Children's Services Act

The Children's Services Act (CSA) was designed to establish a multidisciplinary approach to providing and funding services to meet youth and families' needs.  The Williamsburg CSA program brings together local agencies to address out-of-home placement, in-home services, and community wrap-around services for youth.  It is made up of the Community Policy and Management Team (CPMT) and Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT) who partner with the family to help address their concerns and access services.

CPMT...

The "CPMT" coordinates agency efforts to shape policy around service provision in the local community; manages the available funds for approved services; and sees that eligible youth and their families are referred for assessment, as appropriate .  

FAPT...

The "FAPT" assesses the strengths and needs of the individual youth and their family and partners with them to develop a service plan to meet their needs.

Members of CPMT and FAPT...

Members of CPJT include staff from Colonial Behavioral Health, Court Services, Social Services, Williamsburg-James City County Schools, the Health Department, a parent representative, and a private provider.

Members of FAPT include Colonial Behavioral Health, Court Services, Social Services, Williamsburg-James City County Schools, the Health Department, and a  parent representative.

CPMT and FAPT meetings...

CPMT meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month.

FAPT meetings are held on the first Monday of every month.  If that Monday falls on a holiday, the meeting will be held on the second Monday.

Eligibility for services...

Services under the CSA may be available to a youth who meets at least one of the following descriptions:

• Youth who require private placement for special education.
• Youth who are eligible for foster care services.
• Youth are eligible for services through a Child in Need of Services designation, having significant emotional or behavioral problems and are at risk of out of home placement.

For more information, please contact:

Emergency Assistance (EA) and Outreach and Crisis (OCS) Program

Program Purpose

The EA program in the City of Williamsburg offers temporary crisis assistance for individuals with no other means of income, who are experiencing temporary or long-term physical disability, mental health crisis, medical needs, or other unforeseen circumstances that creates and emergency situation and places the individual or family at risk.

Types of Assistance

• Medical Assistance
  • This assistance includes but not limited to dental, medical supplies, medical appliances, prescriptions
• Shelter Assistance
  • Clients who are in need of rental assistance need to show that they will be able to pay for their rent in the upcoming months (self-sufficiency).  
  • We will not cover security deposits
  • Clients who are unemployed, have no income, and do not have housing will be referred to shelters and offered transportation.
• Utility Assistance
  • Client will first be referred to Energy Share through the Salvation Army and the Heating/Cooling assistance program through DSS.
• Transportation
  • EA can provide local bus tickets or gas vouchers to an applicant who has a necessary appointment that is written in a the service plan.

COVID-19 Eviction Prevention Program

Emergency  payment of rent to prevent eviction and ensure housing stability for Low and Moderate Income (LMI) households financially impacted by job loss, furlough, or reduced hours as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Required documentation is as follows:

• Client application
• Valid lease
• Proof of income
• Pay/Quit Notice or Unlawful Detainer
• Payment ledger from landlord
• Proof financial hardship is due to COVID
• Landlord/Tenant repayment agreement (if applicable) to provide prior to initial rent assistance payment

All "Required Documents" must be provided prior to the scheduled eligibility determination appointment.

Related Document:

• COVID-19 Eviction Prevention Application
  

The Historic Triangle Pathways to Independence is a regional employment grant serving Williamsburg, James City County, York County, and Poquoson.

TANF/VIEW eligible families, as well as individuals whose household incomes are 200% below the Federal Poverty Levels, may qualify for services.

Administered by the City of Williamsburg Department of Human Services, the Pathways Grant includes coordination of services with Virginia Career Works, Workforce Development, Thomas Nelson Community College and many other community resources.

Greater Williamsburg Regional Kinship Program

Support and assistance to the relatives of children who are not involved in a foster or adoptive placement.

A kinship caregiver is a relative by blood or marriage who has been placed in the role of caregiver for a child.  This may be a grandparent, aunt, uncle, sibling, or other relative.  The home arrangement may be formal or informal; temporary or permanent.

Program Goals

• Assist kinship caregivers in utilizing services to meet the needs of the children they are raising
• Promote effective partnerships among public and private agencies to provide resources and support to families
• Develop an information and referral system to assist kinship caregivers and youth
• Develop partnerships with community agencies who may interact with relative caregivers
• Provide in-service training to community partners and relative caregivers
• Establish a kinship council

Related Documents

• Kinship Services Brochure (PDF)
• Kinship Referral Form (PDF)

Youth and Family Services

Youth and Family Services is a community-based, family-oriented program that was created to promote safe and stable families, along with the goals of self-sufficiency, academic and career achievement, and positive integration into the life of the community.  Referrals are made by the city's social work unit, schools, public and private partner agencies, courts, area professionals, churches or by families themselves.  Participation with Youth and Family Services is voluntary and offered on an as needed basis.  While children and youth are often the focal point of services, the program is family-centered and purposes to assess and provide help to the family unit as a whole.

Support and services are provided as follows:                                               

• Intake and Assessment
• Crisis Intervention
• Case Management
• Home Visits
• Advocacy
• Referrals/Service Networking

Summer Youth Achievement Program

The Summer Youth Achievement Program is a dynamic seven-week life experiential program for youth between ages 12 and 15.  It is held Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., from the end of June through mid-August. Participants engage in daily activities and exercises that help to develop character, teamwork, citizenship, healthy lifestyles, and academic and career achievement.  Applications and information may be picked up at the Department of Human Services in mid-April.