Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the State Board of Social Services intends to consider 22VAC40-201, Permanency Services - Prevention, Foster Care, Adoption, and Independent Living. The purpose of the proposed action is to make 22VAC40-201 consistent with the Code of Virginia and federal laws, as well as make other necessary changes, including (i) amending definitions (such as guidance manual name changes to the Child and Family Services Manual); (ii) eliminating independent living (IL) as an allowable permanency goal; (iii) changing family assessment requirements; (iv) adding references to the Department of Education and the Department of Social Services Joint Guidance for School Stability of Children in Foster Care; (v) adding components for service planning; (vi) clarifying and adding changes to IL services; (vii) clarifying and adding training requirements for child welfare staff; and (viii) establishing a process for regularly reviewing foster and adoptive parent rates. This regulation encompasses the full range of services for prevention, foster care, adoption, and independent living services and provides local departments of social services with rules for the provision of child welfare services.

The agency does not intend to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

Statutory Authority: §§ 63.2-217 and 63.2-900 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: July 3, 2013.

Agency Contact: Cynthia Bauer, Program Consultant, Department of Social Services, 801 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 726-7550, FAX (804) 726-7499, or email cynthia.bauer@dss.virginia.gov.