McAuliffe Administration to Local Divisions of Social Services: Same-Sex Spouses can now Legally Adopt

World map highlighting those countries where polygamy is legal (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Is This A Violation Of The State Constitution?

Today, at the direction of Governor Terry McAuliffe, the Virginia Department of Social Services released a bulletin informing local social services divisions that adoption between same-sex spouses is now legal across the Commonwealth.

“Now that same-sex marriage in Virginia is officially legal, we owe it to all Virginians to ensure that every couple is treated equally under all of our laws, no matter whom they love,” said Governor McAuliffe. “This historic decision opened the door to marriage equality, and now it is my sincerest hope that it will also open more doors for Virginia children who need loving families.

“By formally recognizing that same-sex couples can now legally adopt, we are more fully complying with the ruling in this important case, and sending the message once again that Virginia is open and welcoming to everyone.”

Virginia law states that a “married couple or an unmarried individualshall be eligible to receive placement of a child for purposes of adoption.”

Below is the bulletin that was sent to local divisions of social services today:

DATE:   October 10, 2014

TO:   Local Departments of Social Services Directors

Adoption Supervisors and Staff

Foster Care Supervisors and Staff

Resource Specialists

FROM: Margaret Ross Schultze, Commissioner

SUBJECT: Impact of Same-Sex Court Ruling on Adoption and Foster Care

CONTACT: Carl E. Ayers, Director of Family Services –carl.e.ayers@dss.virginia.gov or

804-726-7597

On October 6, 2014, the Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal related to Virginia’s statutory and constitutional bans on same-sex marriage.  As a result of that decision, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals decision determining those bans to be unconstitutional became effective.  In other words, Virginia now recognizes and allows same-sex marriage.

We take this opportunity to let you know how the court decision impacts the approval of foster and adoptive homes.  When determining the appropriateness of a foster or adoptive home, Virginia, in response to the Fourth Circuit ruling, now recognizes any legally-performed marriage (same-sex or opposite-sex), whether performed in Virginia or another state.  This ruling does not confer legal status to civil unions or domestic partnerships.  Any married couple is a married couple for purposes of adoptive placements in accordance with Virginia Code § 63.2-1225.

We are in the process of reviewing all applicable statutes and regulations to determine what amendments need to be made.  Additional information will be shared as it becomes available.

Cc:        Regional Directors

(What is civil rights and what is morality? These are now questions that must be asked as well as what is law and what is now legal and illegal. Every aspect of American Society has now been full,y violated and full anarchism is now at reign. We will soon be exploring these issues.)

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Governor McAuliffe Appoints Adoption Champion

. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Adoption Champion will support permanency through adoption efforts statewide

Richmond, VA (August 18, 2014) — Today, Governor Terry McAuliffe announced the appointment of Deborah J. Johnston as Virginia’s newest Adoption Champion.  An adoptee herself, Ms. Johnston is the owner of a Midlothian-based home health care agency. She is passionate about helping children find permanent families, and in her new role, will work to support the Commonwealth’s permanency efforts statewide.

“Promotion and recruitment efforts are critical to ensuring Virginia’s children are placed in loving and caring homes,” said Gov. McAuliffe. “Ms. Johnston will work with prospective adoptive families, recruitment agencies, local departments of social services, public officials and adoptive families in order to promote this mission.”

Last year’s VAdopts: Campaign for 1,000, successfully resulted in 1,041 adoption matches and 695 finalized adoptions.  Since then, the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) has worked diligently with local and state social services staff to keep the momentum going.  “Supporting the continued goal of achieving permanency through adoption, with a specific focus on the longest waiting youth, older teens and youth with special needs, remains a top priority,” said Margaret Ross Schultze, VDSS Commissioner.  “Ms. Johnston has a powerful story, and I am very excited to welcome her as Virginia’s Adoption Champion.” There are currently 828 foster children available for adoption in Virginia.

Ms. Johnston will serve as spokesperson for adoption in Virginia, and will work to engage and educate the public in support of Virginia’s adoption program goals and objectives.  “I look forward to drawing from my personal experience to support and promote adoption throughout the Commonwealth,” said Johnston.  “This initiative is extremely close to my heart, and I am honored by this appointment.”

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Governor McAuliffe Announces Virginia’s Continued Progress on Telehealth and Broadband Expansion

Terry McAuliffe  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Center for Innovative Technology’s Annual 2013 Health IT Survey Shows Virginia Remains a National Leader in Telehealth, Broadband speeds

Today Governor Terry McAuliffe announced the results of the Virginia Center for Innovative Technology’s 2013 Health Information Technology (IT) Assessment, which once again demonstrates Virginia's national leadership in telehealth initiatives.  It also documents faster broadband speeds across the Commonwealth and an increase in adoption rates of electronic health records by Virginia physicians.

