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Wythe County CPMT adopts strategic plan, policy updates and approves $92,377 in CSA services
Summary
The Wythe County Community Policy & Management Team unanimously approved a CPMT Strategic Plan, amended local policies to align with OCS Memo 26‑04, accepted Mount Rogers Community Services’ appointments and authorized $92,377.62 in CSA services for May and $14,666.51 in non‑FAPT April expenditures.
The Wythe County Community Policy & Management Team met May 26, 2026, and unanimously approved a new CPMT Strategic Plan, several policy amendments prompted by OCS guidance, and monthly service expenditures totaling $92,377.62.
Chair Kimberly Ayers opened the meeting and, during a review of utilization and financial trends, reported there are 52 children in foster care. Coordinator Blankenbeckler told the Team that foster‑care categories increased year‑over‑year and that local match funding for April 2026 rose by about $27,500 compared with April 2025. Team members reviewed OCS data and a caseload snapshot showing 38 DSS foster children, 16 special education students, 11 foster‑care‑prevention cases, three parental placements and 13 youth in residential placements.
On matters of governance, the Team unanimously approved the CPMT Strategic Plan on a motion by Stephen Bear, seconded by Diane Charapich. The Team also reviewed OCS Administrative Memo 26‑04 and unanimously voted (motion by Billy Rice, second by Anthony Cline) to amend the local records and policy language to comply with the memo’s requirements. The Coordinator reported that the Documentation of CHINS Eligibility Form has been used locally since July 2025 and was directed to add confirmatory language about the form to local eligibility policy.
Coordinator Blankenbeckler reported he submitted the VJCCCA Program Plan for the 2027–2028 biennium prior to the April 1 deadline and that Katherine Farmer returned a few non‑budget questions to which the Coordinator has replied. The Team was told MOAs for a local position and the community service program were signed by CSU Director Cheeks; Stephen Bear will present those MOAs to the Board of Supervisors in June.
Financial actions included Mr. Bear’s report that Wythe County approved an additional $200,000 in local match funds to support CSA for the remainder of the fiscal year. The Team reviewed and unanimously approved appointments from Mount Rogers Community Services naming Samantha Crockett as the agency’s CPMT representative and Rebecca Martel as alternate (motion by Vicky Richardson, second by Stephen Bear).
The Team moved into closed session to discuss confidential client information under §2.2‑3711(A)(4) of the Code of Virginia and later reconvened and adopted the required certification that only matters lawfully exempted from open meetings were discussed.
After reconvening, the Team reviewed a list of FAPT‑recommended services for May and voted to approve itemized services—including residential education, intensive care coordination, parent reunification and psychological evaluations—totaling $92,377.62. The vote was recorded with ayes from Kimberly Ayers, Diane Charapich, Shannon Vaught, Stephen Bear, Vicky Richardson, Anthony Cline and Billy Rice; no nays or abstentions were recorded and one member (Lacey Canterbury) was absent. The Team also approved non‑FAPT expenditures of $14,666.51 for April covering basic and enhanced foster care maintenance, one independent living maintenance case and supplemental clothing for a foster child.
Chair Ayers closed the meeting with reminders that DSS continues to recruit foster parents and that the Team’s next meeting is scheduled for June 23, 2026.
