DSS identify all state savings associated with the federal government increasing the federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP) rate (to 56.2%). This enhanced rate increases the federal match rate for Title IV-E foster care and adoption services, which reduces the amount of general fund needed to support current service levels.  Any identified funds can be unallotted and reserved for reprogramming by the Governor and the General Assembly at the 2021 session.  This language is included in HB 29 and HB 30.
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Unallot spending increases in response to potential revenue shortfall (Reconvened Amendment) General Assembly Adjustment
  Creates a language item to require the unallotment of new discretionary spending amounts ($31,646,263 in FY2021 and $41,188,197 in FY2022).


p3_bullets - Official Enacted Budget - 06-07-2025 07:21:30