“Expanding access and use of cutting edge technologies to grow Virginia’s economy and improve our quality of life is one of my highest priorities,” said Governor McAuliffe. “I am encouraged by this report showing that Virginia is a national leader in telehealth initiatives that will keep communities healthier and that will encourage more entrepreneurs, families, and businesses to locate in the Commonwealth. I look forward to building upon the progress we have made so far to continue to expand broadband access and health technology infrastructure to every region across Virginia.”

The annual assessment identifies gaps in broadband access, trend data related to how gaps are closing and the development of health IT initiatives in Virginia.  It also identifies changes in broadband connectivity across health care provider segments, generates new data used to populate the Commonwealth’s Broadband Map for healthcare facilities and providers, and classifies progress in adoption of key health IT capabilities across the Commonwealth, such as electronic health records (EHR), health information exchange (HIE) and telehealth services.

Dr. Bill Hazel, Virginia’s Secretary of Health and Human Resources, said, “Virginia continues to be a strong leader in the application of health IT, and we are looking forward to accelerating our efforts in this area.”

Important findings include:

·         Virginia is a leader in telehealth adoption and utilization;

·         The HIE marketplace in Virginia is more dynamic and has a larger provider pool relative to many states;

·         Virginia ranks third nationally in EHR adoption among the hospital sector; and

·         Virginia ranks third nationally in download speeds (11.1 Mbps > national average of 8.7 Mbps), which is critical for successful HIE.

The assessment shows that Virginia continues to make progress in broadband deployment.  Since last year, the Commonwealth has risen from 8^th to 3^rd in national rankings for average download speeds.  Moreover, average broadband speeds have more than doubled since 2010, and Virginia has jumped from 5^th to 3^rd in its national ranking for hospital-based adoption of Electronic Medical Records over the past two years.

Virginia’s Secretary of Technology Karen Jackson said, “This assessment once again shows that we are continuing to grow the health IT marketplace by building the infrastructure, innovation and expertise needed for sustainable growth.”

The CIT Broadband service line completed the survey in partnership with Broad Axe Technology Partners and in conjunction with the Secretaries of Health and Human Resources and Technology.  It was funded by CIT’s State Broadband Initiative grant awarded by the National Telecommunication and Information Administration.

The findings of the 2013 Health IT Assessment can be viewed online at http://www.wired.virginia.gov/broadband_health_it.shtml .

About the Center for Innovative Technology, http://www.cit.org 
Since 1985, CIT, a nonprofit corporation, has been the Commonwealth’s driver for innovation, technology and entrepreneurship.  CIT accelerates the next generation of technology and technology companies through commercialization, capital formation, market development and revenue generation services. To facilitate national innovation leadership and accelerate the rate of technology adoption, CIT creates partnerships between innovative technology startup companies and advanced technology consumers. Follow CIT on Twitter @CITorg; and add the Center for Innovative Technology on LinkedIn or Facebook.

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“Virginia Adopts: Campaign for 1,000” Achieves Goal!

Governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell speaking at CPAC. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Governor McDonnell Announces 1,008 children Adopted or Matched So Far in 2013

RICHMOND- The “Virginia Adopts: Campaign for 1,000” effort has met its goal. Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that in calendar year 2013, 1,008 children from Virginia’s foster care system have been adopted or matched with a family who is going through the process of adopting.  The announcement is a part of the focus Governor McDonnell has placed on foster care and adoption since the launch of the “Virginia Adopts: Campaign for 1,000” in May of this year.

Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “In May, we set out to achieve a clear goal: to match 1,000 children in foster care with permanent, loving families this year. Today, I am pleased to announce we have met, and actually now surpassed, this goal. I commend Secretary Hazel, Secretary Kelly, and the many state and local Department of Social Service employees and private adoption agencies who champion this cause day in and day out and who have worked tirelessly to reach this goal. Even though this is a tremendous milestone, there is still a great deal to be accomplished. I look forward to the continued focus on adoption throughout the McAuliffe administration.Every child deserves a family and a place to call home. Virginians have big hearts and big dreams and together, this year, we have changed lives forever.”

“Growing up in a loving family is one of the most important factors in a child’s life. It contributes to a strong sense of identity and builds a foundation for success.  Reaching the goal of matching 1,000 waiting children with permanent families is an extraordinary feat.  I look forward to building on the successes of the McDonnell administration and continuing this effort until there are no more foster children waiting to be adopted in Virginia,” stated Governor-elect Terry McAuliffe. 

