✉️ VDOE Readiness Connections Update: January 30, 2024

Virginia Department of Social Service, Office of Background Investigations (OBI) has Moved   

Effective January 10, 2024, the Virginia Department of Social Services, Office of Background Investigations moved physical locations. Please update and use the new address formatting below for manual submissions of central registry search requests and any other correspondence sent through the United States Postal Service: 

Virginia Department of Social Services
Office of Background Investigations
5600 Cox Road, 2nd Floor
Glen Allen, VA 23060 

General Reminders and Updates from the Office of Background Investigations (OBI) 

1. All correspondence regarding central registry search (CRS) request submissions or Portability requests should be directed to: crs_operations@dss.virginia.gov.  When seeking the status of a CRS search request or Portability request, please allow sufficient time for receipt and processing.
2. If you have submitted a request through the OBI web-based portal and have questions or need to check the status, provide the full name of the applicant, the name of the requesting agency, and a copy of the receipt you received for payment.
3. If you have submitted a request to OBI using the postal service and have questions or need to check the status, provide the full name of the applicant, the name of the requesting agency, the check/money order number, and the date mailed.
4. All CRS Billing Account Inquiries should be submitted to: crs_billing@dss.virginia.gov. Reconciliation of accounts is in progress as the billing option has ended for all billed agencies.
5. The Criminal Background Investigation Unit (Fingerprints) continues to operate as normal and without delay.  All correspondence should be submitted to: backgrounds@dss.virginia.gov.    

 
Reminders for Successful Central Registry Search (CRS) Requests and Portability Submissions: 

The Central Registry Search (CRS) team continues to process requests within the mandated 10 business days. In order to better serve providers and facilities, should you experience an issue with the submission process, please contact the Office of Background Investigations (OBI) immediately using the crs_operations@dss.virginia.gov email address. Be sure to provide specific details about your issue, how you are attempting to submit your request, and your current contact information. This allows OBI to track inquiries and be prepared when responding.  

Portability requests MUST meet all mandated requirements to be processed successfully. Portability requests will result in two determination letters: one for the criminal background and another for the central registry. If a request is denied approval for portability, new central registry and/or criminal background requests will be required, as applicable. REMINDER:  All payments are non-refundable, so it is important to understand the purpose and requirements of portability before you make a request. Refer to the portability flow chart to determine if portability is right for you. OBI is available to answer your questions and assist in the process as listed above.

VPI Proposed Budget Updates Webinar- February 14, 12 p.m.

Please join Jenna Conway, VDOE Deputy Superintendent of Early Childhood Care and Education, for a webinar reviewing the Governor's budget proposals and the expected timeline for budget approval. VPI coordinators and other division leadership are encouraged to attend. Registration is required. Registration information was shared via email with VPI contacts. If you did not get the registration information and need to attend please contact Tiffanie Meehling. The session will be recorded and sent to all registered attendees.  

February VPI Office Hours- Special Guest Kris Meyers, Associate Director of Quality and Improvement 

VPI Coordinators are invited to join office hours on February 1 at 11 a.m. Kris Meyers, Associate Director of Quality and Improvement, will be joining to answer questions on VQB5 for the Virginia Preschool Initiative and school-based preschool coordinators. There will be no set presentation, office hours are an open time for questions and brainstorming. As with all office hours, registration is required. 

Fiscal Year 25 (24/25 School Year) VPI Slot Allocations 

As shared in the January 25 Virginia Education Update Newsletter, the VDOE Division of Budget and Finance has released the planning templates and budget information related to the Governor’s amended FY 2024 budget and introduced 2024-2026 biennial budget. This included the initial VPI slot allocations for FY25 (school year 2024-2025). Click to download FY25 VPI Slot Allocations. School divisions must confirm their VPI participation via the VPI Spring Application in SSWS starting in April (more information coming soon). Additional 4-year-old slots, as well as 3-year-old slots, can be requested via this application. 

An Overview of Language Assessment Tools for Young Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing - February 7

This virtual presentation by Wanda Council, VDOE Specialist for Sensory Disabilities, Tracey Yurechko, Project Director of the Technical Assistance Center for Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Robin Bliven, Director of Outreach Services, Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, will provide an overview of language evaluation and assessment tools that can be used to assess the receptive and expressive language development of children ages birth-five who are deaf and hard of hearing. 

• Presentation: An Overview of Language Assessment Tools for Young Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing 
• Date: February 7, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. 

New Resources to Support Itinerant Early Childhood Special Education Service Delivery Model 

Itinerant Early Childhood Special Education (IECSE) teachers provide special education services for young children with disabilities in early childhood care and education (ECCE) settings such as Virginia Preschool Initiative, Head Start, Mixed Delivery, child care, and community-based preschool programs. The VDOE has developed two flyers for itinerant teachers to share to help others understand this collaborative service delivery model; one is for families, while the other is for the general education partner. 

• Meeting Your Child’s Special Needs in an Early Childhood Program Flyer for Families 
• Early Childhood Educators Partnering to Meet a Child’s Special Needs Flyer for General Education Partners

Spring Local CLASS Observation Window Starts this Week! 

The spring local CLASS observation window opened on January 22 and runs through May 31. Every classroom participating in VQB5 will need to complete a local CLASS observation during the spring window. VQB5 sites will also need to participate in external CLASS observations. Information and resources related to VQB5 CLASS observations are listed below. 

• Overview of CLASS in VQB5 (Spanish) 
• VDOE Local Observation Guidebook. 
• Local Observation FAQs – January 2024 

Local Observer Spring Refresher Webinar - February 6

On February 6, VDOE will host a spring refresher webinar for all VQB5 local CLASS observers. During this webinar we will review local observation protocols and FAQs to help observers prepare for spring observations. Information about how to use fall score replacement information to strengthen observations skills will also be shared. 

• Webinar: Local Observer Spring Refresher 
• Date: February 6 at 2:00 p.m. 
• Register