I am working with a family who has recently moved here from France. While the family was in France they were dealing with domestic violence from dad to mom and from dad onto the kids. Since then, the parents have separated, and mom has become the primary caregiver. The family came here from France without any furniture and without most of their belongings. Mom has been working hard to start to rebuild but is struggling to meet the bills even though she is working multiple jobs. Mom shared with me last night that her son's dresser was broken, and he does not have a place to store his clothes. (He also does not have a closet) She also is in need of a second dresser to store addition clothing and items.

Mom is a single mother to two children. She works full time and has her own transportation. She has fallen behind on her rent and went to court last week on an eviction notice. The total amount she owes is $2389. Mom indicates she is able to put $1000 towards the payment which makes the remaining balance $1389. Any assistance for this family would be greatly appreciated.

Craig County DSS is looking for a female "mentor" to assist one of our 18 year old females with Independent Living Skills to ensure that the youth is as prepared as she can be for when she ages out of our Fostering Futures Program. The individual we are seeking must be able to pass a CPS and Virginia State Background Check (any fees will for checks will be covered by DSS) prior to being considered for this position. This position is critical for our youth and the individual will be reviewed by the youth's caseworker and DSS Director/Supervisor.

I have a father, who was incarcerated, needing help paying his cell phone bill so that he can get his service turned back on. This assistance will allow him to strengthen the family dynamics and rebuild the broken relationships.

A biological mother in Salem needs assistance with repairs to her kitchen counter and bathroom so that her children can be returned home. The back portion of her kitchen counter near the faucet has rotted and the tiling in the bathroom is peeling away so that the water is damaging the back wall. These repairs would help these children return home to a safe and healthy environment, and I know they would all be so grateful for these repairs. This mother has worked very hard to get her children home, and this is one of the final things preventing return home at this time.

The family who requires help lives in rural Virginia and does not have a laptop to complete the state-mandated Kinship training. This training is crucial in order for the family to remain in compliance for the kinship foster parent approval process. Additionally, this family will continue to benefit from a laptop computer as it will help link the family to different resources they will need ongoing. The child who will receive this help is 13 years old. He is nonverbal and autistic. His grandmother, and his mother who is now back in the home, have continued to advocate for the child and his needs appropriately.

The family I'm working with includes a single grandmother and her four grandchildren. She has been their kinship foster parent since her grandchildren entered foster care in June 2023. The family has no access to a laptop computer. This is an ongoing need that would be beneficial to the family, and additionally at this time, the grandmother is required to attend a kinship pre-service training class (on Zoom) that will allow her to learn the most effective ways to help her grandchildren be successful in life, as well as have the fellowship of meeting with other kinship caretakers who can relate to her and her story. This need will help the family long term because having a laptop will be an excellent resource to help find and meet their needs as well as the added benefit of fun and entertainment.

I recently started working with a mother and father who have four children still under the age of 18 in the home. They also care for two grandchildren, one of whom recently left foster care and was put in their custody. Both parents parents and their oldest child (also a parent herself) work. The oldest child is not able to be on her own as she has mental health needs, which are partially addressed through services but she requires additional assistance to navigate her life. While some of the children attend daycare, not all are able due to ages as well as limited daycare space. The parents currently rotate their schedules to ensure they can each work, while also being able to adhere to day care pick-up/drop-off times and supervise children not in daycare and on no school day. One of the grandchildren, a toddler, has medical needs that requires frequent appointments that also have to be balanced with the schedule. The family has been working diligently to meet the needs of their family while balancing conflicting schedules and expectations. While they have been making ends meet, they are currently struggling with credit card debt and the need to get insurance for the family's one vehicle. They were quoted $340 down payment and $190 a month for car insurance. The Department and the family would be appreciative of any assistance they can get with meeting this need, because if they do not obtain car insurance, there are concerns regarding their ability to maintain employment and all the children in their home.

I have been working with this family for a variety of issues. Single mother has 7 children of her own under the age of 18. The father of the children has been incarcerated for years. This mom has worked one-two jobs for the majority of her adult life. This mom is a CNA. She is in charge of providing for all her children, and her grandchild. This mom does have family support in town and does ask them for help here and there. The Department at one point also helped her pay some of her past due bills. Mom is trying to secure a new home that is in her budget, but is finding it difficult to secure a deposit, when she has to provide for the rest of her household. One of her children are participating in services, she is involved with the courts and is doing her best to complete her services. The mom has applied for section 8, public housing, income related housing and is stuck on how to secure housing moving forth. THIS MOM has struggled paying her landlord, but also has complained that the landlord has not kept their part, because there is always something that needs constant fixing in the house. The mom has also gotten in touch with code enforcement a few times. Mom is overwhelmed about housing and keeping up. Mom needs community support. Mom has seen a house that is in her budget, but the deposit is too high, and she cannot afford to pay it. Anyone can support mom, help with the deposit?

I am currently working with a family (2 parents) and their 4-year-old child. Family was due for disconnection on 8/31/2023 but were too able to get an extension until 9/20/2023. Family has been making payments on their AEP account but has had to get extensions on the account for the past 4-5 months and are in need of any help. The family is trying to bring their account current. We would greatly appreciate any help. Thank you in advance.

After two year of maternal aunt being custodian for the child, parents filed for custody and temporary custody was granted. Parents are on a limited income and having to immediately have her child come and live with her after two years, she has been met with extra expenses. The transfer of food stamps is in motion but she will not receive them until 9/7/23. Family is in need of groceries and basic household products such as hygiene and cleaning supplies

A single mother of 4 young children needs help. There are 3 girls and 1 boy, ages 7-11. The children's father recently passed away and their mother is trying her best. The children need proper beds to sleep in, they are currently sharing one bed with their mother or sleeping on the floor. The mother works night shift, so beds would provide some comfort to the children. Providing these beds will improve the children's quality of life and will greatly benefit the family.

This family recently moved into a larger unit to better accommodate them and into a safer neighborhood. The unit has stairs and the prior unit does not. The youngest child is 3 and is not accustomed to navigating stairs.

A single mother with two children who recently left her home due to domestic violence and abuse of the children. Mom and both the kiddos are living with her mother. Her 5 year old son was able to find clothes at the local clothing closet but the 13 year girl was not able to find anything that was age appropriate for her. Our request is to help his young teenage regaining her self image and confidence by allowing her to shop for some school clothes.

This mother is going through some financial hardship and is in need of a gas card so she can get back and forth to work. I am hopeful to provide her with atleast 2 $50 giftcards so she can put gas in her car, and help her out over the next couple of weeks.

A grandmother caring for her grandson is experiencing financial hardship due to her fixed income. The grandmother is disabled. The grandson was placed with the grandmother as a last resort to avoid foster care while the CPS court case is in progress. The grandmother is currently requesting money to cover her car insurance so that they will have transportation.

I am working a case currently where a parent has requested for me to find some extra clothes for her 11 year old daughter.

Roanoke City DSS had 4 siblings in foster care who were placed with a kinship provider in December 2022. This kinship provider is actually only related to two of the children, but she understood the need for siblings to be together so she petitioned for custody of all four children. She and her husband both work and have two children of their own. This means the addition of the 4 siblings doubled their family size, and meant their two bedroom home was no longer enough space. They made arrangements for a new home with enough space for all the children; however, it is in need of several repairs, the costs of which have really added up. There are needs that range from railings on stairs to roofing issues. The total cost has been estimated to be $8,000 for materials and $4,000 for labor. This provider has shared her story at a monthly meeting.