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County presents street-outreach data and advertising campaign metrics as panhandling spikes in warm months
Summary
Social services described outreach to 78 people identified as panhandling (31 non-homeless, 47 homeless) and recommended expanding street-outreach staffing; communications reported a paid media campaign that produced high video-completion rates and nearly 690,000 streaming impressions.
Prince William County social-services staff reported data from a street-outreach pilot and communications staff described results from a paid public-awareness campaign called “Give Where It Counts.” Officials said outreach and communications together are intended to reduce direct giving to panhandlers and connect people to services.
Phyllis Janice Holt, Director of Social Services, said the county’s street outreach team consists of three staff (the team was recently increased from one worker and the department requested two temporary positions for FY 2026 so the roles can become permanent). Holt said the team responds to reports of panhandling and attempts to connect people to shelter, benefits and treatment; constituents can report panhandling concerns by calling (703) 792‑3939 or emailing pwcpanhandling@pwcgov.org.
Holt said that between the period covered in the presentation (start June 1 to April 15 as used in material for the briefing) outreach staff engaged 78 individuals:…
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