Showing posts with label Child Protective Services. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Child Protective Services. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

First Lady Helps Virginians Stay Warm This Winter




~ 2014 Fuel Assistance Application Deadline Is Nov. 14 ~

RICHMOND, Va. – First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe is leading efforts this fall to make sure there is help available for low-income Virginians who have difficulty paying their heating bills.

The First Lady appears in a new Public Service Announcement encouraging individuals and families to apply for fuel assistance through the Energy Assistance Program, which is implemented by the Virginia Department of Social ServicesApplications are being accepted now through Friday, Nov. 14

“No Virginian should have to face the winter months without heat, so I’m encouraging them to submit an application, as soon as possible, to their local department of social services,” said Mrs. McAuliffe.

The program assists with various types of energy sources, including electricity, natural and liquid propane gas, oil, kerosene, coal and wood. Families and individuals must apply through their local department of social services office.

“Last year, Virginia experienced a pretty harsh winter, and we anticipate similar conditions this year. This program is designed to ensure eligible citizens have access to the heating assistance they need,” said Margaret Ross Schultze, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services. 

To qualify for Fuel Assistance, the maximum gross monthly income for a one-person household cannot exceed $1,265.  For a household of four, the maximum gross monthly income is $2,584. Nearly 126,000 households received assistance last year. 

The VDSS Energy Assistance Program is funded by the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) block grant. LIHEAP provides funds to states to assist low-income households in meeting their home energy needs.

“This program is essential to many Virginia families who struggle to pay their winter heating bills,” said Gov. Terry McAuliffe. “We appreciate this federal program, which helps Virginia meet the needs of thousands of Virginians.”

For more information on the EAP, visit http://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/ea/index.cgi, to screen for services, or to apply online, visit https://commonhelp.virginia.gov/access/.



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Sunday, October 19, 2014

Morality Beyond Same Sex Marriage; Morality? It's Now Gone.

President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the 1964 Civ...
President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the 1964 Civil Rights Act as Martin Luther King, Jr., and others, look on. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Please note; the following arguments we are about to present do not reflect our actual positions on the subject.

With same sex marriage now being thrown upon many within various states throughout the United States questions of what is moral and of civil liberty or civil rights now come into full question.  That question being what exactly are civil rights?  The claim for allowing same sex marriage is based on civil rights.  Now that these arguments have been winning so much ground, it's time to seriously explore civil rights and start asking a lot of questions and even demanding further civil rights.

  Since these arguments are civil rights then one has to start arguing for further civil rights.  The civil rights of polygamy which is the ability to marry more than one person.  If a man wishes to marry more than one person, then under the liberty of civil rights, he should be allowed to.  If a woman wants more than one husband or wife, then she should have full legal rights and ability to do so.

  And what of the rights of those who practice beastiality?  Under the liberty of civil rights, if a man or woman wishes to marry an animal and practice whatever they wish with that animal under the liberties of civil rights, then they should be fully allowed and legal.  Under the liberty of civil rights then either a man or woman should be able to marry any person and or multiple animals and live in whatever manner they so wish practicing whatever desires they wish.

  Further under the liberty of civil rights, if a man or woman wishes to marry a minor of any age, that person should be allowed to.  If a man wishes to marry a 7 year old boy, what right does anyone have to block the civil rights of that man?  Where can morality be reasonably be argued?  Morality has become strictly subjective now.  Not later on down the road but right now.  

  Prostitution needs to be legalized now as does every form of gambling.  All drugs need to be fully legalized as who is anyone to determine the morality of anyone who wishes to use them?  Abortion equally is a a civil right, not a question of morality.

  Same sex marriage has never been about rights, it's about breaking the backbone of Christianity and the questions of a moral society.  Now that it has been broken, one can no longer block any of these other arguments on a sound foundation.  There are groups now working on infiltrating Christian churches in an effort to demand that same sex marriages are recognized and not blocked, which is the full destruction of the Christian church.

