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, 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 Committees, and the Director, Department of Planning and Budget.
G. Out of this appropriation, $14,864,476 the first year and $14,864,476 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 $61,019,627 $57,160,459 the first year and $61,019,627 the second year from the general fund and $61,019,627 the first year and $61,019,627 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).
L.1. Out of this appropriation, $2,925,954 the first year and $2,925,954 the second year from the general fund and $2,886,611 the first year and $2,886,611 the second year from nongeneral funds shall be available for the expansion of foster care and adoption assistance as authorized in the federal Foster Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-351; P.L. 11-148).
2. In order to implement the Fostering Futures program, the Department of Social Services shall set out the requirements for program participation in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 675 (8) (B) (iv) and shall provide the format of an agreement to be signed by the local department of social services and the youth. The definition of a child for the purpose of the Fostering Futures program shall be any natural person who has reached the age of 18 years but has not reached the age of 21. The Department of Social Services shall develop guidance setting out the requirements for local implementation including a requirement for six-month reviews of each case and reasons for termination of participation by a youth. The guidance shall also include a definition of a supervised independent living arrangement which does not include group homes or residential facilities. Implementation of this program includes the extension of adoption assistance to age 21 for youth who were adopted at age 16 or older and who meet the program participation requirements set out in guidance by the Department of Social Services.
3. The Department of Social Services shall issue guidance for the program's eligibility requirements and shall be available, on a voluntary basis, to an individual upon reaching the age of 18 who:
(i) was in the custody of a local department of social services either:
(a) prior to reaching 18 years of age, remained in foster care upon turning 18 years of age; or
(b) immediately prior to commitment to the Department of Juvenile Justice and is transitioning from such commitment to self-sufficiency.
(ii) and who is:
(a) completing secondary education or an equivalent credential; or
(b) enrolled in an institution that provides post-secondary or vocational education; or
(c) employed for at least 80 hours per month; or
(d) participating in a program or activity designed to promote employment or remove barriers to employment; or
(e) incapable of doing any of the activities described in subdivisions (a) through (d) due to a medical condition, which incapability is supported by regularly updated information in the program participant's case plan.
4. Implementation of extended foster care services shall be available for those eligible youth reaching age 18 on or after July 1, 2016.
M.1. Out of this appropriation, $7,517,668 the first year and $7,517,668 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 M.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). 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, 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 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 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 ten 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. 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.
R. Out of this appropriation, $100,000 the first year and $200,000 the second year from the general fund shall be provided to support the development and implementation of a statewide driver's licensing program to support foster care youth in obtaining a driver's license. Funding shall be made available, up to the limits of this appropriation, to local departments of social services to reimburse foster care providers for increases to their existing motor vehicle insurance premiums that occur because a foster care youth in their care has been added to their insurance policy. The program may also reimburse foster care providers for additional coverage (i.e. an umbrella policy or the equivalent) that provides liability protection should a foster care youth get into or cause a catastrophic accident. Additionally, funding shall be made available to foster care youth in Virginia's Fostering Futures Program to assist in covering the cost of obtaining motor vehicle insurance. The department shall develop reimbursement policies for foster care providers and foster care youth. The department shall coordinate and administer the driver's licensing program based on best practices from similar programs in other states, to include developing educational or training materials that educate foster parents, private providers, and foster youth about (i) liability issues, insurance laws, and common insurance practices (to include laws about renewal and cancellation, how long an accident can affect premiums, how to establish that a foster youth is no longer living in the residence, and other applicable topics); (ii) Department of Motor Vehicles requirements to obtain a learner's permit and driver's license; (iii) what funding and resources are available to assist in this process, to include, paying school lab fees for "Behind the Wheel" or paying a private driving education company; and (iv) why getting a driver's license on time is important for normalcy and a successful transition to adulthood. The department shall provide information on how many foster care youth were supported by this program and any recommendations to improve the program to the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees by December 1, 2020.
S. 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.
T. The Department of Social Services shall offset $5,000,000 the first year of the general fund cost of implementing the Family First Prevention Services Act with federal Family First Transition Act funding for approved services and activities.
U. The Commissioner shall establish a five-year plan for the Commonwealth to prevent child abuse and neglect. In developing this plan, the Department shall collaborate with the Department for Behavioral Health & Developmental Services, Department of Health, Department of Education, Family and Children's Trust and other relevant state agencies and stakeholders. This plan shall be focused on primary prevention, be trauma informed, include a public health framework on abuse prevention, promote positive youth development, and be asset and strength based. The plan shall reference and coordinate with any other state plans or programs that deal with issues related to child abuse prevention such as, but not limited to, teen pregnancy prevention, youth substance use, school dropout, domestic violence/family violence, and foster care prevention. The Commissioner shall convene a work group to assist with developing this plan. The workgroup shall include, but not be limited to, the following stakeholders: Families Forward Virginia, VOICES for Virginia's Children, and the Virginia Poverty Law Center. The Commissioner shall report the plan to the Governor and the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees, and the Commission on Youth by July 1, 2021.
V. Within 10 days of the enactment of this Act, the Department of Social Services (DSS) shall generate an estimate of the annual impact of enhanced federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP), associated with federal H.R. 6021, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), on all Title IV-E foster care and adoptions programs as appropriated in this Act. The agency shall report these estimates by fiscal year, fiscal quarter, service area and fund detail, to the Department of Planning and Budget (DPB) and the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees within the required timeframe. DPB is authorized to unallot an amount of state funds equal to the general fund savings identified in the DSS report. Upon expiration of the enhanced FMAP, DPB is authorized to re-allot funding for those quarters for which assumed enhanced FMAP is not available.