VIRGINIA

COLLABORATION THROUGH CO-LOCATION

Goal: To create and maintain a "one-stop shop" center.

Description: The Manassas District Office of Child Support Enforcement has a separate unit that manages IV-A cases. The office serves Prince William, Fauquier and Rappahannock counties and includes the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. Child Support workers are co-located in the IV-A offices to better serve the customer.

In 1999, the Manassas District Office was asked by the IV-A Director of Fauquier County to participate in the creation and on-going development of a one-stop shop in Fauquier County. The center opened April 2000 to provide services such as: job postings, career development information, internet access to career and employment resources, education and training classes and information, copy and fax machines, telephones, employment mentors and multi-agency services.

Services that meet regularly with customers at the center are:

• Department of Social Services - IV-A
• Division of Child Support
• Department of Rehabilitative Services
• Literacy Volunteers
• Fauquier Family Guidance
• Fauquier Community Action - HUD vouchers
• Independence Empowerment
• Virginia Employment Commission
• SAFE - Services to Abused Families
• SAVVI - Sexual Assault Victims Volunteer Initiative

Circuit Rider,which is a shuttle bus service operating in the community, has its dispatcher's office in the one-stop shop center. Customers who find a job, but do not have transportation, can make daily commuting arrangements with the Circuit Rider.

Results: The center provides a central location where customers can meet with representatives who provide many of the service they need. Having a child support worker in the community ensures the visibility of the IV-D agency and provides better customer service to the community. Co-locating with IV-A, and especially at the one-stop shop center has improved the information flow between agencies and customers; enabling each agency to better meet their program goals. Customers are more comfortable working with the IV-D agency because it is more accessible.

Location: The Manassas District Office in Prince William County and Fauquier County. Prince William is suburban and Fauquier is a combination of suburban and rural.

Funding: The Manassas District Office of CSE supplies the furniture and equipment for the workers and IV-A provides the space.

Replication Advice: Close and open coordination with the local department of social services directors.

Contacts:

Nancy Hill

Manassas District Office

Phone: (703) 530-7200

Email: nvn978@dcse.dss.state.va.us

Barbara Nye

Fauquier County

(540) 341-0209

Email: bvn978@dcse.dss.state.va.us