Spotsylvania Department of Social Services (DSS) has been the grant recipient of the (Bridge to the Future Grant) Employment Advancement for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Participants Program Grant since FY02 and lead agency for the regional grant since FY03.  The “Bridge to the Future Project,” is an inter-agency project between the Spotsylvania Department of Social Services and Spotsylvania County Schools. The project provides intensive services to TANF recipients with multiple barriers to employment, and provides intensive direct services to include the following: identifying and addressing learning and other disabilities; diagnostic services; intensive work readiness and GED preparation. The goal of the project is to assist TANF recipients in gaining and maintaining employment, and to ultimately achieve self-sufficiency, ending dependence on government assistance.  The project’s lead fiscal agent is Spotsylvania DSS, but the project provides services to the entire Planning District 16 to include the Counties of Spotsylvania, Stafford, Caroline, King George, and the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia. The project has been cited as one of the Commonwealth’s “best practices” because of its proven success rate.

DSS has been approved for funding, in the amount of $177,100 for July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018. There is no local match requirement and no requirement for the locality to continue to participate in the project beyond the grant award period.    

 General Fund: 
            Increase DSS Revenues                                           $177,100
            Increase DSS FY18 Budget                                       $  39,502

            Increase Transfer to Schools                                     $137,598 

  School Operating Fund:

            Increase Transfer from General Fund                        $137,598

            Increase Schools’ FY2018 Instruction Budget           $137,598

Gail Crooks, Director of Social Services

Susan Hahn, Bridges Project Manager

Annette D’Alessandro, Grants Manager

Since July of 2016, forty-five individuals have entered employment at an average hourly wage of $11.58 per hour, and twenty individuals have earned a workplace credential, GED or HSE (High School Equivalency Diploma,) opening training and job opportunities otherwise not accessible to this population. Over seventy students have attended 2,785 instructional hours in WES (Workplace Essential Skills), HSE (High School Equivalency), and ELL (English Language Learning.)   The Bridges Program demonstrates Spotsylvania’s regional leadership and interagency cooperation with county and school administration partnering for continued success in our efforts to prepare our citizens for good paying career paths in the 21st century.  In December 2016, the Bridges Project Manager was nominated by Germanna Community College and awarded the Virginia Community Colleges Systems 2016 award for Career Pathways. 

Funding will not be provided for Spotsylvania County clients and those of Planning District #16, hindering this region’s efforts to promote sustained self-sufficiency in individuals and families.