Va. Code » Title 16.1. Courts Not of Record » Chapter 11. Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts » Article 9. Disposition
Virginia Code

Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-278 (2026)

Cooperation of certain agencies, officials, institutions and associations

✓ current as of May 2026
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A. The judge may order, after notice and opportunity to be heard, any state, county or municipal officer or employee or any governmental agency or other governmental institution to render only such information, assistance, services and cooperation as may be provided for by state or federal law or an ordinance of any city, county or town.

The officer, employee, agency or institution may appeal such order to the circuit court in accordance with § 16.1-296. The circuit court shall advance such appeals on its docket and may stay the order of the juvenile court during the pendency of the appeal. The circuit court may affirm or reverse the order of the juvenile court. Upon reversal, the circuit court may remand the case to the juvenile court for an alternative disposition.

B. The court is authorized to cooperate with and make use of the services of all public or private societies or organizations which seek to protect or aid children or families, in order that the court may be assisted in giving the children and families within its jurisdiction such care, protection and assistance as will best enhance their welfare.

Code 1950, § 16.1-156; 1956, c. 555; 1977, c. 559; 1980, c. 245.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 23 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1987–2022 · leading case: Adam H. Fox v. Jessica C. Fox, 734 S.E.2d 662 (Va. Ct. App. 2012).
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Adam H. Fox v. Jessica C. Fox, 734 S.E.2d 662 (Va. Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 2× “Such other factors, including the tax consequences to each party, as are necessary to consider the equities between the parties.”
Amin v. Cnty. of Henrico, 755 S.E.2d 482 (Va. Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 2× “9 (Code of Virginia, § 16.1-278 et seq.) except those provisions and requirements the violation of which constitutes a felony, and except those provisions and requirements which by their very nature can have no application to or within the county, are hereby adopted and…”
Patricia Blevins v. Prince William Cnty. Dep't of Soc. Servs., 733 S.E.2d 674 (Va. Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 2× “2, the court may (1) enter an order under Code § 16.1-278 and order that services be provided for the child; (2) permit the child to remain with his parent, subject to conditions and limitations the court may order with respect to the child, his parent, or another adult who…”
Woody v. Commonwealth, 670 S.E.2d 39 (Va. Ct. App. 2008). “1 of the Code of Virginia (Code of Virginia, § 16.1-278 et seq.), and in Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 18.”
Fauquier Co. Dept. Soc. Serv. v. Robinson, 455 S.E.2d 734 (Va. Ct. App. 1995). · cites it 8× “On December 2, 1993, after the termination of services, the parents petitioned the Fauquier County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (J & DR court) to order a residential treatment placement for their daughter pursuant to Code §§ 16.1-278(A) [3] and 2.1-757(E). [4]…”
Fauquier Cnty. Dep't of Soc. Servs. v. Robinson, 455 S.E.2d 734 (Va. Ct. App. 1995). · cites it 8× “On December 2, 1993, after the termination of services, the parents petitioned the Fauquier County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (J & DR court) to order a residential treatment placement for their daughter pursuant to Code §§ 16.1-278(A) 3 and 2.1-757(E). 4 On…”
Tariq Rashad Amin v. Cnty. of Henrico, 733 S.E.2d 661 (Va. Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 2× “9 (Code of Virginia, § 16.1-278 et seq.) except those provisions and requirements the violation of which constitutes a felony, and except those provisions and requirements which by their very nature can have no application to or within the county, are hereby adopted and…”
Salvatierra v. City of Falls Church, 546 S.E.2d 214 (Va. Ct. App. 2001). · cites it 2× “In order to constitute a Class 1 misdemeanor, an offense must be punishable, if committed by an adult, by up to twelve months in jail and a fine of not more than $2,500.”
Edwards v. Cnty. of Arlington, 361 S.E.2d 644 (Va. Ct. App. 1987). “Enter an order pursuant to the provisions of § 16.1-278. 2. Permit the child to remain with his or her parent, guardian, legal custodian or other person standing in loco parentis subject to such conditions and limitations as the court may order with respect to such child, and…”
S.G. v. Prince William Cnty. Dep't of Soc. Servs., 488 S.E.2d 653 (Va. Ct. App. 1997). · cites it 2× “Thus, the juvenile court judge's order directing the probation office to refer the case to a FAPT was authorized by law.”
Commonwealth v. Rivera, 442 S.E.2d 410 (Va. Ct. App. 1994). “1-188), provides: Ordinances enacted by local authorities pursuant to this article may incorporate appropriate provisions of this title, of Article 9 (§ 16.1-278 et seq.) of Chapter 11 of Title 16.”
Comprehensive Servs. Act Off., etc v. J. M. (Va. Ct. App. 1999). · cites it 15× “argues, inter alia, that the CSA’s appeal was limited by Code § 16.1-278 to “what the court specifically ordered with respect to that agency.”
Show all 23 citing cases →
— Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-278(A) — 5 cases
Fauquier Co. Dept. Soc. Serv. v. Robinson, 455 S.E.2d 734 (Va. Ct. App. 1995). “On December 2, 1993, after the termination of services, the parents petitioned the Fauquier County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (J & DR court) to order a residential treatment placement for their daughter pursuant to Code §§ 16.1-278(A) [3] and 2.1-757(E). [4]…”
Fauquier Cnty. Dep't of Soc. Servs. v. Robinson, 455 S.E.2d 734 (Va. Ct. App. 1995). “On December 2, 1993, after the termination of services, the parents petitioned the Fauquier County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (J & DR court) to order a residential treatment placement for their daughter pursuant to Code §§ 16.1-278(A) 3 and 2.1-757(E). 4 On…”
S.G. v. Prince William Cnty. Dep't of Soc. Servs., 488 S.E.2d 653 (Va. Ct. App. 1997). “Thus, the juvenile court judge's order directing the probation office to refer the case to a FAPT was authorized by law.”
Comprehensive Servs. Act Off., etc v. J. M. (Va. Ct. App. 1999). “argues, inter alia, that the CSA’s appeal was limited by Code § 16.1-278 to “what the court specifically ordered with respect to that agency.”
S. G., A Minor, etc. v. Prince Wm. Co. DSS (Va. Ct. App. 1997).
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