In conjunction with Virginia Division of Social Services and Division of Child Support Enforcement, The Virginia Paternity Establishment Program works closely with the birth registrars of each birthing hospital by providing training and education of our program. The program also provides education and outreach to parents and a variety of partners in the state of Virginia. Provides information on how to establish paternity if the parents are unmarried at the time of the child's birth. The biological father's name cannot appear on the birth certificate unless the parents complete the Acknowledgment of Paternity form. Hospitals are required to assist parents with completing the form at the time of birth at no cost as part of the child's birth registration. For further assistance, please telephone: 1.866.398.4841 or 804.285.5826 Unmarried parents can sign a form called the Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) prior to discharge from the hospital. This is a no cost at the hospital. Unmarried parents are provided a simple and convenient method in Virginia to place the father's name on the child's birth certificate. Minors do not need parental permission to voluntarily establish paternity in the Commonwealth of Virginia. You do not need to be a US citizen to sign this form and your information is confidential. Signing an AOP form does not affect benefits such as TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) or Medicaid. Paternity establishment and custody are two separate issues. Under most circumstances, when unmarried parents have a child the child lives with the mother and she maintains legal custody. Either parent may seek visitation rights through the Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court system in the county in which the custodial parent resides. In the Commonwealth of Virginia, you may name your child anything you like regardless of your marital status. You will need a current proof of identification as the AOP form must be notarized to complete the process.

The Refugee Resettlement program welcomes refugees, empowering people escaping persecution to begin new lives with dignity through early self-sufficiency. CCC strives to help these newcomers as they transition into our society while also fostering a community climate of acceptance for persons of different cultures. Services include orientation, employment, case management, English as a Second Language classes, school liaison services, medical liaison services and housing.

The Women's Resource Center provides justice related assistance to individuals experiencing sexual and domestic violence. All assistance through the Legal Advocacy Program is free and confidential. Services include: Information and assistance related to protective orders Assistance in filing paperwork related to custody, visitation, or child support Assistance in filing paperwork for criminal warrants Accompaniment to interviews with law enforcement or to the Commonwealth's Attorney Court preparation assistance Assistance in filing for Legal Aid Representation Assistance in completing paperwork for the Virginia Victims Fund Information and referral to other agencies and resources in the New River Valley

Provides advocacy and support for victims of domestic violence. Call the Victim/Witness Program if: *for questions about your role as a witness; *would like an explanation of court procedures or a courtroom tour before you testify; *want assistance filing for victims' compensation; *need a referral to social services agencies that provide emergency financial assistance; *would like someone to escort you to court; *have received crime related threats or harassment; *need information regarding the status of your case; *want a referral to legal aid. If you are the victim of a crime you may be entitled to the following: *PROTECTION: separate waiting area while your case is being heard. *FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: prompt return of property being held as evidence as the conclusion of the case and information about filing for Crime Victims' Compensation. *NOTIFICATION: employer contact to ensure that you are excused from work while appearing in court as a victim or witness. Case status and disposition information about your case. Notification from a local jail or the penitentiary of the convicted assailant's release or name change. Notification from the Attorney General's Office of an appeal being granted (All upon written request which can be accomplished through the Victim/Witness Program) without cost to you. *VICTIM INPUT: submission of a victim impact statement after defendant's conviction. Ability to remain in court during your case, unless excluded as a material witness or by order of the court. *COURTROOM ASSISTANCE: confidentiality of your address, phone number and place of employment (on request). Provision of an interpreter during court proceedings. *RESTITUTION: the defendant can be ordered by the court to pay a restitution to the victim of the crime. If the victim has had medical costs, damage or loss resulting from an offense, the court may order the victim be reimbursed by the defendant.

disAbility Resource Center teach consumers how to make their voices heard by assisting people with disabilities to understand their rights and responsibilities and advocate at the local, state, and federal levels. Additiional Languages Spoken, DARI & FARSI.

Family Advocacy promote healthy military family development through the prevention, identification, and treatment of intimate partner violence and child abuse and neglect. As well as assisting commands in support of the involved service members and families. FAP stresses early intervention and education to protect victims and increase family competencies. Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline (Virginia): (800) 552-7096 National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-7233 Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline (Out of State): (804) 786-8536 24 Hour Victim Advocacy Helpline: (703) 350-1688

American Diabetes Association advocate for policy change in every state across the country to improve health care access, coverage, and affordability; support healthy diets; and address health barriers to ensure the needs of these communities are met.

