V
irginia
C
apitol
C
onnections
, S
ummer
2014
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Virginia has over 1.8 million children under the age of 18.
This number represents almost 24% of the Commonwealth’s
population. In Virginia, children’s services are divided among
12 state agencies and three Secretariats, including, Education,
Public Safety and Health and Human Resources. Accordingly,
a significant percentage of the Commonwealth’s budget funds
services for youth and their families.
The Virginia Commission on Youth is a standing bipartisan
legislative commission of the General Assembly, which, by
mandate, provides a legislative forum for exploring and resolving
complex issues related to youth and their families. The Commission
onYouth provides a forum for review and study of youth policies and
services. The Commission collaborates with Virginia’s numerous
child-serving agencies and organizations to develop policies and
initiatives that protect and advance the Commonwealth’s most
valuable assets, its youth and families.
The Commission’s primary mission is to study and provide
recommendations to the General Assembly on matters related to youth
and families including child mental health, comprehensive services,
child welfare, kinship care, adoption & foster care, child care, public
safety, juvenile justice, substance abuse, education, health and human
services. The goal of such study efforts is to assist the members of
the General Assembly in developing legislation that reflect consensus
among key agencies, organizations, and special interests.
Commission on Youth – Studies for 2014 Study Year
Study Topic
Source/Mandate
Court Appointed Counsel in Child Welfare Cases
Unlawful placement of child for adoption; abandoned child; penalty
SB 411 (2014, McWaters)
Referred from Senate Courts Committee by letter.
The use of CSA funds for day school and residential educational placements
for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities placed in segregated
facilities
HJR 196 (2014, Adams)
Passed both Houses
Use of Restraint/Seclusion by Schools
HB 1106 (2014, Hope)
State Executive Council
SB 369 (2014, Favola)
Early Childhood Education
Commission request
Ongoing Commission Studies
Study Topic
Source/Mandate
Collection of Evidence-based Treatments for Children and Adolescents with
Mental Health Treatment Needs, 6th Edition
SJR 358 (2003, Houck) & adopted by COY on 4/2/13
Assessment of Mental Health Needs of Juvenile Offenders
SB 928 (2013, Vogel) & adopted by COY on 4/2/13
Report completed July 2014
Three Branch Institute on Child Social and Emotional Well-Being
Work plan adopted by COY on 4/2/13
This is a two year initiative.
Juvenile justice and child welfare multi-system integration project
Invited to participate on the Virginia team with representatives from DCJS, DJJ,
and DSS.
This is a two year initiative.
Select Commission on Youth legislative accomplishments are
highlighted below.
• Developed Virginia’s first Youth Suicide Prevention Plan.
• Successfully introduced legislation to prohibit the use of
suspension/expulsion if truancy is the only disciplinary violation
to reduce chronic truancy.
• Revised Virginia’s statute to establish a procedure for the
restoration of parental rights in select child welfare cases.
• Developed and maintained Virginia’s first resource on best
practices in children’s mental health. This resource is nationally
recognized and currently receives over 30,000 web hits a month.
• Convened four statewide family impact seminars with Virginia
Commonwealth University.
• Streamlined and obtained funding for Virginia’s 2-1-1 system,
which offers health and human resource information and referral,
services
• Offered research and guidance on foster care and child welfare
issues
For more information, please visit the Commission’s website at
Virginia Commission on Youth
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