Virginia Coalition of Private Provider Associations

Mission

Our mission is to serve as the unified voice for private providers to advocate for a quality system of services for children and families with special needs and challenges.

Vision

We envision a child and family advocacy coalition that is a collective voice, which promotes and effects change related to issues impacting these children and families in Virginia.

Values

We value a system of care for children and families with special needs and challenges that is:

• An active partnership of the public and private sectors
• Fully funded in order to adequately meet current and future needs for these children and families
• A consumer friendly environment that encourages and supports parental involvement and open dialogue
• Based on data and outcomes which stress accountability, productivity and success

Historical Overview

In 1994-95 it became obvious that public policy concerning children and families was taking a new direction with little organized input from the private sector. There were individuals and associations who were active, but there was no common "voice" representing the private providers and the children we serve. Ron Herring, CEO of Lutheran Family Services, recognized the need for providers to come together in a unified force to impact public policy and advocate for the children and families we serve. In the spring of 1995, Ron organized an exploratory meeting, inviting representatives from all associations in the Commonwealth who worked with children funded through the Comprehensive Services Act (CSA). At that first meeting, a decision was made to formalize the group into a coalition of associations. The Virginia Coalition of Private Provider Associations (VCOPPA) was developed.

The group focused on developing relationships with governing agencies in order to have a voice in policy development and funding trends. Input was given at the state level regarding the implementation of Virginia’s CSA, availability of Medicaid as a funding source, and other issues regarding services for children and their families. Also in 1995, the Northern Virginia Coalition of Private Provider Associations (NOVACO) was formed with a mission similar to VCOPPA’s but focused on local issues in Northern Virginia. Since then, three additional regional coalitions have been formed: the Southeast Virginia Coalition (SEVACO), the Capitol Area Coalition (CACPPA), and the Central Virginia Coalition (CVCOPPA). These coalitions work within their localities to address issues at a local level.

In 1998, Advisory Opinions, a Richmond firm, was hired to manage the day-to-day administrative affairs of the Coalition as well as represent the group in legislative matters. Shortly thereafter, the Coalition undertook an extensive strategic planning process, resulting in identifying the group’s mission as "to serve as the unified voice for private providers to advocate for a quality system of services for children and families with special needs and challenges."

The Coalition has established two committees to assist in carrying out this mission:

• Governmental Affairs Committee was established to create and implement a broad based legislative agenda, to develop a well-defined platform and to increase representation on and relationships with statewide entities.
• Membership Committee was established to develop an effective process for obtaining input and disseminating information among Coalition members on issues of importance and attend to relationships between the Coalition, its constituent associations, their member agencies, and the regional coalitions.

The Virginia Coalition of Private Provider Associations has become a recognized and respected voice at both the state and local levels. From speaking before the Virginia State Legislature on issues of importance to providers and those they serve, to hosting local luncheons for private providers and local governmental agencies, VCOPPA has remained active and influential in furthering the availability of services for Virginia’s children and families.

The Coalition currently consists of five member associations:

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Contact VCOPPA

Virginia Coalition of Private Provider Associations
919 East Main Street, Suite 1150
Richmond, VA 23219

Phone: (804) 643-2776

Contact: Matthew P. Stanley

Email: mstanley@elwood-consulting.com