Children's Services Act (CSA)

What is the CSA?

The Children's Services Act (CSA), enacted in 1993, established a single state pool of funds to purchase services for at-risk youth and their families. State and local agencies, parents and private providers work collaboratively to ensure that families and youth receive the necessary services to be successful.

The purpose of this law is to establish a collaborative system of services and funding that is child-centered, family-focused, and community-based when addressing the strengths and needs of troubled and at-risk youths and their families in the Commonwealth (Virginia Acts of the Assembly, Chapter 880, Section 2.5-745). Visit the Children's Services Act website for more information.

Local Community Practice Model

Mission & Vision Statement

To provide a system of care that is child-centered, family-focused, and community-based to address the strengths and needs of at-risk children and their families in the least restrictive environment.

The City of Norfolk is committed to the innovative and flexible provision of services through a collaborative process that includes city agencies and local providers to bring together the resources, skills, and programs needed to ensure that children are living in a safe, permanent, and caring environment.

The Norfolk Children's Services Act Office is guided by the following principles:

  • Commitment to the safety of children, their families, and the community in which we live
  • Ensure that the services provided to all children and their families are supportive and will provide them with the necessary tools to succeed in the community to the fullest extent of their abilities
  • Ensure that the needs of children and their families will be served by the least restrictive means and the families will participate in the decision-making process
  • Families should remain intact when practicable and the issues of the children will be addressed within the context of the family unit
  • Services will be community-based and children will be placed outside of the community only when it is in the best interest of the children and all less restrictive options have been explored
  • All contributing agencies will work collaboratively, both with each other and with the family, to ensure the success of the children in benefiting from these services.

Our Partnering Agencies

The following entities are represented on each FAPT and RRB team: