Client is urgently in need of a change of locks. She has already bought locks but needs help changing them. She does not feel comfortable leaving her home without locks changed as she has no way to lock her house. She's just moving in from FL, and needs help getting settled in Bedford. She's moved in to get custody of her son and needs some furniture for the transition. The furniture is not urgent but she needs her locks changed so she can leave the house and look for work. The hearing is on Nov. 1, and we're hoping we can get some services and support in place for when her son moves in. She really does not have supports and is looking for work as well. She says she really needs a church and is open to building a relationship as she does not have any friends or supportive family in the area. Updated on October 02, 2023 by an Agency Worker
We were able to find someone to help change the locks.

Single grandmother who is raising her four grandchildren by herself has been working with this case manager for some time now. Children have all had significant challenges that have placed them before the courts. This grandmother has always been there for her grandchildren since day one and even having some since they were born. She lives on a very fixed income and is need of some home repairs. Currently she needs flooring for her trailer as the flooring she has in her kitchen and dining area is ripped and heavily damaged. The subfloor is showing throughout some spots in the kitchen and dining area. Her living room had carpet and it was extremely worn down that it needed to be taken out and now the living room floor is just the subfloor. This grandmother has mentioned that having some flooring would make her home feel more like a home for her grandchildren. A concern is that after so long with the subfloor showing it could eventually become worn down and holes could appear which would then pose a safety risk for the children in the home.

Mother of three children, ages 3, 7 and 11, needs a new HVAC for the double-wide they own. The 7-year-old is special needs. They have no heat source, but are able to use space heaters while they save for the HVAC. She will apply to DSS Crisis Heating Assistance for $4,000 of the estimated $7,000 to replace the HVAC. She works full-time but is unable to come up with the remaining $3,000. Renovation Alliance has told her they do not cover Bedford County. She has an email version of the HVAC estimate available.

A family of four in the area has recently been displaced and are trying to obtain permanent housing. The family is being connected to resources in an effort to meet this need. However, they are also needing a reliable vehicle to help them get around. Due to the need for reliable transportation the older child has not been attending school, is falling behind academically, and is currently truant. The child would like to remain in our school system due to doing so well with their schooling here and because they have formed some trusted relationships with others in the school.

I am working with a family that includes a 2 young children, a mother, and father. The father who was previously hospitalized for a life threatening health condition, has been recovering for a few months and is now working with Temp Agencies to find a job. The mother had always been a stay at home parent before his hospitalization but when the father got sick they had to move to a different location closer to their family support system and she picked up the finances. Recently the mother lost her job and the father (now cleared) is working towards getting a job to assist with supporting the family. Due to her loosing her job, they fell behind on some bills and work at addressing the home needs one step at a time. They were able to get 1 toddler mattress for their children's room but are unable to afford the 2nd. They were unable to get assistance from their support system to help with paying the electric. They have a disconnection notice for 10/3/2023. We are asking for help with getting 1 toddler mattress and paying the minimum due (379.32) to avoid the disconnection.

I am working with a family who is in need of assistance with cleaning their home. The father works outside of the home to provide, and the mother stays at home, but without many resources to aid her in keeping a clean home. I am requesting that some volunteers come to her home, with cleaning supplies, to help her clean the house. She does not have much clutter, but needs deep cleaning. The family has 5 children, and bunk beds would also be a wonderful help to the family, as all of the children are currently sleeping on the floor on makeshift mattresses.

18 Year-Old Fostering Futures female currently enrolled in her first semester at college studying to be a veterinarian technician in Harrisonburg, VA and living on her own is in urgent need of a car insurance payment and October rent payment, both due on October 1, 2023. This youth is working part time in addition to being in school but does not have the funds at this time to cover these expenses. DSS can assist with payments being made online with a credit card and a receipt provided.

Mom and her two kids are living in a home where the roof has been leaking. This has caused water damage to both children's beds. The roof has since been repaired but the beds still smell of mildew and are creating mold. The dryer in the home also stopped working which has caused issues in drying things due to the water damage.

