Authority: Title 63.2, Chapters 1, 2, 4 and 8 through 15, Code of Virginia; P.L. 100-294, P.L. 101-126, P.L. 101-226, P.L. 105-89, P.L. 110-351, P.L. 111-320, as amended, Federal Code.

A. Expenditures meeting the criteria of Title IV-E of the Social Security Act shall be fully reimbursed except that expenditures otherwise subject to a standard local matching share under applicable state policy, including local staffing, shall continue to require local match. The commissioner shall ensure that local social service boards obtain reimbursement for all children eligible for Title IV-E coverage.

B. The Commissioner, Department of Social Services, in cooperation with the Department of Planning and Budget, shall establish a reasonable, automatic adjustment for inflation each year to be applied to the room and board maximum rates paid to foster parents. However, this provision shall apply only in fiscal years following a fiscal year in which salary increases are provided for state employees.

C. Out of this appropriation, $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the second year from the general fund shall be provided for the purchase of services for victims child abuse and neglect prevention activities as stated in § 63.2-1502, Code of Virginia, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Board of Social Services.

D. Out of this appropriation, $180,200 the first year and $180,200 the second year from the general fund and $99,800 the first year and $99,800 the second year from nongeneral funds shall be provided to continue respite care for foster parents.

E. Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 63.2-1300 through 63.2-1303, Code of Virginia, adoption assistance subsidies and supportive services shall not be available for children adopted through parental placements, except parental placements where the legal guardian is a child placing agency at the time of the adoption. This restriction does not apply to existing adoption assistance agreements.

F.1. Out of this appropriation, $1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000 the second year from the general fund shall be provided to implement pilot programs that increase the number of foster care children adopted.

2. Beginning July 1, 2017, the department shall provide an annual report, not later than 45 days after the end of the state fiscal year, on the use and effectiveness of this funding including, but not limited to, the additional number of special needs children adopted from foster care as a result of this effort and the types of ongoing supportive services provided, to the Governor, Chairmen of House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees, and the Director, Department of Planning and Budget.

G. Out of this appropriation, $9,485,711 $8,051,426 the first year and $9,485,711 $6,465,362 the second year from the general fund and $7,000,000 the first year and $7,000,000 the second year from nongeneral funds shall be provided for special needs adoptions.

H. Out of this appropriation $71,392,849 $62,907,366 the first year and $71,392,849 $76,144,897 the second year from the general fund and $71,392,848 $80,716,758 the first year and $71,392,848 $79,543,075 the second year from nongeneral funds shall be provided for Title IV-E adoption subsidies.

I. The Commissioner, Department of Social Services, shall ensure that local departments that provide independent living services to persons between 18 and 21 years of age make certain information about and counseling regarding the availability of independent living services is provided to any person who chooses to leave foster care or who chooses to terminate independent living services before his twenty-first birthday. Information shall include the option for restoration of independent living services following termination of independent living services, and the processes whereby independent living services may be restored should he choose to seek restoration of such services in accordance with § 63.2-905.1 of the Code of Virginia.

J.1. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 63.2-1302, Code of Virginia, the Department of Social Services shall negotiate all adoption assistance agreements with both existing and prospective adoptive parents on behalf of local departments of social services. This provision shall not alter the legal responsibilities of the local departments of social services set out in Chapter 13 of Title 63.2, Code of Virginia, nor alter the rights of the adoptive parents to appeal.

2. Out of this appropriation, $342,414 the first year and $342,414 the second year from the general fund and $215,900 the first year and $215,900 the second year from nongeneral funds shall be provided for five positions to execute these negotiations.

K.1. The Department of Social Services shall partner with Patrick Henry Family Services to implement a pilot program in the area encompassing Planning District 11 (Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Campbell Counties and the City of Lynchburg) for the temporary placements of children for children and families in crisis. The pilot program will allow a parent or legal custodian of a minor, with the assistance of Patrick Henry Family Services, to delegate to another person by a properly executed power of attorney any powers regarding care, custody, or property of the minor for a temporary placement for a period that is not greater than 90 days. The program will allow for an option of a one-time 90 day extension.

2. The department shall ensure that this pilot program meets the following specific programmatic and safety requirements outlined in 22 VAC 40-131 and 22 VAC 40-191:

(i) The pilot program organization shall meet the background check requirements described in 22 VAC 40-191.

(ii) The pilot program organization shall develop and implement written policies and procedures for governing active and closed cases, admissions, monitoring the administration of medications, prohibiting corporal punishment, ensuring that children are not subjected to abuse or neglect, investigating allegations of misconduct toward children, implementing the child's back-up emergency care plan, assigning designated casework staff, management of all records, discharge policies, and the use of seclusion and restraint (22 VAC 40-131-90).

