QUESTION AND ANSWER ABOUT OUR NEW MULTICULTURAL HUMAN SERVICES

What is happening between these two organizations?
Northern Virginia Family Service is assuming responsibility for the services previously provided by the Center for Multicultural Human Services (CMHS) as of April 1, 2008.

Who is CMHS?
CMHS is a social services agency that has been operating in Northern Virginia for over 25 years. CMHS has built a staff that has language abilities in over 30 languages, and is a leader in delivering social services to the multicultural population of Northern Virginia.

What types of services did CMHS offer?
Similar to NVFS, the offerings of CMHS included housing and domestic violence programs, school-based enrichment programs, mental health, and an extensive volunteer program. CMHS also specialized in delivering services to victims of torture and refugees from war-torn areas of the world. In addition to these services, CMHS provided job training and technical assistance to other social services agencies doing similar work in the multicultural environment.

Will all of these programs continue under NVFS?
NVFS has agreed to assume responsibility for all the services previously provided by CMHS. The synergy between our programs will allow us to find new and more efficient ways of reaching the multicultural community in Northern Virginia. The services are vital to the Northern Virginia community, and NVFS will work hard to ensure that the programs are all represented within this new framework. NVFS hopes to continue delivering all of these services to the community with as little interruption as possible.

Why has NVFS assumed these new services?
The work of CMHS in the community has made a tangible and lasting difference for many thousands of clients. However, the organization had come up against some significant obstacles. NVFS responded to a request to provide the strong administrative environment where the services could thrive. We hope that under our stewardship, these programs will find a stronger support base and will reach an even broader population.

Will the office of CMHS be closed, and will the services move?
NVFS will occupy CMHS' office in Falls Church and continue to deliver the same services with the same staff.