Useful Links2013-08-13T16:20:00https://www.countyofamherst.com/egov/api/request.egov?request=feed;dateformat=%25A%2C%20%25B%20%25d%2C%20%25Y;featured=3;title=Useful%20Links;ctype=4;classificationid=93;structureid=18Organization Information20132012201120092008Social Services Phone Directory2013-08-09T16:33:26https://www.countyofamherst.com/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item&id=15080Related Pages93Top National Ranking2008-09-04T16:31:14https://www.countyofamherst.com/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item&id=2120Related Pages93
Moving Virginians From Public Assistance to Work
Become a Foster Care to Adopt Parent2008-09-04T16:03:16https://www.countyofamherst.com/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item&id=2110Related Pages93Virginia Dept. of Social Services2013-08-09T13:33:03http://www.dss.virginia.gov0Related Pages93
VDSS Wedsite
Child Support Enforcement (DCSE)2008-09-04T16:49:35http://www.dss.virginia.gov/family/dcse.html0Related Pages93Programs & Services2013-08-09T13:38:48https://www.countyofamherst.com/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item&id=560Related Pages93
Amherst County Department of Social Services Phone: (434) 946-9330 Child Abuse 24 hour Hotline: 1-800-552-7096 (Voice/TDD accessible) Adult Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation 24 hour Hotline: 1-888-832-3858 Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30a.m. - 5:00p.m. Applicants do not require an appointment; simply ask for the type of assistance needed. Adoption : Adoptive placements are made on behalf of foster children eligible for adoption. Reports concerning independent adoption placement are provided upon order from the Courts. Adult Protective Services : Adults, who are 60 years...
Community Resource List2008-09-05T16:19:04https://www.countyofamherst.com/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item&id=530Related Pages93Child Protective Services Investigations2013-08-13T16:20:00https://www.countyofamherst.com/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item&id=410Related Pages93
Valid CPS reports will be considered for an Investigation Response when there are immediate child safety concerns and/or the type of report is required by the Code of Virginia to be investigated including, but not limited to: Sexual abuse Fatalities Serious injuries Hospitalization due to suspected abuse/neglect Physical abuse requiring medical evaluation and/or treatment Abandonment Injury due to use of weapons such as guns or knives Institutional abuse/neglect The purpose of the investigation is to protect the child; determine id abuse/neglect...
Community Partnership2013-08-09T13:40:46https://www.countyofamherst.com/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item&id=440Related Pages93
The safety and well-being of children is a community responsibility shared by families, neighborhoods, service providers, schools, community leaders, the faith community, and others. CPS has the legal authority to protect children but is one component of a community of people and service providers in a position to identify and assist troubled families in keeping their children safe. The success of the CPS Differential Response System is dependent upon the extent to which communities are proactively committed to improving the health,...
Child Protective Services Authorities & Responsibilities2013-08-09T13:34:19https://www.countyofamherst.com/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item&id=430Related Pages93
The Code of Virginia empowers CPS with designated authorities and responsibilities in responding to reports of suspected abuse and neglect and ensuring child safety. These authorities and responsibilities apply to both investigations and family assessments and include " Immediate Response " & " Interviews " with: The alleged victim; Siblings; Parents or Alleged Abusor/Neglector; Other persons having information; Observation of the family home; Authority to take a child into protective custody when there is immediate danger; Authority to petition the Court;...
Family Assessment Response2008-07-31T13:56:40https://www.countyofamherst.com/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item&id=420Related Pages93
Reports may be considered for a Family Assessment Response when there are no immediate child safety concerns and/or the report is not required by law to be investigated such as: Minor physical injury Injuries suggesting inattention to child's safety Lack of supervision Minimal needs for food, clothing, shelter, hygiene are consistently met Untreated physical injuries, illnesses, or impairments Emotional neglect/abuse Substance exposed newborns The goals of a Family Assessment Response are the same as for the CPS program: the protection of...