(iii) The pilot program organization shall provide pre-service and ongoing training for temporary placement providers and staff (22 VAC 40-131-210 and 22 VAC 40-131-150).

3. The agency shall provide a report on the implementation status of the pilot to the Governor, the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees, and Director, Department of Planning and Budget by September 30, 2022.

L.1. Out of this appropriation, $10,017,668 the first year and $10,017,668 the second year from the general fund and $2,500,000 the first year and $2,500,000 the second year from nongeneral funds shall be available for the reinvestment of adoption general fund savings as authorized in title IV, parts B and E of the federal Social Security Act (P.L. 110-351).

2. Of the amounts in paragraph L.1. above, $3,078,595 the first year and $3,078,595 the second year from the general fund shall be used to develop a case management module for a comprehensive child welfare information system (CCWIS).

M.1. Out of this appropriation, $3,460,195 the first year and $7,121,181 the second year from the general fund and $3,460,195 the first year and $7,121,181 the second year from nongeneral funds shall be available for the development of a compliant comprehensive child welfare information system (CCWIS). Any unexpended balances in this paragraph at the close of business on June 30 of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund, but shall be carried forward and reappropriated for this purpose.

2. In the development of the CCWIS, the department shall not create any future obligation that will require the appropriation of general fund in excess of that provided in this Act. Should additional appropriation, in excess of the amounts identified in this paragraph and paragraph L.2., be needed to complete development of this or any other module for the CCWIS, the department shall notify the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees, and Director, Department of Planning and Budget.

3. Beginning September 1, 2018, the department shall also provide semi-annual progress reports that includes current project summary, implementation status, accounting of project expenditures and future milestones. All reports shall be submitted to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees, and Director, Department of Planning and Budget.

N. Out of this appropriation, $1,009,563 the first year and $1,009,563 the second year from nongeneral funds shall be used to fund 10 positions that support the child protective services hotline.

O. Out of this appropriation, $50,000 the first year and $50,000 the second year from the general fund and $50,000 the first year and $50,000 the second year from nongeneral funds shall be used to fund one position that supports Virginia Fosters.

P. Out of this appropriation, $851,000 the first year and $851,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for training, consultation and technical support, and licensing costs associated with establishing evidence-based programming as identified in the federal Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) Evidence-Based Programs Clearinghouse.

Q.1. The Department of Social Services shall develop a plan to provide access statewide to a Kinship Navigator Program which will provide services to kinship caregivers who are having trouble finding assistance for their unique needs and to help these caregivers navigate their locality's service system, as well as federal and state benefits.

2. The Department of Social Services shall continue to seek and apply for any federal grant funds that can be used to support the cost of kinship navigator programs, subject to the requirements in Part 4 of this Act.

3. Out of this appropriation, $935,196 the second year from the general fund shall be provided to support up to 12 kinship navigator programs. The number of kinship navigator programs supported by the Department of Social Services (DSS) shall not exceed 12 statewide. The appropriation provided in this paragraph shall be unallotted by the Department of Planning and Budget until such time that DSS can demonstrate the unavailability of continued federal grant funding to support kinship navigator costs.

4. The department shall report on the effectiveness of kinship navigator programs. The report shall include: how many children are served, any impact on the child welfare system related to the increase in the number of kinship navigator programs, and the estimated potential value a future expansion of the program would provide to the affected population and to the Commonwealth. The report shall be provided to the Governor, Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees, and the Director, Department of Planning and Budget by September 1 each year.

R. The Department of Social Services shall create an emergency approval process for kinship caregivers and develop foster home certification standards for kinship caregivers using as a guide the Model Family Foster Home Licensing Standards developed by the American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Generations United, and the National Association for Regulatory Administration. The adopted standards should align, as much as reasonably possible, to the Model Family Foster Home Licensing Standards, and should ensure that children in foster care: (i) live in safe and appropriate homes under local department of social services and court oversight; (ii) receive monthly financial assistance and supportive services to help meet their needs; and (iii) can access the permanency options offered by Virginia's Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program.

S. Out of this appropriation, $3,002,400 the first year and $4,408,800 the second year from the general fund is provided to make relative maintenance payments.

T. Out of this appropriation, $50,000 the first year from the general fund shall be provided to implement a public awareness campaign and outreach for the implementation of the Chapter 174, 2022 Acts of Assembly, that provides for the relinquishment of an infant, infant relinquishment locations, and support and resources for parents and the public. The Department of Social Services shall contract with the National Safe Haven Alliance to implement a toll-free 24-hour hotline as required by statute.