childcare to partners trying to achieve independence from public assistance , and promoting parental choice in the selection of child care . It also aims to empower working parents to make their own decisions on the child care that best suits their family ’ s needs and provides consumer education to help parents make informed choices about child care . To apply for child care assistance , go on-line at https :// commonhelp . virginia . gov or call the Madison office .
Services :
Adult Services Adult Services coordinates and provides a range of services to maintain safe living conditions for incapacitated or elderly adults . These include assistance with emergencies , home-based companion services , in-home assistance with some activities of daily living , adult foster care and respite care , nursing home preadmission screening for impaired adults , Medicaid community-based care screenings and arrangement services , help with assisted Living placement and nursing home placement , and case management for adults who require coordination of services .
Adult Protective Services ( APS ) Anyone living in Madison County who is 60 years or older or who is incapacitated and 18 years of age or older may receive protective services if services are needed , which is determined by a DSS social worker investigating reports or suspicions of abuse , neglect , or exploitation . Adult Protective Services are provided regardless of the person ’ s income or financial resources . APS completes investigations in almost every setting including the home , assisted living facilities , nursing facilities and hospitals . APS does not investigate allegations of mistreatment in jails or prisons . To report suspected abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult ( aged or with disabilities ) or to get more information about adult abuse and neglect , call 1 888 832 3858 any time or the Madison office 540-948- 5521 during office hours .
Foster Care Services DSS also provides services to foster children and their foster parents . Foster parents are professional parents who enjoy parenting and are willing to share their home , time , energy and love with children who have special problems . The children range in age from newborn to 18 years . Some have been victimized by abuse or neglect . Some may be physically or mentally challenged ; some may have emotional or behavioral problems . Sometimes , as a result of abuse , neglect , abandonment or a death in the family , courts decide that children must be temporarily separated from their families . To find out more about becoming a foster parent , visit http :// www . dss . virginia . gov / family / fc /. A child ’ s stay in foster care may be as short as overnight or longer depending on the permanency plan for the child . The goal is to reunite the children with their own families . When this is not possible , parental rights may be terminated and adoption becomes the goal for child . Often foster parents are the first choice for the child ’ s adoptive home . In foster care , the department has legal custody of the child and assumes the ultimate responsibility for the child . A family will receive a maintenance payment on behalf of the child to help with expenses while a child is in their home . Children have medical and dental coverage while in foster care .
Family Services and Foster Care Prevention Services Family Services are designed to assist children and families resolve crises , connect with necessary and appropriate services , and remain safely together in their own homes whenever possible . The goal is to prevent or eliminate the need for out-of-home placement of children , promote family strength and stability , enhance parental functioning and protect children . Call MCDSS and ask for the Family Services social worker on intake if you , your family or a friend are experiencing difficulties . 540-948-5521 during office hours .
Children ’ s Services ( CSA ) Services under the CSA may be available to a child who meets at least one of the following descriptions : youth who require private placement for special education , youth who are in foster care or eligible for foster care services , youth who are eligible for services through a Child in Need of Services determination or youth who have significant emotional or behavioral problems and may require services not available from any single agency , require services of multiple agencies , or may be at risk of residential placement . While most of the children who qualify for CSA services are already under the purview of one of the member agencies ( Juvenile Court Services , Social Services , Community Services or the Public Schools ) you may call the Children ’ s Services Coordinator at 540-948-5521 to find out if you and your child are eligible for services . Visit http :// www . csa . virginia . gov / html / for _ parents / for _ parents . cfm for more information .
One-Stop Career Resource Center The resource center is open from 8:15am – 4:45pm and is available to all Madison county residents to assist in finding employment . The resource center is not an employment agency but encourages independent job search with multiple resources at your disposal . The following one-stop services are available free of charge : job postings direct from employers , various web pages , assistance with establishing new email accounts and job search Web pages , computer and internet access and referral for free computer classes .
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