To disrupt the cycle of child abuse, neglect and poverty in Virginia - strengthening families two generations at a time. The service area is the entire state and the customer base includes community groups, churches, public and private agencies, policy makers, our affiliate network, the business community, volunteers, students, schools, parents under stress and citizens concerned about child abuse and neglect.

NTSAD advocates for families and persons of all ages with disabilities on an individual, state and national level as requested on issues such as health insurance coverage and government (supplemental) funding.

Virginia Birth Father Registry (VBFR), formerly known as the Virginia Putative Father Registry, is a confidential database maintained by the Virginia Department of Social Services that protects the rights of unmarried men (and their relatives) to children they may have (un)knowingly fathered. By voluntarily registering with VBFR within 10 days after child's birth, a putative father can protect his rights to his child(ren) and be notified in the event his child is placed for adoption or placed into foster care. The VBFR does not establish paternity. Registration may be used to help establish paternity but does not start the legal process.

Family Equality Council works to ensure equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ) families by building community, changing hearts and minds and advancing social justice for all families.

The Fairfax County Domestic Violence Action Center (DVAC) was created to provide culturally responsive information and support services for victims of domestic violence and stalking, and their families, as well as to promote the accountability of offenders of these crimes through specialized prosecution and offender supervision. Includes crisis intervention, safety planning, options counseling, assistance with protective orders, court accompaniment, and specialized housing and economic education.

Provides assistance to veterans, widows and dependent children in filing disability compensation and pension claims through the United States and Virginia Departments of Veterans Affairs. Provides multiple programs to assist veterans and their families. Call for more information about a wide variety of services.

Works to end the criminalization of poverty in Virginia by exposing and addressing criminal legal system policies that target people because of poverty and race. Through a mix of community organizing, local and statewide policy advocacy, and litigation, our program intervenes at many points in the criminal legal system. Our campaigns range from initial law enforcement contact in the community, through the courts, to individuals' confinement in Virginia's jails and prisons, and finally to their reentry into the community.

Provides direct support to individuals and families who are victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault (primarily adult victims but including the non-offending parent in child abuse cases) by providing crisis intervention, education and resources, ensuring victim safety, pre-trial, trial and post-trial support, promoting healthy family interactions and reducing risk factors to family maltreatment.

To fill critical gaps in services for victims of crime through direct service programs and professional support of victim advocates and organizations.

MHAV works to increase public awareness, decrease stigma and keep mental health issues on the forefront of policy and legislative agendas.

Provides crisis intervention and court accompaniment throughout the prosecution process; will provide an update on the status of the pending criminal case; are available to explain the prosecution procedure (i.e. what is expected of the victim, and what the victim may expect); will address safety concerns of the victim and will work with employer or school to advocate for the victim; assist with victim compensation. Victim(s) or witnesses(es) need to contact this office if telephone or address changes.

Offers information and referrals for infants, children and adults with or at risk of intellectual or developmental disabilities. The Arc works to provide resources that aid in the education and care of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and will provide advocacy if needed.

Provides the following services for witnesses and victims: Answer questions about witness roles, explain court procedures, assist in filing for compensation, aid in finding community service agencies, recover personal property being held for evidence in a timely manner, keep victims informed regarding the status of the case.

To prevent, reduce, and end homelessness by facilitating creative solutions through the collaboration, coordination, and cooperation of regional resources and services. ***DO NOT direct people looking for services or assistance to our office - instead please direct them to the Homeless Connection Line.***

Provides services to visually impaired citizens. Services include counseling, teaching, advocacy, low vision services and job placement assistance. Information available in Braille and Large print upon request. Programs include Rehabilitation Teaching/Independent Living, Orientation and Mobility, Low Vision (20/70) and Deaf/Blind services, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Education Services

UCP provides an online resource and community, My Child Without Limits, for parents and caregivers to exchange information and to help young children with any developmental disability or delay, start achieving a life without limits at an early age.

The court advocacy program can assist with filing for immediate and long-term protective orders, provide education about the legal system, accompaniment to court hearings, and connection to legal resources. The court advocate is a trained professional who will support you throughout the process and connect you to any resources you might need. To access this service, contact our Court Advocate at [email protected] or call 804-365-3208.

Multidisciplinary Team response to child abuse victims. Team response includes the communities of Franklin County, Henry County, the City of Martinsville, and Patrick County. Members participate on the community-based teams and review active abuse and neglect cases to make certain any services needed by victims are made available. This office facilitates forensic interviews, medical and clinical assessments, victim advocacy, and comprehensive case management. In addition, the team facilitates assisting victims in filing claims with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund.