VISSTA's mission is to provide "the right training for the right people at the right time" Our goal is to make consistent, quality, competency-based learning opportunities readily available to human service workers in Virginia.

The Virginia Institute for Social Services Training Activities (VISSTA) is a collaborative effort among the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Social Work, Area Training Centers (ATCs) and other partnering agencies and universities.

VCU-VISSTA's educational efforts are designed to increase knowledge, build skills, and improve the effectiveness of social services staff in their day-to-day work.

VCU-VISSTA training supports the policies and philosophy of VDSS in seven program areas: Adult Services, Child Care, Child Welfare, Fraud, Domestic Violence, Employment Services, and Benefit Programs. VCU-VISSTA curricula focus on a range of skill levels - from foundation skills and basic service delivery policy to highly specialized skills required to develop an expertise in delivering specific program services. All courses and learning opportunities are based on "best practice" from across Virginia and the nation. Our products undergo regular evaluation and revision to ensure quality, relevancy, and consideration of the most current research and theory.

For more than 15 years, VCU-VISSTA has progressively planned for and met many of the training needs of those it serves while anticipating future directions. Since its inception in 1990, VCU-VISSTA has experienced significant growth in the number and type of learning opportunities developed and delivered to social services staff. VCU-VISSTA is committed to the continual strengthening of a collaborative learning system.