CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
                 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA




  Agenda Date:         June 1, 2020

  Action Required:     Approve appropriation

  Presenter:           Diane Kuknyo, Director of Social Services

  Staff Contacts:      Jenny Jones, Chief of Family Services
                       Laura Morris, Chief of Administration

  Title:               Additional State Funding for Adoption Assistance - $625,000


Background:

The Charlottesville Department of Social Services (CDSS) has received $625,000 in additional
funding from the Virginia Department of Social Services to provide assistance to adoptive
families.

Discussion:

The purpose of adoption assistance is to facilitate adoptive placements and ensure permanency for
children. Maintenance payments provide support and services for the child and to strengthen the
adoptive family.

The department has seen a steady increase in adoptive placements. In Fiscal year 2018, the
department served 123 adoptive children and finalized 15 adoptions. In FY2019, the department
served 149 children and finalized 37 adoptions. 160 adoptive children have received assistance in
FY20 through May 12th.

Alignment with City Council’s Vision and Strategic Plan:

Approval of this agenda item aligns with the City’s mission to provide services that promote
equity and an excellent quality of life in our community. It is consistent with Strategic Plan Goal
2: A Healthy and Safe City, Objective 2.2, Meet the safety needs of victims and reduce the risk
of re-occurrence/re-victimization.

Community Engagement:

Adoption staff work directly with families and providers to provide needed services and serve as
resources to other department staff and community partners.
Budgetary Impact:

The additional funding for this program is entirely State dollars. No additional City funds are
required or being requested for this program in FY 2020.

Recommendation:

Staff recommends approval and appropriation of these funds.

Alternatives:

If the appropriation is not approved, CDSS will require general funds to cover the May and June
maintenance payments to adoptive families. These payments are negotiated as part of the
adoption agreement and are legally binding.

Attachments:

Appropriation
                                    APPROPRATION
                        Additional Funding for Adoption Assistance
                                        $625,000

WHEREAS, the Charlottesville Department of Social Services has received $625,000 from the
Virginia Department of Social Services to provide assistance to adoptive families.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the council of the City of Charlottesville,
Virginia, that the sum of $50,000 is hereby appropriated in the following manner:

Revenue-$625,000

Fund 212   Cost Center: 9900000000    G/L Account: 430080    $625,000

Expenditures-$625,000

Fund 212   Cost Center: 3311007000    G/L Account: 540060    $625,000


BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this appropriation is conditioned upon the receipt of
$625,000 from the Virginia Department of Social Services.