Virginia Administrative Code › Title 22 - SOCIAL SERVICES › Agency 40 - DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES › Chapter 910 - GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR MAINTAINING AND DISCLOSING CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT, AND SOCIAL SERVICES RECORD › Section 22VAC40-910-10 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 24, July 15, 2024
The following words and terms when used in this chapter will
				  have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Agency" means a local department of social services.
"Agent" means any individual authorized to act on behalf of
				  or under the direction of the Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social
				  Services or State Board of Social Services for the sole purpose of accessing
				  confidential client records in the administration of public assistance, child
				  support enforcement, or social services programs.
"Client" means any applicant for or recipient of public
				  assistance or social services or any individual about whom the child support
				  enforcement division maintains information.
"Client record" or "client information" means any identifying
				  or nonidentifying information, including information stored in computer data
				  banks or computer files relating to a client.
"Department" means the Virginia Department of Social
				  Services.
"Human research" means any formal and structured evaluation
				  involving individuals in a special project, program, or study.
"Legally responsible person" means
(i) the biological or adoptive parent or
				other relative with whom the child primarily resides and who has legal custody
				of the child;
(ii) the biological
				or adoptive parent with whom the child does not primarily reside and who has
				legal custody of the child; or
(iii) a committee or guardian appointed by a
				court to represent the interest of a client.
"Near fatality" means an act that, as certified by a
				  physician, places the child in serious or critical condition. Serious or
				  critical condition is a life-threatening condition or injury.
"Provider" means any person, agency or organization providing
				  public assistance, child support enforcement services, or social services
				  through a contract or an agreement with the department or agency.
"Public assistance" means Temporary Assistance for Needy
				  Families (TANF); auxiliary grants to the aged, blind and disabled; medical
				  assistance; energy assistance; food stamps; employment services; child care;
				  and general relief.
"Research" means a systematic investigation, including
				  research development, testing, and evaluation, designed to develop or
				  contribute to general knowledge related to specific programs, including
				  research for the development of new knowledge or techniques that would be
				  useful in the administration of public assistance, child support enforcement,
				  or social services programs.
"Social services program" means foster care, adoption,
				  adoption assistance, adult services, adult protective services, child
				  protective services, domestic violence services, family preservation, or any
				  other services program implemented in accordance with regulations promulgated
				  by the State Board of Social Services.
Statutory Authority: § 63.2-217 of the Code of
					 Virginia.