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 FY 2002 and lead agency for the regional grant since FY 2003.  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.

General Fund: 
            Increase DSS Revenues                                             $ 177,100
            Increase DSS FY 2019 Budget                                   $   37,750

            Increase Transfer to Schools                                       $139,350 

  School Operating Fund:

            Increase Transfer from General Fund                         $139,350

            Increase Schools’ FY 2019 Instruction Budget            $139,350

Gail Crooks, Director of Social Services

 Susan Hahn, Bridges Project Manager

 Annette D’Alessandro, Grants Manager

Since July of 2016, 97 individuals have entered employment at an average hourly wage of $11.00 per hour, and 45 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 125 students have attended 5,480 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.