FAQs

The overall vision of the King George CSA is to be able to reduce out of School placements, reduce the number of children coming into foster care, and to ensure youth with mental or social challenges a system of support which will allow them to be maintained in their respective homes and improve the quality of their lives.

What is CSA?

The Children's Services Act (CSA) is a law enacted in 1993 that establishes a single state pool of funds to support services for eligible youth and their families. State funds, combined with local community funds are managed by local interagency teams who plan and oversee services to youth.

How Does CSA Work?

A child may be referred to the local CSA program either by a case manager in one of the participating agencies or by the parent themselves by contacting the CSA program office in the locality in which they reside. A FAPT meeting is scheduled for the youth and/or family where a service plan is developed. If CSA funded services are approved the requests are then taken to CPMT for funding approval. Services can begin once CPMT has approved the funding.

What is FAPT?

The Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT) is a group of community partners that looks at the strengths and needs of the individual youth and families, decides what services to provide, and prepares a service plan with input from the families.

What is CPMT?

The Community Policy and Management Team (CPMT) manages the local CSA program by coordinating agencies efforts, managing the available funds, and establishing local CSA program policies.

Who is Eligible for Services?

A child may be eligible for CSA funded services if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Requires educational services in an alternate setting as determined by an IEP
• Receives foster care services
• Has been found to be a CHINS through Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court
• Has serious emotional or behavioral problems
• Could be at risk of a more restrictive out of home placement

What Happens at the FAPT Meeting?

• The child and the family take an active part in the meeting to discuss their needs. Families are encouraged to bring a family member, friend, minister, family advocate, lawyer, or anyone else who can provide support or input that is relevant to the family situation.
• A service plan is developed and the family signs the service plan if they agree with the plan
• If they don't already have one. a case manager is assigned to work with the youth and family.
• Parents may be required to make parental co-payments for CSA funded services.

You Have the Right:

• To understand the local CSA process and timelines for receiving referral
• To understand the information that you receive in your native language, if possible
• To participate and be present for the entire FAPT meeting and discuss your child, family strengths and needs, and to participate in decisions that apply to you and your family
• To assistance from someone assigned to you as a case manager
• To review the assessment and service plan
• To consent and agree in writing before beginning any services, except when ordered by the Court
• To read records, challenge information, give permission or release of records, and be provided a written copy of the records
• To disagree with the assessment and service plan, or any part of the service plan.

Appeals

The King George CPMT will ensure that due process for complaints and appeals are followed. In cases not before a Court the family will have the right to appeal the FAPT service plan to the CPMT. A family also has the right to appeal a denial by the CPMT. An appeal must be submitted in writing no later than 10 work days after the receipt of the FAPT or CPMT decision.

Letters of appeal should be submitted to:

King George CSA Coordinator
PO Box 130
King George, VA 22485

The CPMT will convene an Appeals Board to hear the appeal. Families have the right to appeal the final decision of the Appeals Board to the Office of the Children's Services.

For questions or to obtain a referral application, please contact the King George County CSA Coordinator at (540) 252-5090.