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Human Services

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Sequester Pushes Virginia Families, Working Poor, a Step Closer to Homelessness

Fairfax County human services officials say more funds are needed for housing and other programs.

Fairfax County officials have said the impacts of sequestration are largely unknown, but for some of the county's low-income residents that's no longer true: Last week, the cuts forced the county to stop issuing Section 8 vouchers for affordable housing to families in need. Officials say that up to 150 families in the county might not be getting housing vouchers that will help them pay their rent. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides funding to the county for the program, but the budget sequester has put that in jeopardy. The county stopped issuing vouchers earlier this month and while some residents were able to get help at the last minute, others might not be so fortunate. These cuts directly impact organizations…

Jane Morey Picardi

10:09 pm on Tuesday, April 9, 2013

This is what Mr. Obama calls a "crisis". It is designed to make the public think this decision was made by a republican congress. His motivation in coordination with the mass media is to make the less fortunate feel they can not survive without help from the government. In turn, earning life long supporters of his policies that keep the less fortunate down rather than creating jobs in the private…   more ›

Friday, November 30, 2012

Community Services Board Moving Toward Financial Stability

Improvements to Fairfax County human services are underway.

The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board’s budget appears to be taking steps toward fiscal stability after a September injection of funds from the Board of Supervisors. During a Tuesday meeting of the Board’s Human Services Committee, CSB Director George Braustein updated Supervisors on the agency’s financial progress. In September, the Board of Supervisors helped shore up a projected $9.5 million shortfall in the CSB’s FY2013 budget during the 2012 carryover process. Approximately $3.5 million from the county’s General Fund was allocated to cover employee benefits, and another $3 million was taken from a reserve to fund critical human services. Braunstein said the Infant Toddler Connection (ITC), which provides evaluations and …

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Treatment Centers Spared in Potential CSB Cuts

Fairfax County's Human Services Council has recommended $5 million in human services cost-saving measures.

Fairfax County officials have recommended approximately $5 million in reductions to services and personnel in an effort to fill holes in the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board’s (CSB) FY2013 budget. The CSB, a county agency that coordinates and provides substance abuse treatment, mental health services and care for adults and children with intellectual disabilities, was faced with an $8 million budget shortfall in FY2012 and a $9.5 million shortfall for FY2013. But money from the upcoming FY2012 budget carryover process could close the CSB’s remaining $2.6 million shortfall for last year, and cover $3.5 million in personnel costs and fringe benefits for FY2013, shrinking this year’s shortfall to a still-substantial $6 million. …

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

County Hears Pleas for Support Programs

Last in series of public hearings draws supporters of CrisisLink, other organizations facing cuts

Fairfax County resident Tom Walker started using drugs and alcohol when he was nine years old. He says he wouldn’t be alive today if it weren’t for help he received through the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB). Walker graduated from the now-defunct Sunrise treatment program in 1997 and has successfully pursued a career in mental health. And on Monday night, Walker spoke before the Fairfax County Human Services Council regarding the CSB’s budget woes. The CSB, an agency that organizes and provides critical services to people with mental and physical disabilities and substance abuse issues, faces an $8 million gap in its $150 million budget for 2012 and an additional $9.5 million in 2013. But a plan to manage these holes …

Monday, June 4, 2012

Fairfax Govt: Human Services Hearing, BRAC Commanders Honored

Public hearing on closing shortfalls in Community Services Board budget.

The Fairfax County Human Services Committee will kick off a series of public hearings Monday regarding gaps in the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board budget and the agency’s budget management plan. The Community Services Board (CSB) faces an $8 million hole in its $150 million 2012 budget and an additional $9.4 million shortage in its budget for 2013. The CSB is self-described as "your link to local services for people with mental illness, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities," according to the CSB website. During its May 22 meeting, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors begrudgingly approved measures to mend the budget problems.  The CSB has identified ways to relieve stresses on its budget — …

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Fairfax Board Approves Plan to Mend Budget Gap in Human Services

The plan would help Community Services Board, which is facing budget shortfalls in 2012 and 2013.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a provisional plan Tuesday to help the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board close some of its budget gap. Without the help, it would leave some residents without crucial social services. The Community Services Board is facing an $8 million shortfall in its $150 million 2012 budget and a projected $9.4 million shortfall in 2013. After a public outcry during the fiscal year 2013 budget process, the board of supervisors found $4 million for 2012 and set aside a reserve of $4.2 million for 2013. On Tuesday, the board of supervisors voted to approve a process of helping the board close the gaps while cutting as little as possible, but few of the supervisors were pleased with the …

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