Children’s Services Act
Welcome to the website for the Children’s Services Act in Shenandoah County! The Children’s Services Act (CSA) is a law enacted in 1993 that established a state pool of funds that, combined with local funds, pay for support services for eligible youth and their families. In Shenandoah County, we believe that youth are best served and have better outcomes when they remain surrounded by their family and local community. Therefore, the focus of CSA funding is in prevention services and supports in the community to avoid out of home placements like foster care or a stay in a residential psychiatric facility.
Learn more about the Office of Children’s Services and the Children’s Services Act at the state level.
Learn more about Shenandoah County’s Children’s Services Act and who oversees this funding.
Join us! The Shenandoah County Community Policy and Management Team (CPMT) meets at Shenandoah County Department of Social Services (494 N Main St #200, Woodstock, VA 22664) on the first Wednesday of every month at 10am. The meetings are open to the public to join in person or virtually. If you wish to join virtually, contact the CSA Coordinator (contact information below) for more information. The CSA Coordinator can also share with you past CPMT minutes.
Shenandoah County CSA Coordinator:
Aaron Hernandez, ae.hernandez@dss.virginia.gov , phone: (540)459-6908
Shenandoah County CSA Administrative Coordinator:
Jeri Ritz, jeri.ritz@dss.virginia.gov
What is FAPT?
- The Family Assessment and Planning Team
- Interagency group responsible at the individual “case” level for carrying out the CSA
- Reviews service plans for children and recommends child-specific expenditures (Section 2.2-5209)
- Assesses strengths and needs of troubled youth and families
- Promotes family engagement
- Members of FAPT shall include supervisory level employees appointed by Department heads, a private provider, and a parent representative.
Who participates in FAPT?
FAPT Members, who determine CSA eligibility, then discuss and vote to approve funding for services. In Shenandoah County, those are:
- FAPT Case Manager for Shenandoah County Public Schools (SCPS)
- Family Services Program Manager from Shenandoah County Department of Social Services (SCDSS)
- Shenandoah County Child/Youth and Family Supervisor for Northwestern Community Services Board (NWCSB)
- Juvenile Court Services Unit (CSU) Supervisor for Shenandoah County
- Private Provider (currently the Executive Director of Family Promise of Shenandoah County
- Parent Representative, a parent committed to serve who resides in Shenandoah County
Parents/Guardians, who participate in the meeting discussion as experts on the “case” and have the right to agree or disagree with services recommended and approved by the FAPT. While the Shenandoah County FAPT strives to promote family voice and choice, a family always has the right to appeal the FAPT’s decision.
Community providers – both providers funded by FAPT as well as other resources, to report on progress and discuss family strengths and additional needs (ex. outpatient therapist, mentor, case manager, etc.).
FAPT case manager – the provider presenting the case to FAPT. In Shenandoah County, those typically are Child Mental Health Case Managers from NWCSB, School Support Specialists from SCPS, Probation Officers from the CSU, and Family Support Specialists from SCDSS.
CSA office staff – CSA Coordinator and/or the CSA Administrative Coordinator participate in FAPT but are not voting members.
Other possible participants:
- Natural Supports – those in the youth and family’s life that provide support outside the FAPT funding (ex. extended family, pastor, family friend, coach) that they wish to also participate in the FAPT process.
- Guardian Ad Litem
- Others involved with the case that the family wish to have attend the meeting.
If you would like to learn more about FAPT or if you think your child or a child in your care would benefit from CSA funding, please contact the CSA Coordinator for more information.