RD269 - Report on the Virginia Faith-Based and Community Initiative - December 2009


Executive Summary:
Section 63.2-703 of the Code of Virginia charges the Department of Social Services (DSS) with providing leadership and coordination for Virginia’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative and to report on a regular basis to the Governor and the General Assembly on the fulfillment of DSS’ responsibilities.

Major DSS accomplishments during the period from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009 that strengthened faith-based and community collaboration through the Faith-Based and Community Initiative include:

• Hosting seven regional best practice forums with faith-based, volunteer, private and community organizations for the purpose of sharing information to help carry out human services programs in Virginia;

• Providing technical assistance to over 1,330 constituents on locating grant funding, obtaining training, and writing grant proposals;

• Developing employment resource guides for use by faith-based and community organizations serving as access points to Virginia’s workforce development programs; and

• Increasing involvement by faith-based and community organizations in statewide emergency response and disaster relief efforts.

The regional best practice forums targeted communities considered “distressed” based on (1) unemployment, (2) the number of children enrolled in the school lunch program, and (3) median family income. Forums were held in Petersburg, Melfa (Eastern Shore), Wise, Keysville, Martinsville, Woodstock, and Sussex, and included 395 participants from over 38 localities.

This is the fourth report to the Governor and General Assembly. Building on previous successes, Virginia’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative will continue to affiliate faith-based organizations with state, local and community organizations to promote collaborative service delivery, accountability, transparency, and results. The accomplishments and activities of the Virginia Faith-Based and Community Initiative have helped countless families, organizations, and communities across the Commonwealth.