Natachia Randles

The board received an overview of agency priorities from the Commissioner and heard public comments concerning guardianship, parent-child safety programs, and child protective services. Representatives from the Virginia Community Action Partnership highlighted affordable housing and tax credit impacts, while the Virginia League of Social Service Executives addressed Child Abuse Prevention month and staffing challenges regarding caseloads. Although the board lacked a physical quorum to vote on action items, it received staff presentations on liability insurance for assisted living facilities, various deviation requests from local departments, and operational manuals. Additionally, the board discussed contracting oversight, fraud management, and SNAP payment accuracy, while also deliberating on future meeting procedures and public comment time limits.

The board will address several action items, including final regulations for Standards for Licensed Assisted Living Facilities and the Virginia Energy Assistance Program. The meeting includes reviews of various deviation requests from local departments of social services, updates to the Administrative and HR Manual, an election of new officers, and a discussion regarding the time limit for public comments. Additionally, the agenda covers a standing report on SNAP payment accuracy.

This strategic plan outlines the Virginia Social Services System's commitment to delivering high-quality human services to help Virginians achieve safety, independence, and overall well-being. The plan is built upon four core commitments: setting clear goals as one team, utilizing data for accountability, solving problems in small teams, and actively listening to local offices and partners. The overarching vision is to foster a Commonwealth where all Virginians possess the necessary resources to shape strong futures, focusing on continuous improvement in program performance, community feedback, and annual reporting.

The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) State Plan for the Virginia Department of Social Services outlines the agency's commitment to delivering high-quality human services to promote the safety, independence, and well-being of Virginians. The plan's strategic goals include addressing poverty through policy and practice changes, fostering innovative strategies, and enhancing equity via collaboration. It also focuses on building community capacity and integrated services for systemic change, and ensuring community-level problem-solving for broader local solutions to poverty. This comprehensive plan details operational aspects such as state use of funds, training and technical assistance, inter-agency linkages, monitoring, and compliance with federal regulations.

The meeting commenced with a comment period where updates were provided by the Executive Director of the VA Community Action Partnership regarding the statewide volunteer income tax coalition program, and the President of the Virginia League of Social Service Executives concerning local department membership status and preparations for the 2026 legislative session. Action items approved included the Benefit Programs Specialist Appreciation Month Resolution, the 22VAC40-325 Fraud Reduction/Elimination Effort Fast Track Regulation, a Deviation Request from Orange County DSS, and updates to LDSS Administrative/HR Manual Chapters 1-3. The board established the 2026 Meeting Schedule, amending it to ensure the February 2026 meeting would be held in person due to the current meeting being virtual. Board members requested future deep dives into SNAP Errors/QC data once 2026 data is available, an analysis of dollars captured through the Fraud Program within six months, and a presentation on Survivor Benefits for Children in Foster Care at a subsequent meeting. A committee was also appointed to recommend a location for the June 2026 meeting.