                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

FAITH-BASED AND COMMUNITY INITIATIVES; RESPONSIBILITIES OF DEPARTMENT (§
63.2-703)

A. The General Assembly finds that faith-based, volunteer, private and community
organizations make significant contributions to the welfare of our society and
constitute an underutilized and underrepresented reservoir of assistance for
social programs, and special efforts to increase utilization of faith-based,
volunteer, private and community organizations will enhance the
Commonwealth&#8217;s ability to carry out human welfare programs. To carry out
these initiatives, the Department of Social Services shall have the following
responsibilities:

   1. Lead and facilitate meetings as necessary, with faith-based, volunteer,
   private and community organizations for the purpose of sharing information to
   help carry out human welfare programs in Virginia;

   2. Encourage conferences and meetings at the community level for faith-based,
   volunteer, private and community organizations, as needed;

   3. Provide procurement and funding information to faith-based, volunteer,
   private and community organizations, as needed;

   4. Provide information regarding faith-based and community initiatives and
   other information the Department may deem appropriate, to faith-based,
   volunteer, private and community organizations, and other state agencies whose
   missions may be enhanced by increased awareness of such initiatives and
   information;

   5. Encourage the development and maintenance of a statewide network of local
   liaisons to assist in the dissemination of information and assistance;

   6. Develop a statewide list of available faith-based, volunteer, private and
   community organizations. Such statewide list shall be made available to the
   public through the Department&#8217;s website;

   7. Obtain information concerning faith-based, volunteer, private and community
   organizations in other states;

   8. Coordinate offers of assistance from faith-based organizations during
   natural disasters; and

   9. Perform such other duties as the Department deems appropriate.

B. Nothing in this section shall imply or be inferred to mean that additional
federal or state funds will be available for these purposes or that contractual
preferences will be given to such organizations other than past or potential
performance standards utilized under the Virginia Public Procurement Act (&#xA7;
2.2-4300 et seq.).

HISTORY: 2002, c. 326, § 63.1-133.59; 2006, cc. 142, 386; 2016, c. 23.