City of Alexandria, Virginia
________________
MEMORANDUM
DATE: OCTOBER 7, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: KATE GARVEY, DIRECTOR,
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND HUMAN SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) Center for Economic Support Grant Award from the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS).
BODY
_________________________________________________________________
ISSUE: City Council to authorize the acceptance of a grant award from the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) to design and administer a Refugee Social Services Employment Program (RSSEP) Pilot for eligible residents. The grant period is November 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, with possible renewal.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
Authorize the acceptance of a VDSS Refugee Social Services grant award to DCHS in the amount of $500,000, for the duration of 11 months, with no match required; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents required to accept and implement the grant.
BACKGROUND: On August 5, 2026, the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) approached the Workforce Development Center (WDC) about funding to operate a work-based learning pilot program for refugee and immigrant residents. VDSS sought to partner with local Departments of Social Services on this effort. Given Alexandria's OneStop employment services, WDC's track record with work-based learning programming, and the City's sizable population of eligible residents, VDSS identified WDC as a strong partner for the pilot. VDSS also noted that recent federal funding cuts to resettlement agencies have narrowed those agencies' focus to their core roles, positioning workforce one-stops such as WDC to take on a larger share of employment and training support for this population.
On September 8, VDSS confirmed that WDC...
Click here for full text