The Newport News Children’s Services Act (CSA) was awarded a certificate of recognition and a plaque for “Precious Metal” Outstanding System of Care at the 6th Annual Commonwealth of Virginia CSA Conference held recently in Roanoke.
Nominated by the Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board, the Newport News CSA was recognized for its “longstanding commitment to system of care approaches.” Specifically noted was the CSA’s Community Policy and Management Team success in securing a grant where stakeholder agencies, in partnership with youth and families, received technical assistance from Georgetown University and Youth MOVE National to develop a trauma informed community network.
The Newport News CSA, led by Administrator Crystal Bell, was honored for its steadfast commitment, and the Community Policy and Management Team, the executive leadership of stakeholders, and community members were recognized as a driving force in helping to develop and sustain a “rich and robust system of care.” The nomination also pointed out that “[e]mbedded in the Newport News CSA is a culture that supports empowerment of youth and families, trust, collaborations, cultural competency, peer support, and the promotion of safety, for the youth and families of our community.
The stakeholder agencies include the Newport News Department of Human Services, Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board,
Newport News Public Schools,
Newport News Court Service Unit,
Newport News Juvenile Services, Peninsula Health District, and the National Counseling Group.
The Children’s Services Act for At-Risk Youth and Families is a Virginia law enacted in 1993 that establishes a single pool of funds to purchase services for at risk youth and their families. In Newport News, the program is staffed by the Department of Human Services. By the Code of Virginia, the local Community Policy and Management Team has statutory responsibility for managing funds and developing interagency policies to govern implementation of the Children’s Services Act.