Chief Patron: Reid
COY-Task Force & Summit to Strengthen the Family (language only)

Item 298 #1h

Language
Page 274, line 12, before "The", insert "A."
Page 274, after line 32, insert:
"B.  The Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, in conjunction with the Virginia Commission on Youth, shall convene a Statewide Task Force for the purpose of developing a plan to assess, identify, and communicate ways to strengthen families within the Commonwealth.  The Statewide Task Force shall also focus on existing efforts and make recommendations for linking and integrating such efforts as well as commence planning for a statewide summit on strengthening the family.  All child-serving agencies in the Commonwealth shall participate in this effort.  Members shall include representatives from the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Education, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Criminal Justice Services, the Office of Comprehensive Services, the Virginia Department of Health, and the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court.  Representatives from the Virginia Municipal League, the Virginia Association of Counties, faith-based organizations, and the Virginia Chamber of Commerce shall also be invited to participate in this effort.  A report on these activities shall be submitted by November 30, 2005, to the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees and the Virginia Commission on Youth."

Explanation
(This amendment requires the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to convene a Statewide Task Force for the purpose of developing a plan to assess, identify, and communicate ways to strengthen families within the Commonwealth. The Commission on Youth found that Virginia does not have a statewide effort in place to coordinate existing services and programs that strengthen marriage, encourage responsible parenting, and provide parenting skills. Federal law encourages, under the Welfare Reform Act, the enactment of state policies and practices that promote the formation and maintenance of two-parent families. This is a recommendation of the Virginia Commission on Youth.)