Overview & Activities

​​We are dedicated to promoting understanding, fellowship, and cooperation among Benefit Programs professionals in Virginia; to improving the quality of eligibility practices and the advancement of eligibility work as a profession; to developing effective methods of interpreting our work to the public; to helping provide skilled, family-based assistance to those who need the services we have to offer.

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    Overview...

• We are an organization that supports benefit programs staff.
• We provide unified advocacy for benefit programs, policy revisions, and for additional staff to handle growing caseloads.
• We establish a method for appointment to Home Office committees.
• We provide professional recognition and training systems.
• Our membership fees support Spring and Fall Conferences, Committee activities, Board activities and Membership benefits.

    Activities...

• Local planning districts often have guest speakers who offer information and presentations which are intended to enrich both our personal and professional lives.
• Committees include representatives from the State and provide news of impending changes, as well as insight into their impact on Benefit Programs Specialists. Benefit Programs Specialists, in turn, have the opportunity to comment on the future direction of policy.
• A biannual Legislative Day in Richmond combines workshops about current legislative issues. Benefit Programs Specialists have the opportunity to voice their concerns directly to the State lobbyists and legislators.
• Semiannual Training conferences are held with the Partnership of Office Services Support Employees (POSSESS) and the Virginia Alliance of Social Work Practitioners (VASWP); biennial conferences are held with the Virginia League of Social Services Executives (VLSSE).