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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>56944</law_id><section_number>63.2-1612</section_number><catch_line>Responsibilities of Department; domestic violence prevention and services</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="63.2">Welfare (Social Services)</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="III">Social Services Programs</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="16">Adult Services</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="3">Domestic Violence Prevention Services</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>It shall be the responsibility of the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>, to the extent funds are appropriated by the General Assembly or otherwise made available:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> To support, strengthen, evaluate, and monitor community-based domestic violence programs funded by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> and to act as the administrator for state grant funds and the disbursal of federal funds pursuant to &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Authority to receive and grant funds" href="/63.2-1614/">63.2-1614</a> and <a class="law" title="What functions and services may be funded" href="/63.2-1615/">63.2-1615</a>; <a id="paragraph-208557" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/63.2-1612/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> To collaborate with the Statewide Domestic Violence Coalition in developing and implementing community-based programs to respond to and prevent domestic violence; <a id="paragraph-208558" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/63.2-1612/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> To prepare, disseminate, and present educational programs and <span class="dictionary">materials</span> on domestic violence to the <span class="dictionary">local departments</span>, community provider agencies, and the general public; <a id="paragraph-208559" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/63.2-1612/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> To support, strengthen, and act as a resource to <span class="dictionary">local departments</span> on <span class="dictionary">issues</span> of domestic violence, particularly as they relate to both adult and <span class="dictionary">child</span> protective services and self-sufficiency; <a id="paragraph-208560" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/63.2-1612/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> To establish minimum standards of training and provide educational programs to train workers in the fields of <span class="dictionary">child</span> and <span class="dictionary">adult protective services</span> in <span class="dictionary">local departments</span> and community-based domestic violence programs funded by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> to identify domestic violence and provide effective referrals for appropriate services; <a id="paragraph-208561" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/63.2-1612/#5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="6"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> To provide training and educational opportunities on effective collaboration for all staff of <span class="dictionary">local departments</span> and community-based domestic violence programs; <a id="paragraph-208562" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/63.2-1612/#6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="7"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> To work with the Statewide Domestic Violence Coalition to (a) develop policies and procedures that guide the work of persons providing services to victims of domestic violence and their children; (b) implement methods to preserve the confidentiality of all domestic violence services records pursuant to &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Confidential records and information concerning social services; penalty" href="/63.2-104/">63.2-104</a> and <a class="law" title="Confidentiality of records of persons receiving domestic and sexual violence services" href="/63.2-104.1/">63.2-104.1</a> in <span class="dictionary">order</span> to protect the rights and safety of victims of domestic violence; (c) develop policies and implement methods to assure the confidentiality of records pertaining to the address or location of any shelter or facility assisted under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, 42 U.S.C. &#xA7; 10401 et seq.; (d) collect, prepare, and disseminate statistical data on the occurrence of domestic violence and the services provided throughout the Commonwealth; (e) operate the Virginia Family Violence and Sexual <span class="dictionary">Assault</span> 24-hour toll-free hotline and the Statewide Domestic Violence Database (Vadata); and (f) provide a clearinghouse of information and technical assistance on intervention and prevention of domestic violence; <a id="paragraph-208563" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/63.2-1612/#7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="8"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> To encourage the use of existing information and referral agencies to provide specialized information on domestic violence; <a id="paragraph-208564" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/63.2-1612/#8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="9"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> To develop and maintain a statewide list of available community and state resources for the victims of domestic violence; <a id="paragraph-208565" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/63.2-1612/#9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="10"><p><span class="prefix-number">10.</span> To provide technical assistance on establishing shelters, self-help groups and other necessary service delivery programs; <a id="paragraph-208566" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/63.2-1612/#10"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="11"><p><span class="prefix-number">11.</span> To provide leadership and coordination within the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> on domestic violence as it relates to <span class="dictionary">child</span> and <span class="dictionary">adult abuse</span> and neglect, benefits programs, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, foster care prevention, <span class="dictionary">child</span> support enforcement, <span class="dictionary">child</span> care, and the promotion of healthy family relationships; and <a id="paragraph-208567" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/63.2-1612/#11"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="12"><p><span class="prefix-number">12.</span> To promote collaboration and cooperation with other state agencies, including the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of Criminal Justice Services, the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of Health, the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of Housing and Community Development, the Office of the <span class="dictionary">Attorney General</span>, and the Virginia Employment Commission, for technical assistance, data collection and service delivery to facilitate the appropriate response to victims of domestic violence. <a id="paragraph-208568" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/63.2-1612/#12"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1980, c. 597, &#xA7; 63.1-317; 2002, c. 747; 2005, cc. 638, 685; 2006, c. 135.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
