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2021 Session

Budget Amendments - HB1800 (Member Request)

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Chief Patron: Kory
Prison Family Video Visitation Services for Children in Foster Care

Item 356 #14h

Item 356 #14h

First Year - FY2021 Second Year - FY2022
Health and Human Resources
Department of Social Services FY2021 $0 FY2022 $249,000 GF

Language
Page 431, line 35, strike "$60,957,967" and insert "$61,206,967".

Page 436, after line 11, insert:

"CC. Out of this appropriation, $249,000 the second year from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant shall be provided for prison family video visitation services to promote family and children relationships for TANF eligible families and children who are in relative care."



Explanation

(This amendment adds $249,000 the second year from the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) block grant for prison family video visitation services to promote family and children relationships for TANF eligible families and children who are in relative care, mainly with TANF eligible grandparents raising grandchildren. DSS analysis identified a number of the child-only TANF cases receive TANF benefits because a parent is incarcerated. Sixty percent of imprisoned women said their children are being cared for by the children's grandparents. Also, the DSS child welfare information system reports indicate that incarceration of a parent is a major factor to the entry of over 600 children into Virginia foster care. This statistic underscores the importance of working with parents involved in the criminal justice system. This program strategy focuses on working with the entire family to overcome the daunting challenges that impede family reunification. The program shall be administered by the Department of Social Services and the Department of Corrections by contract with video visitation providers and shall be integrated into other transitional programs. Participating individuals may be required to establish, reestablish or maintain family ties and communications in order to be able continue to participate.)