Authority: Title 63.2, Chapters 1 through 7 and 9 through 16, Code of Virginia; P.L. 104-193, Titles IV A, XIX, and XXI, Social Security Act, Federal Code, as amended.

A. The amounts in this Item shall be expended under regulations of the Board of Social Services to reimburse county and city welfare/social services boards pursuant to § 63.2-401, Code of Virginia, and subject to the same percentage limitations for other administrative services performed by county and city public welfare/social services boards and superintendents of public welfare/social services pursuant to other provisions of the Code of Virginia, as amended.

B. Pursuant to the provisions of §§ 63.2-403, 63.2-406, 63.2-407, 63.2-408, and 63.2-615 Code of Virginia, all moneys deducted from funds otherwise payable out of the state treasury to the counties and cities pursuant to the provisions of § 63.2-408, Code of Virginia, shall be credited to the applicable general fund account.

C. Included in this appropriation are funds to reimburse local social service agencies for eligibility workers who interview applicants to determine qualification for public assistance benefits which include but are not limited to: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); and Medicaid.

D. Included in this appropriation are funds to reimburse local social service agencies for social workers who deliver program services which include but are not limited to: child and adult protective services complaint investigations; foster care and adoption services; and adult services.

E. Out of the federal fund appropriation for local social services staff, amounts estimated at $72,000,000 $80,000,000 the first year and $72,000,000 $80,000,000 the second year shall be set aside for allowable local costs which exceed available general fund reimbursement and amounts estimated at $22,000,000 the first year and $22,000,000 the second year shall be set aside to reimburse local governments for allowable costs incurred in administering public assistance programs.

F. Out of this appropriation, $562,260 the first year and $562,260 the second year from the general fund and $540,211 the first year and $540,211 the second year from nongeneral funds is provided to cover the cost of the health insurance credit for retired local social services employees.

G. The Department of Social Services shall work with local departments of social services on a pilot project in the western region of the state to evaluate the available data collected by local departments on facilitated care arrangements. The department shall, based on the findings from the pilot project, determine the most appropriate mechanism for collecting and reporting such data on a statewide basis.

H.1. Out of this appropriation, $4,527,969 the first year and $4,527,969 the second year from the general fund 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 amount in paragraph H.1. above, $1,333,031 the first year and $1,333,031 the second year from the general fund shall be used to provide Child Protective Services (CPS) assessments and investigations in response to all reports of children born exposed to controlled substances regardless of whether the substance had been prescribed to the mother when she has sought or gained substance abuse counseling or treatment.

I. Out of this appropriation, $2,150,048 from the general fund and $2,175,528 from nongeneral funds each the second  year shall be provided for a pay band minimum increase in fiscal year 2021 2022 of 20 percent for the family services positions and a 15 percent increase for benefit program services positions, self sufficiency services positions and administration positions that are currently below the new minimum threshold.

J. Out of this appropriation, $3,442,659 from the general fund and $3,483,457 from nongeneral funds each year shall be provided for a salary adjustment the first year of 1.5 percent for all local department of social services positions to address issues related to salary compression.