Children's Services Act

The Children’s Services Act of 1992 was created to form a collaborative system of services and funding that is child-centered, family-focused & community-based, addressing the strengths and needs of troubled and at-risk youths and their families in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The act creates two teams of professionals that review requests for services under this funding stream—the Community Policy and Management Team (CPMT) and the Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT). These teams develop and apply rules that are designed to meet the needs of the local community.  The teams meet monthly and decide the needs of these children, the services that best meet their needs, the contracts for the services, and the fiscal accountability for the services. Each child receiving services is regularly reviewed for continued need.  The Department of Social Services cases will be reviewed every 6 months. School cases are reviewed based on IEP dates, and all reports are submitted to the state justifying the continued need.

Children served under this act are considered non-mandated and mandated children. Non-mandated children are children who apply for services but are not in foster care or do not have an individual educational plan (IEP). Mandated children are children for whom the state has custody (i.e., foster care) or whose educational needs are mandated under the free and appropriate clauses of the educational acts and so listed in an IEP. Non-mandated children are not required to receive services but may receive services if funding is available and all parties agree that the services are in the best interest of the family and child, as well as remove any threat of the child being at risk of entering into foster care without preventative services being rendered. Mandated children must be served under the law, and each locality is mandated under state and federal law to provide sufficient funding to meet the needs of these children. 

In King George, FAPT hears all requests for both non-mandated and mandated children, making recommendations for services for both entities. CPMT has elected to fund only mandated children for which sum sufficient funding is required. Therefore, CPMT only hears cases for mandated children.

Community Policy & Management Team

This team is composed of staff and regional organization representatives who determine local policies using Children's Services Act funds. The CPMT includes a representative from the following agencies: Social Services, Public Schools, Rappahannock Area Community Services Board, Court Services Unit, County Government, Board of Supervisors, and Rappahannock Area Health District. The team also includes a family representative. The Social Services Department carries out the actions taken by this team. 

Meetings

• Third Thursday of each month
• 2 p.m.
• Conference room at the Department of Social Services Office (10069 Kings Highway)

Agendas are available prior to meetings. Minutes are available following approval by the governing body.