Virginia Department of Social Services

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.

The meeting included an acknowledgement and approval for remote participation by two board members. The Commissioner provided an overview of current agency priorities, and the League of Social Service Executives shared information regarding statewide model projects and navigation of the General Assembly. Action items included the approval of the Fraud Reduction/Elimination Effort regulations, approval of Deviation Requests for Patrick County, Radford City, Washington County, and Brunswick County DSS, and approval for updates to the LDSS Administrative/HR Manual concerning Performance Management and Employee Relations. The committee suggested Fredericksburg, Harrisonburg, and Tazewell as potential locations for the June 2026 meeting, with Harrisonburg being favored. Board members requested standing updates on the SNAP error rate and Medicaid work requirements implementation, as well as a report on rising constituent issues.

The meeting commenced with public comment periods, during which updates were provided by the Executive Director of the VA Community Action Partnership regarding the volunteer income tax coalition program, and the President of the Virginia League of Social Service Executives, who confirmed full membership participation and discussed the League's legislative package for the 2026 session. Action items included the approval of minutes from the October 2025 meeting, a resolution for Benefit Programs Specialist Appreciation Month, approval of the 22VAC40-325 Fraud Reduction/Elimination Effort Fast Track Regulation, a deviation request from Orange County DSS, and updates to the LDSS Administrative/HR Manual Chapters 1-3. The 2026 Meeting Schedule was established, amending the bylaws requirement to ensure the February 2026 meeting would be held in person rather than virtually, following this December meeting's virtual format. Board members requested deeper dives into topics including SNAP Errors/QC data analysis (to be presented in April 2026), analysis of dollars recovered through the Fraud Program (within six months), and survivor benefits for children in foster care (April or June meeting). A committee was appointed to recommend a location for the June 2026 meeting.

The meeting commenced with a comment period which included updates from 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 membership status and legislative package preparations for the 2026 session. Action items approved included the resolution for Benefit Programs Specialist Appreciation Month, the 22VAC40-325 Fraud Reduction/Elimination Effort Fast Track Regulation, a Deviation Request from Orange County DSS, and updates to the LDSS Administrative/HR Manual Chapters 1-3. The 2026 Meeting Schedule was established, noting that the February 2026 meeting would be held in person due to bylaws prohibiting back-to-back virtual meetings. Board members requested follow-up presentations on SNAP Errors/QC data (to be presented in April 2026), a deeper analysis of dollars recovered through the Fraud Program (within six months), and information regarding Survivor Benefits for Children in Foster Care (in April or June). A committee was also appointed to recommend a location for the June meeting.