department of social health services
Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) Podcasts
The Virginia Department of Social Services podcasts take a closer look at the personal stories behind the agency's programs. A unique mix of one-on-one interviews will feature topics including poverty, domestic violence, adoption, foster care, assisted living and insight into self-sufficiency for individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth. For more information, visit the department's Web site at http://www.dss.virginia.gov/.
- Virginia anounces "Most Wanted" child support evaders
Nick Young, Division of Child Support Enforcement director, talks with WRVA's Jimmy Barrett about the newest "Most Wanted" poster featuring Virginia's most egregious child support evaders. Podcast provided courtesy of WRVA/Clear Channel Communications. - Governor Kaine declares September as Kinship Caregivers Month; by caring for relatives, kinship families help keep children out of foster care system
This interview features grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. They are part of a growing trend of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and siblings caring for young relatives when their birth parents cannot. This relationship is known as kinship care. Governor Timothy Kaine has declared September as Kinship Caregivers Month. [Music provided by CCmixter, Track: Black is the Night by Scott Altham]. - Se invita a la comunidad a testificar sobre los temas de inmigración; La Comisión de Inmigración del Gobernador tendrá una audiencia pública en Richmond
Se invita a los residentes a brindar testimonios sobre los temas de inmigración y su impacto en el estado de Virginia. La Comisión de Inmigración del Gobernador llevará a cabo una audiencia pública el martes 23 de Septiembre de las 6pm a las 9pm en el Salon D del Edificio de la Asamblea General de Virginia. 900 E. Broad Street, Richmond. La Comisión de Inmigración del Gobernador está encargada de estudiar, reportar y hacer recomendaciones sobre los costos y los beneficios de la inmigración en Virginia. Se ruega a las personas que asistan que sus comentarios/testimonios sean específicos al área Central de Virginia ya que esta es la única audiencia que se llevará a cabo en Richmond. [Music provided through a Creative Commons license with CC Mixter: Rhythmboy - Diploma (Rhythm Boy Remix)] - Governor's Commission on Immigration to hold public hearings throughout Virginia
The Governor's Commission on Immigration will continue its tour around the Commonwealth, with public hearings slated for Norfolk in July, Harrisonburg in August and Richmond in September. In this interview, Commission Chair Sen. John Watkins encourages to public to let their voices be heard on this important issue. - Se invita a la comunidad a hablar sobre temas de inmigración
Se invita a los residentes a brindar testimonios sobre los temas de inmigración y su impacto en el estado de Virginia. La Comisión de Inmigración del Gobernador llevará a cabo una audiencia pública el miércoles 16 de Julio de las 5:30pm a las 8:30pm en el Sentara Norfolk General Hospital localizado en el 600 Gresham Drive - edificio Raleigh, segundo piso. [Music provided through a Creative Commons license with CC Mixter] - Lack of transportation in rural areas can make it hard to get and keep a job
Having a car and a job are two things many people take for granted. But when you're poor, both can be a luxury. For the working poor in rural areas where there generally is no public transportation, getting to work can sometimes be a challenge, especially if you're a low-wage worker and can't afford a car. [Music provided courtesy of CCmixter through a Creative Commons License.] - Public transportation is critical for the working poor
Visit a downtown Richmond bus stop on a weekday and you'll find lots of activity. Many riders are heading to or from their jobs. Many could termed working poor - and they work hard at car washes, day care centers and hospitals, but they don't make enough money to afford a luxury like a car. For them, public transportation isn't a matter of convenience - it's a necessity for survival. [Music provided courtesy of CCmixter through a Creative Commons License.] - High gas prices take toll on working poor
Practically everyone is feeling pains at the pump, as gas prices keep rising. For those who are already struggling to make ends meet, it can be especially hard. Some are now making more sacrifices than ever just to get by. [Music provided courtesy of CCmixter through a Creative Commons License.] - World Refugee Day is June 20; many start new life in Virginia