  And how will they win this battle?  Through the tax structure for one.  In other ways, laws will be enacted against ministers in a way where ministers can be arrested and convicted of crimes for not recognizing same sex marriages.  And again, I argue, that the rest of the above arguments are just as valid.  Why not have 8 men marry each other creating a new definition of marriage?

  Property rights laws will become one of the biggest headaches ever seen once polygamy becomes law.  But why stop there?  The rights to contract slavery should also be recognized.  If a person wishes to sell themselves into slavery, under the liberties of civil rights and equally under contractual laws, why should this not be allowed?  Who is to define the morality against such?  The doors are now fully open to all of these matters and the battles are now about to begin.  We have already seen battles beginning for the full legalization of prostitution.  Gambling has been making slow inroads for decades, now it will go onto the fast track.

  Why not gamble your life?  If you lose, you become a slave or a prostitute, for x amount of time or for life based on the contract you gamble for?  Sounds rather tempting does it not?  Who is to say that these issues are wrong now?  What rights do judges have to hear any case?  Anarchism has become the law based on recent forced decisions on "WE THE PEOPLE" who did NOT authorize these decisions.  Who cares what your opinion is on these issues as everyone has to ask why your opinion should even count as your opinion violates the civil rights of others who have different opinions.  When society spoke, the vast majority of people voted against same sex marriages.  The politicians stole the rights of the people and in our opinion, (which now does not count as it violates someone's civil rights to their own opinions), forced immoral, indecent, anti Christian principals on us all against the will of the people.

  The United States, once the flame of liberty and freedom, has become an international joke of black smoke and dust in this modern day.  No longer a leader of freedom but instead a leader of tyranny against the people.  There is no longer any right to argue rights as anyone should now be free to argue against those rights that are no longer rights but instead civil liberty rights add infinity add nausea.  

  What the future should hold?  Super centers where one can go in, marry the first prostitute that makes them feel good, gamble with their lives risking slavery while taking an insane amount of drugs and if pregnancy becomes an issue later on down the road, an abortion clinic right there under that same roof.  Shows for entertainment featuring some of the most bizarre forms of beastiality with an option to marry the animal going to the highest bidder.  Take your children but if one of them gets married while there, you do not have the option of bringing them back home or defending your child against that option.

  The door is now open to such a future society.  Are you ready for it?  How can you now argue against it?

Again, these are not our positions, just the handwriting on the walls that we see.

Friday, October 17, 2014

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

World map highlighting those countries where p...
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 Servicescarl.e.ayers@dss.virginia.gov or

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.)

Monday, August 18, 2014

Governor McAuliffe Appoints Adoption Champion

English: Virginia state capitol in Richmond. F...
. (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.”


Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Governor McAuliffe Announces “High Performance Bonus” for Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program for the Third Consecutive Year

English: Logo of the .
English: Logo of the . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
RICHMOND –Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) will receive a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) High Performance Bonus from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the amount of $1.7 million.  Virginia is also recognized as having the lowest payment error rate in the country at .44 percent.

“This award underscores Virginia's dedication to serving those in need throughout the Commonwealth while ensuring a high level of program integrity,” stated Governor McAuliffe. "Through this program, more Virginia families have access to the resources they need to live strong and successful lives, which will contribute to a thriving Virginia economy." 
Currently, more than 908,000 Virginians receive SNAP. More than one in every 10 Virginians depend on SNAP for their basic subsistence needs.  In state fiscal year 2013, Virginia issued $1.4 billion in SNAP benefits. “Receiving a bonus award for the third consecutive year reflects Virginia's commitment to ensuring needy families receive the benefits they are entitled to,” said Margaret Ross Schultze, Commissioner for the Virginia Department of Social Services.  “It’s encouraging that theUSDA recognizes our efforts to achieve and maintain high performance.”
Each year, USDA awards performance bonuses to the eight states with the best and most improved program access index.  USDA also awards bonuses to the states with the highest rate of timely processed applications, an important indicator of customer service in administering the program. VDSS will reinvest the bonus funds into SNAP to continue to enhance program performance, bolster training and automation, and streamline local administration of the program.