Former First Lady Anne Holton added, “I am delighted to see the Campaign for 1,000 reach its goal. Tim and I believe deeply in this cause and it’s gratifying to see the next two gubernatorial Administrations take on and expand the effort.  This is an excellent step in the right direction, and I know that Governor-elect McAuliffe will expand on this success.”

The “Virginia Adopts: Campaign for 1,000” launched in May from the steps of the Governor’s Mansion.  Former first lady Anne Holton joined Governor McDonnell at the launch.  In late July, the Campaign held informational rallies in nine localities across Virginia. More than 900 participants attended these events where potential adoptive parents learned more about children waiting for adoption and the adoption process. The Campaign also featured two innovative social media campaigns: “100 Kids, 100 Days” and “#IHeartAdoption.” The first campaign shared the story of 100 children in the foster care system waiting for a family, over the period of 100 days. #IHeartAdoption encourages adoption supporters to share photos describing why they support adoption on Facebook and Twitter.

Governor McDonnell announced last week his biennial budget will include $27.7 million in new funding for four initiatives targeted at improving foster care and adoption. In 2013, Governor McDonnell secured in the state budget $1.5 million in new funding dedicated to extreme recruitment, general recruitment, and post adoptive services. 

Secretary of Health and Human Resources Dr. Bill Hazel stated, “Now that we have met the goal of matching 1,000 children, our focus will shift to those that have become available for adoption in recent months, since about 40 new children become available for adoption each month in Virginia.  Our goal is to surpass the number of children waiting with a pool of parents who want to adopt out of the foster care system.”

Secretary Kelly said, “This goal means that for 1,008 children, they will celebrate the last Christmas without a permanent family or the first Christmas with their new, permanent families. This is a phenomenal achievement, but we need to keep this momentum up for three to five years in order to truly change the culture of foster care adoptions in Commonwealth.”

            For more information about the “Campaign for 1,000” please view the Governor McDonnell and Governor-elect McAulliffe’s video messageand visit http://www.virginiaadopts.virginia.gov/.

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Governor McDonnell’s Biennial Budget to Continue Commitment to Improving Foster Care Adoption

Governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell speaking at CPAC. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Nearly 1,000 Virginia Foster Children Matched with Adoptive Families so far this year

Governor McDonnell and Governor-elect McAuliffe to Attend Virginia Adopts: Campaign for 1,000 Recognition Event Monday Afternoon

**VIDEO: Governor McDonnell and Governor-Elect McAuliffe PSA on Adoption**

RICHMOND - Continuing his administration’s commitment to children in the foster care system and adoption efforts, Governor Bob McDonnell today announced his biennial budget will include $27.7 million in new funding for four initiatives targeted at improving foster care adoption.  Governor McDonnell also announced today that Virginia has successfully matched 977 children in foster care with adoptive families towards the goal of 1,000 by the end of his administration.

  Additionally, Governor McDonnell announced that Governor-elect Terry McAuliffe will join him at the Virginia Adopts: Campaign for 1,000 Recognition Event on Monday, December 16, 2013 at 3 p.m. at the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond.  The event will recognize the success of the campaign and its many contributors, and at the same time, transition the campaign to Governor-elect Terry McAuliffe’s administration. 

            

           Speaking about Virginia Adopts, Governor McDonnell said, “Last year, the General Assembly approved $1.5 million to fund Virginia Adopts: Campaign for 1,000. Since then, 977 children have been matched with permanent families. This is a tremendous accomplishment and huge step towards creating a new culture around adoption and foster care in Virginia.  We have made significant strides, but there is still a great deal more to be done. The funds included in my budget are a substantial step towards aligning smart evidence-driven policies with the resources necessary to make a difference. We are nearing our goal of 1,000, but there are still children in need of a permanent home. Every child in foster care is there through no fault of his own and deserves a forever family. I encourage all Virginians considering adoption to seek out more information. You can make an extraordinary difference in a child’s life.”

“Finding permanent loving homes for kids in VA’s foster care system is a bi-partisan goal,” Governor-Elect Terry McAuliffe added.  “I look forward to celebrating the successes of this important initiative.”

Speaking about the new funding for the foster care system and adoption initiatives, Governor McDonnell said, “Historically, the child welfare system has focused primarily on protecting children.  While protection remains of paramount importance, for those children in permanent state custody, protection is not enough.  We have to make our best efforts to get these children on the path of becoming productive citizens.  This package of proposals does just that.”