This interview features Sami, an Iraqi refugee who has settled in Virginia after Al Qaeda threatened his life for helping U.S. Forces in Iraq. [Music for this podcast was provided courtesy of Anchor Mejans - Submerged (Come Up For Air Mix) and Shimoda - Around Dusk (Ambient Friday Mix)]. - Se invita a la comunidad a hablar sobre temas de inmigración
Se invita a los residentes del área a presentar sus comentarios durante la audiencia pública de la Comisión de Inmigración de Virginia, que se llevará a cabo el 17 de junio de las 5:30pm hasta las 8:30pm en las oficinas del Consejo de la Ciudad en Roanoke (City Council Chambers). La Comisión solicita comentarios públicos sobre los temas de inmigración y sus efectos en Virginia. [Music provided through a Creative Commons license with CC Mixter] - Virginia Commission on Immigration to hold public hearing in Roanoke
Area residents are invited to present comments to the Virginia Commission on Immigration at its next public hearing, scheduled for Tuesday, June 17 from 5 - 8 p.m. in the City Council Chambers in Roanoke. The Commission is seeking public input on how immigration issues are affecting Virginia. The public is encouraged to comment on immigration issues specifically related to the Roanoke Valley and Western Virginia, as the Commission will conduct additional hearings in other parts of the Commonwealth. Public comment will be limited to three minutes per person. Sign up for public comment will be onsite at 4:00 p.m. In this interview, Senator John Watkins discusses the importance of the hearings. - First Lady works for strong foster care programs
Nearly 8,000 children are in foster care throughout the Commonwealth. Approximately 50 percent are 13 and older. These children are in urgent need of foster parents and, for many of them, a "forever family." The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) is asking families, couples and individuals to open up their hearts and homes to a foster child. First Lady Anne Holton created the For Keeps foster care initiative in 2007. It was founded on the belief that every child deserves and needs a "forever family." Under her leadership, a number of foster care reform efforts were successfully passed this year. In this interview, the First Lady talks about her initiative, the importance of foster care and what foster children need most. [Music samples by Lasswell - Pink Clouds (Reprise Mix) and Loveshadow - Back To Me (The Hearts Regret Mix). Music provided courtesy of CCmixter through a Creative Commons License.] - Se invita a la comunidad a hablar sobre temas de inmigración
La Comisión de Inmigración llevará a cabo cinco audiencias publicas en todo el estado para solicitar testimonios sobre los efectos de la inmigración en Virginia. La primera audiencia pública será el 22 de mayo en la Universidad George Mason en el Cinema del Centro Johnson: 2-5 p.m. y 6-9 p.m. - Virginia Commission on Immigration to hold public hearing in Fairfax
The Virginia Commission on Immigration will hold its first of five statewide public hearings on Thursday, May 22 in the Johnson Center Cinema on the campus of George Mason University. The Commission is seeking public input on how immigration issues are affecting Virginia. The public is encouraged to comment on immigration issues affecting Northern Virginia, as the Commission will conduct additional hearings in other parts of the Commonwealth. There will be two sessions: 2-5 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. In this interview, Senator John Watkins, discusses the importance of the hearings. - Sexual assault in Virginia
According to recent statistics, one out of every Virginia adults has reported being the victim of rape or attempted rape at some point in their lifetime. There are an estimated 30,000 sexual assault victims each year in Virginia. In this interview, a rape survivor speaks about her experience and the program manager of the Virginia Department of Social Services' Office of Family Violence offers information and safety tips. [Music: Kaer Trouz - Love Kaer Shadow Trouz (Jericho Vs Unforgiven) and CDK - Good Bye Mr. Rogers. All music is made possible through a Creative Commons CCMixter license.] - Virginia ranks 12th in nation for caregivers
Virginia ranks 12th in the nation in the number of people caring for relatives, with nearly 700,000 Virginians serving as the primary caregiver for a relative. In total, there are more than one million unpaid caregivers within the Commonwealth. Nine Virginians recently received the Governor's Caregiver Recognition Award. Governor Tim Kaine comments on the importance of caregivers. [Music: Mactonite - Days of April (Part 1) and Teru - Funky Theme. All music is made possi