Children's Services Act (CSA)

What is CSA?

The Children's Services Act (CSA) previously Comprehensive Services Act for At-Risk Youth and Families was enacted by the Virginia Legislature in 1993. The act established a single state pool of funds to purchase services for eligible youth and their families. The state funds, combined with local community funds, are managed by local interagency teams who plan and oversee services to youth.

Lynchburg CSA Vision

Resilient Youth and Families!

Lynchburg CSA Mission

To create, maintain, and manage a collaborative system of services and funding that is child-centered, family-engaged, and community-based.

Community Policy and Management Team (CPMT)

Purpose

To provide oversight to the Children's Services Act and approve requests for funding of eligible cases.

Philosophy

The philosophy of the Lynchburg Community Policy Management Team is that troubled, at risk youth and their families are best served by a community system of care that is comprehensive, coordinated, and responsive to the needs of families and youth. The philosophy is based upon the following values:

  • Youth and families are the future of Lynchburg and need to be healthy: physically, mentally emotionally and economically.
  • Youth and families are best served by a system of care that is child-centered, family-engaged, and community based.
  • Youth should be provided with services within the context of their families, whatever their composition. The goal is to empower, strengthen, and support families in caring for their children and promoting resiliency.
  • Families should be fully involved in every aspect of the assessment, planning, delivery, and evaluation of services provided to their children.
  • Youth and families should have access to services tailored to meet their unique strengths and changing needs. Services are to be sensitive to cultural differences and special requirements.

Goals

  • To manage funds to pay for services (cost efficiency)
  • To coordinate agency efforts (community-based)
  • To assist in allocation of resources needed to serve youth and their families (least-restrictive)

Meeting Days for CPMT

CPMT meets at the Human Services building on 99 Ninth Steet. Meetings are held every Tuesday, unless there is a city holiday on Monday. Meetings are held at 10:00 AM. Meetings are open to the public. During each meeting there is a closed session as permitted by the provision of law 2.2-3711.

Membership for CPMT and FAPT

Membership on this team includes members from: Community Services Board (Mental Health), Juvenile Court Services Unit, Department of Health, Department of Social Services, Department of Juvenile Services, the local school division, a representative of local government, a parent representative, and a private provider.
 

Family Assessment and Planning Teams (FAPT)

Each Family Assessment and Planning Team shall assess the strengths and needs of eligible youth and families. The team including the parents, children and social supports collaborate to identify and determine services required to meet the needs of the family. The goal of the team is to develop a plan that is: child centered, family focused, community based, least restrictive and cost effective. The plan is then recommended to the CPMT via the Children's Services Act Coordinator.

Families and children may qualify for help if they (children):

  • Have serious emotional and/or behavioral problems
  • Need intensive services
  • Need special education services
  • Are in the custody (or at risk) of the Department of Social Services.

Utilization Management

Each locality receiving funds for activities under CSA shall have a utilization management process. During this process CSA will track utilization and performance of residential facilities receiving funding while working to reduce/prevent placement and decrease length of stay.

Utilization review will consist of but not be limited to:

  • A review of written reports and service plans
  • Site visits to verify the quality and quantity of services being provided by agencies
  • Interviews with youth being served

The quality assurance team will also meet with current agencies and potential agencies who wish to be considered to provide services for youth and families in the City of Lynchburg. The quality assurance team includes members from: Community Services Board, Juvenile Court Services Unit, Department of Social Services, and the local school division.

Family Reunification Coordinator 

Involves families in the crucial decisions of assessment, treatment and care of children through the use of the family partnership model as well as the established Family Group Conferencing model while managing a challenging caseload and completing other administrative responsibilities.

The Lynchburg CSA is comprised of the following staff members:

  • CSA Coordinator: Dana Wright
  • FAPT Coordinator: Jessica Penn
  • Utilization Manager: Carlita Osborne
  • Family Reunification Coordinator: Tracy Brown
  • Administrative Assistant: Kecia Jones