MCLE Credits: 1.0 Ethics Credits Included: 0.0
A pre-recorded streaming VIDEO replay of one session from the September 2019 live seminar, Child Welfare System Change: Implementing the Family First Prevention Services Act in Virginia.
In this session, Carl Ayers, Director, Division of Family Services, Virginia Department of Social Services, provides an overview and strategic priorities of the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) - the most extensive change in the use of federal funding to drive our child welfare system in the past 40 years.
Topics covered include:
FACULTY
Carl Ayers, Director, Division of Family Services, Virginia Department of Social Services / Richmond MODERATOR Sandra L. Karison, Director, Court Improvement Program, Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia / Richmond
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Carl Ayers joined the Virginia Department of Social Services as the Director of the Division of Family Services in July 2014. The Division of Family Services is responsible for the supervision of the Child Protective Services, Foster Care, Adoption, Prevention Services, and Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance and Title IV-E programs for Virginia. Prior to joining the Virginia Department of Social Services, Carl held a number of positions with local departments of social services. Most recently, he served as the Director of the Floyd County Department of Social Services from 2004-2014.
During his time as a local director, Carl served in many capacities through the Virginia League of Social Service Executives (VLSSE), serving as President of the VLSSE from 2012 to 2014.
Presently, Carl serves as Chair of the Interagency Partnership to Prevent and End Youth Homelessness and is on the Executive Committee for the National Association of Public Child Welfare Administrators among numerous other leadership roles. Throughout his nearly 20 years of experience in the child welfare system, he has held a variety of leadership positions at both the local and state levels. Carl holds a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Radford University and is a graduate of the Virginia Executive Institute as well as the Commonwealth Management Institute.
Sandra L. Karison is Director of the Court Improvement Program in the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia, where she develops and facilitates the integration of procedures and best practices for court cases involving juvenile and family law. A particular focus for the program is on improving the court system’s ability to manage and resolve cases involving child abuse, neglect, foster care, and permanency planning for dependent children under state and federal laws and policies. This work is facilitated by a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grant first awarded to Virginia in February 1995. Ms. Karison also supports implementation of Judicial Council of Virginia standards for guardians ad litem for children and incapacitated adults.
Previously, Ms. Karison served as Assistant Director of Legal Research in the Office of the Executive Secretary, as Staff Attorney for the Court Improvement Program, and as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Richmond representing the Richmond Department of Social Services and Children’s Services Act office. She also has worked for Rappahannock Legal Services and in private practice, where she served as guardian ad litem for children and incapacitated adults.
Ms. Karison is a graduate of the University of Virginia. She earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Richmond School of Law.