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VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES PRACTICE MODEL

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3. Self-sufficiency and personal accountability are essential for individual and family well-being. • Family members support each other in ways the social services system cannot. We value the intra-family resources and supports that are available within the context of any family as a pathway to self-sufficiency and personal accountability. • We believe employment, training, and education are keys to self-sufficiency. We believe in employment and training programs that remove barriers and create opportunities for individuals and families. • Individuals and families face unique challenges that impact their ability to maintain self- sufficiency. We value all programs and services that assist individuals and families to regain and maintain self-sufficiency and achieve personal accountability. • Both custodial and noncustodial parents should provide necessary financial resources to support their children. • We believe that parents and caregivers serve as role models in teaching the importance of self-sufficiency and personal accountability. • We support asset development strategies to help individuals and families weather short- term emergencies and improve long-term stability.

4. All individuals know themselves best and should be treated with dignity and respect. • All programs and services should be culturally and linguistically sensitive to all individuals. • Individuals and families are empowered when they have access to information and resources. • We support programs for vulnerable populations including children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. • The measure of success differs with every individual. We strive to understand children, adults, and families within the context of their own values, traditions, history, and culture. • The voices of children, individuals, and families are heard, valued, and included in decision- making processes related to programs and services.

5. When partnering with others to support individual and family success, we use an integrated service approach.

• Cooperation, coordination and collaboration within and outside of the social services system are essential to providing the most comprehensive services to families. We are committed to working across programs, divisions, agencies, stakeholder groups, and communities to improve outcomes for the children, individuals, families, and communities we serve. • Through the development of policies, procedures, standards, and agreements across systems, we will share information, solve problems, and overcome barriers. • We value prevention networks that link effective public and private programs and community-based organizations that identify individuals and families before they need services. TRANSMITTAL #35