Grandmother has custody of 15 year old, Grandmother is struggling to care for her, and has had multiple surgeries for her health issues. The Grandmother is overwhelmed and the home is in need of repair, there is a hole in kitchen floor, and the bathroom commode is leaking upstairs. Grandmother needs help. Due to bugs and mice Grandmother needs a new couch and loveseat or chair so the old ones can be thrown out. Grandmother also stated she needs 2 full size bed frames as well. This grandmother is keeping her grandchild out of foster care but could use the help of the community.

Please consider providing a placement with a gift card for food as she cares for her teenage nephew. The placement is on a fixed income with the responsibility of caring for her nephew as his mother finds stable housing. By providing the placement this gift card, she will be encouraged to continue her role in caring this child and ensuring he gets through school.

I am working with a single mother of two who is also raising her granddaughter who needs some assistance. This mom is in need of a washer and dryer for her home. The ones that she has have broken. If this mom can get a washer and dryer, it would help her family be able to wash clothes in the home. This mom works nights and gets her sleep during the day, so it is important for her to be able to complete these tasks at home.

A single mother is currently involved with our Family Treatment Docket in Bedford County, VA. She has a one-year-old daughter, who is currently safety placed with a family friend. She is actively participating in her required services and just recently started a new job washing laundry at a local hotel. She is in the process of working to get her license back. She has to pay a reinstatement fee of $145, as well as the base $25 fee in order to start a payment plan for her noncompliance fee ($600 total). She also has to obtain an SR22. She has contacted Direct Auto and was quoted $176.20 as an initial fee. In total, we are requesting $346.20 in order to cover these fees. She will pick up on the payment plan and the cost of her SR22 moving forward once she gets paid from her job.

Mother is pregnant and has a 10 year old child. They reside in a 2 bedroom apartment that does not have closets. The apartment is extremely cluttered and the mother is overwhelmed. She is requesting assistance in helping her organize and declutter her home. She is also requesting multiple large storage bins and wardrobes for hanging clothes.

Protective mother with 3 children left her husband due to allegations of sexual abuse of the youngest child. She and the children are now residing with her mother in Amherst Co. Mother works but will need assistance with food and gas due to now not having her husband's income.

This family consists of a grandmother who still has a 16-year-old son living with her (her youngest out of 5 children), and 2 grandchildren who frequently stay with her as well. Things lately have been a struggle as she has had to do everything on her own. One thing that would really help her out is receiving a mattress that can accommodate her as she ages, and that can fit a toddler with her as well on the nights that she needs to care for him. If anyone can help with this it would be much appreciated as providing this resource would help strengthen this family.

A grandmother is currently caring for her 4 grandchildren. 2 of which are children and 2 of which are young adults. This grandmother has been experiencing significant health concerns that have caused her to be unable to work. She has been caring for her grandchildren, one of which has special needs, and is doing all that she can to make ends meet. This grandmother has been taking steps to help herself and has applied for different types of assistance to lower her bills and uses any income she does receive to make payments. Along with needing assistance with her bills, the family is in dire need of various toiletries and cleaning supplies. This is truly a case where if any family needed the assistance to prevent this situation from becoming a neglect concern, they would need it. Children need to be able to bathe, and live comfortably. At no fault of their own and at no fault of this grandmother, they are making efforts to combat their current financial situation. Any amount and any help could make the difference in children being able to remain in this home with the family that they know and love. Updated on October 02, 2023 by an Agency Worker
The family has been able to make a large payment towards the outstanding balance on bills. The family now only owes $690 for the outstanding water bill. None of the other personal care/hygiene have been supplied yet either.

A family of three (Mother, Father, and son) are in need of financial assistance following the unexpected loss of the father's job. The father and mother are both seeking employment at this time. Meeting any of the following needs would help strengthen this family and continue to provide stability for this child.

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 working with a single mother who is currently successfully working on her sobriety, this mother has an infant child and is currently trying to get her license back. If the mother can get her re-instatement fee's paid, she will be able to obtain a license and obtain employment to help support her child.