State Board of Social Services FAQs

Meetings are held in February, April, June, August, October and December. The Board sets
their meeting schedule in October each year.

Board meetings may be held throughout the various regions of the Commonwealth, but typically near the Richmond area. This may vary, however, and the public should check meeting notices for locations, as discussed in #3 below. 

Meeting notices and agendas are posted at least seven days prior to the meeting date in the
following locations:

• Commonwealth Calendar
• Regulatory Town Hall
• Department of Social Services

The State Board of Social Services provides for a public comment period at every meeting. It generally begins at 1:30 on the first day of the meeting, but check the meeting agenda prior to the meeting day to confirm the exact time. 

The State Board generally allows each speaker five minutes. Either in or near the meeting room, you will see a sign-in table for members of the public who wish to speak. The sign-in sheet will request your name, address and the topic on which you plan to speak. Upon calling the meeting to order and opening the public comment period, the State Board chair will call each speaker by name. When called, you would be asked to approach the podium and deliver your comments. A timer is used and will signal the end of your allowed time. You may also provide your comments in writing to the Board Clerk at the conclusion of your oral comments. 

Comments can be sent to the Board via email at state.board@dss.virginia.gov, and by U.S. Mail to State Board of Social Services, 804 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219.

The Virginia Regulatory Town Hall is the comprehensive source of information about proposed changes to Virginia’s regulations. This site also facilitates public participation through online comment forums and an email notification service. The Virginia Regulatory
Town Hall is accessed at http://www.townhall.virginia.gov/index.cfm.

Please note:

• Public comments on State Board of Social Services regulatory actions posted to the Regulatory Town Hall are communicated to the State Board of Social Services.
• The Regulatory Town Hall site is maintained by the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget and covers regulatory activities of multiple bodies and state agencies. 

This information is available at the Department of Social Services’ website. Minutes are also available at the Regulatory Town Hall and on the Commonwealth Calendar (see #3 above for web addresses).