Speaking about the proposals, Secretary of Health and Human Resources Bill Hazel said, “Youth who stay in care until 21 are less likely to end up homeless, in jail, or pregnant when compared to peers who leave foster care at the age of 18.  Youth who stay in care until the age of 21 are more likely to graduate from high school, earn a GED or attend college, and/or trade schools. Since diplomas and higher education are linked to increased wage earnings, youth staying in foster care until 21 are more likely to earn a decent wage, more likely to contribute to the economy and pay taxes and will be less likely to need TANF, SNAP, or other government assistance programs.”

Secretary of the Commonwealth Janet Kelly who helped lead the Virginia Adopts effort with her husband, Ryan, remarked, “In the general population, we are seeing more and more ‘boomerang’ youth. This term refers to young adults who graduate from high school and/or college, leave the home for a short time but then return. Some estimates are that over 50 percent of young adults under the age of 26 will end up back with parents at least one time. With no family, any ‘boomerang’ foster children have no place to turn in crisis and may end up homeless or making questionable decisions to secure housing. Foster care through the age of 21 will provide additional structure to allow these youth to safely navigate young adulthood without catastrophic consequences.”

The governor’s budget proposals include initiatives aimed at further enhancing Virginia’s child welfare system:

Add $16.2 million to cover child welfare costs, including a 3% increase for payments to foster and adoptive parents

·         The introduced budget includes $12.2 million total funds (including $6.5 million from the General Fund) in each year of the biennium to cover the projected cost of providing foster care and adoption subsidy payments. 

·         Additionally, $4.0 million total funds (including $2.4 million from the General Fund) are added to raise the family foster care maintenance payment amount by 3% beginning in FY 2015.

Provide foster care and adoption payments for young adults up to age 21

·         The Governor’s introduced budget makes $10.3 million total funds ($1.9 million general fund) available to expand foster care and adoption subsidies to age 21 per federal Fostering Connections provision beginning in FY 2016. 

o   Under current law, most child welfare payments end when a youth turns 18 in the foster care and adoption programs. 

o   The federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (FCA) created an optional provision that allows states to receive federal matching funds when extending assistance to certain young adults aged 18 to 21.

o   Under FCA, states can receive reimbursement for young adults in the following programs:

§  Foster care: Youth who turn 18 while in foster care can continue to receive support and services until their 21st birthday.

§  Adoption Assistance:   Individuals adopted at age 16 or older can continue to receive assistance until their 21st birthday.

§  Youth in either program must also meet educational and work requirements, such as working on a degree or working at least 80 hours per month.

o   Adopting the provisions of the FCA is expected to promote increased permanency and improved outcomes for youth in Virginia’s child welfare system.

·         In addition, $0.1 million is provided in FY 2015 to develop a plan for implementing provisions of the federal legislation.

Negotiate adoption subsidies for local departments of social services

·         The Governor proposes that the state Department of Social Services (DSS) negotiate all adoption assistance agreements with both existing and prospective adoptive parents on behalf of local departments of social services. 

·         The legal responsibilities of local departments of social services or rights of the adoptive parents will not be changed.

o   This proposal moves the responsibility for negotiating adoption agreements, including the subsidy amount from local departments to the state department.

o   DSS is provided with five positions and $1.1 million total funds ($0.7 million general fund) to implement this new state function.  These positions will have the specific training necessary to handle adoption contracts and subsidy negotiations.

o   It is expected that these positions will improve the statewide constancy of adoption agreements and slow the growth in costs per child.  Moreover, it will ease the current burden that is being placed on local departments.  

Study the impact of state assuming full responsibility for the adoption program

·         The Governor’s budget requires the Department of Social Services, in cooperation with local departments of social services, to prepare a report that examines the financial, programmatic and policy implications of the state assuming full responsibility for all aspects of the adoption program. 

·         This study will provide data necessary to determine the advantages and disadvantages of moving from a locally administered to a state run adoption program.

·         The agency will be conducting this study without any additional resources.

About Virginia Adopts

Virginia Adopts: Campaign for 1,000 is an initiative to match 1,000 children in foster care with adoptive families. Governor McDonnell launched the campaign on May 17, 2013 during Virginia's Foster Care Month. From January 1^st to December 13^th, 977 children have been matched with permanent families. The Campaign featured two prominent social media campaigns: “100 Kids, 100 Days” and “#IHeartAdoption.” The first campaign shared the story of 100 children in the foster care system waiting for a family, over the period of 100 days. #IHeartAdoption encourages adoption supporters to share photos describing why they support adoption on Facebook and Twitter. View the new Virginia Adopts PSA here.

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