Virginia Dept. of Social Services Holds Public Hearing for Grant Block Funding

On Tuesday, September 23, the Virginia Department of Social Services held a Public Hearing at the Prince Edward County Courthouse. The purpose of the hearing was to “hear public comment and specific comment from organizations that are designated as Community Action Agencies for the counties of Amelia, Buckingham, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottaway, and Prince Edward.” The agency that is selected will be recommended to the Governor of Virginia to receive Community Services Grant Block Funding. This funding is allocated to the chosen area to help “alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty in the designated region of the Commonwealth and to foster self-sufficiency in individuals and families.” These are the funds that support TANF, Head Start, and other public assistance programs.

The Virginia Department of Social Services has developed a complex process for the funding allocation approval. The information gathering portion of the process is one that searches for community organizations that are capable of carrying the designation of a “Community Action Agency.” The designation means that an organization is capable of carrying out a broad range of services designed to eliminate poverty and develop self-sufficiency in families, as well as meet the other criteria for a Community Action Agency. The Organization must be in good financial standing, and must have the “organizational capabilities to receive and distribute public funding on a reimbursable basis.”

Spokespersons for three local organizations came before the three-person panel to lobby for the funding allocation, each providing reasons why they would be the best choice. “STEPS,” which has a long history of service to Farmville and surrounding area, was the first organization to speak. It was followed by the Lynchburg Community Action Group, which began in 1965. The last to present was the Tri-County Community Action Group of South Hill.

All three organizations are already active in their communities, providing services to individuals and families that need them. Citizens that are interested in additional information on all three organizations, including comprehensive lists of the services provided by each, along with their history within their respective communities and service areas can find it at the following websites:

STEPS: www.steps-inc.org/services/

Lynchburg Community Action Group: http://lyncag.org/

Tri-County Community Action Group: http://tricountycaa.com/

There was a public comment time immediately following the presentations by the three groups seeking funding.  Wade Bartlett; Clerk to the Board for the Prince Edward County Board of Supervisors, spoke to the panel on behalf of STEPS and the continued need for its work in the Farmville and surrounding counties.

The Community Services Block Grant Funding allocation process remains ongoing, further details will be released as they are made available.