Page 25

Manual Title Chapter Page Revision Date Virginia Medical Assistance Eligibility M01 October 2013 Subchapter Subject Page ending with Page M0110.000 GENERAL INFORMATION M0110.500 16

M0110.500 VIRGINIA DSS STRENGTHENING FAMILIES INITIATIVE PRACTICE MODEL

A. Introduction The Virginia DSS Strengthening Families Initiative (SFI) Practice Model sets forth standards of professional practice and serves as a values framework to define relationships, guide thinking and decision-making, and structure beliefs about individuals, families, and communities. The Practice Model suggests a desired approach to working with and delivering services to Virginia’s citizens.

B. Practice Model Principles The principles of the Practice Model are:

1. All children, adults and communities deserve to be safe and stable. 2. All individuals deserve a safe, stable and healthy family that supports them through their lifespan. 3. Self‐sufficiency and personal accountability are essential for individual and family well‐being. 4. All individuals know themselves best and should be treated with dignity and respect. 5. When partnering with others to support individual and family success, we use an integrated service approach. 6. How we do our work has a direct impact on the well‐being of the individuals, families, and communities we serve.

M0110, Appendix 1 contains the full SFI Practice Model.

C. Policy Medicaid and other benefit programs are designed to provide supportive benefits to assist families who are unable to provide the necessities of life and maintain minimum standards of health and well-being through their own efforts. Gathering relevant information about a family's situation and evaluating that information against the eligibility criteria for the benefit programs are the basis for making the eligibility determinations. The process of gathering relevant information also includes an assessment of need for service programs and other resources to assist the family. This process includes following the Practice Model described above. If other needs exist, the eligibility worker must refer the family for appropriate services or resources within the agency or community. Eligibility workers may consult with their supervisors and other agency staff as necessary to gather information to facilitate making such referrals.