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Social‑services director: pending federal bill could force local cuts and more paperwork
Summary
Shannon Reed, Nottoway County’s director of social services, warned the board that proposed federal changes could reduce funding, tighten eligibility and increase administrative burdens — potentially cutting services for foster children, seniors and families.
Shannon Reed, director of the Nottoway County Department of Social Services, told the board the proposal known in her presentation as the “1 big beautiful bill” carries potential benefits but “also carries risk.” She warned that reductions or caps in federal funding could leave local governments to fill resulting gaps and that stricter eligibility rules could disqualify families who rely on food assistance, childcare subsidies and health-care coverage.
Reed said the bill could “add administrative burdens, enact new reporting requirements, and implement systems that would likely increase the volume of paperwork, case redeterminations, and other administrative functions,” diverting staff from direct service. She listed populations especially vulnerable to disruption — foster youth, seniors and people with disabilities — and urged board support if the county must respond with additional resources. “If federal funding support is reduced or capped, local governments may be left to fill the gap,” Reed said.
Board members acknowledged difficult tradeoffs in the budget and the potential need to reallocate resources if federal support declines. Reed asked residents who need help to contact the Nottoway County Department of Social Services and said the department will work to keep the board and community informed as federal actions become clearer.