The Differential Response System2008-07-31T13:56:06https://www.countyofamherst.com/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item&id=400Related Pages93
Since the enactment of Virginia's child abuse and neglect statutes in 1975, all valid reports of suspected child abuse and neglect have been investigated by CPS. This singular response focused resources on investigating the reported incident, i.e., gathering the facts to determine if abuse or neglect occurred, identifying persons responsible, and determining the risk of future maltreatment. The Differential Response System allows localities flexibility in responding to reports of abuse and neglect taking into consideration the severity of the report, immediacy...
Child Abuse Required Reporting2008-07-31T13:55:36https://www.countyofamherst.com/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item&id=390Related Pages93
Anyone may report suspected child abuse and neglect; however, pursuant to the Code of Virginia, certain professionals are required to report. These professionals include: Persons licensed to practice medicine or any of the healing arts Hospital residents or interns Nurses Social workers Probation officers Teachers Child care providers Mental health practitioners Accredited Christian Science practitioners Law enforcement officers Volunteer, court appointed special advocates Court certified mediators Professional staff employed by a hospital, institution, or facility in which children are placed Persons...
Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect2008-07-31T11:21:35https://www.countyofamherst.com/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item&id=450Related Pages93
The Code of Virginia requires that mandated reporters immediately report suspected child abuse or neglect to the local department of social services or to the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline. You need not prove that abuse or neglect has taken place or determine the type of needed CPS response. Local departments of social services are responsible for making these determinations. To report child abuse or neglect, call the Amherst County Department of Social Services at (434) 946-9330 or the State's toll-free...
Basic Principles in Providing Protective Services to Adults2008-07-31T11:16:58https://www.countyofamherst.com/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item&id=480Related Pages93
Freedom is as important as safety; that is, an adult may choose to live in an unsafe situation or even in a self-destructive manner provided that that person is capable of choosing, does not harm other persons, and is committing no crime. Adults have the right to make decisions for themselves until such time as a court determines the adult lacks the capacity to decide and assigns that responsibility to a guardian or conservator. The adult's right to decide includes the...
What is Adult Abuse?2008-07-31T11:10:06https://www.countyofamherst.com/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item&id=520Related Pages93Adult Protection Services Mandated Reporter Information2008-07-31T11:09:32https://www.countyofamherst.com/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item&id=510Related Pages93
MANDATED REPORTERS FOR ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES Code of Virginia, § 63.2-1606(A) - Effective July 1, 2004 · Any person licensed, certified, or registered by health regulatory boards listed in § 54.1-2503, except persons licensed by the Board of Veterinary Medicine: Board of Nursing: Registered Nurse (RN); Licensed Nurse Practitioner (LNP); Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN); Clinical Nurse Specialist; Certified Massage Therapist; Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Board of Medicine: Doctor of Medicine and Surgery, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine; Doctor of Podiatry; Doctor of...
Child Protective Services Community Partnership2008-07-31T11:41:09https://www.countyofamherst.com/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item&id=380Related Pages93
Community Partnership The safety and well-being of children is a community responsibility shared by families, neighborhoods, service providers, schools, community leaders, the faith community, and others. CPS has the legal authority to protect children but is one component of a community of people and service providers in a position to identify and assist troubled families in keeping their children safe. The success of the CPS Differential Response System is dependent upon the extent to which communities are proactively committed to improving...
Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS)2008-07-31T11:40:13https://www.countyofamherst.com/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item&id=370Related Pages93
Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS) Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance - apply in minutes over the phone! Find out if your children qualify, based on your income. FAMIS may also pay for your children to be covered under your employer's health plan. Call toll-free 1-866-873-2647 to find out more. Hours are 8:00a.m.- 8:00p.m. Monday-Friday and 9:00a.m. 12:00p.m. Saturday. A representative will fill out your application and answer questions. Interpreters are available. Call toll-free 1-866-87FAMIS. More information is available at: http://www.famis.org....