The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors directed the Deputy County Executive for Human Services to develop a human services reorganization and process redesign plan that would better meet the human service needs of County residents.The goal of Fairfax County's Human Service Redesign effort was to develop an integrated accountable human services system which increased client self-sufficiency and yielded long term cost savings.Developing an integrated community-based service delivery system that responded to and anticipated the unique needs of individuals and families within a specific geographic area was a key component of the Redesign Plan adopted on April 19, 1993.

To be prevention-oriented — The system's major goal is to decrease client dependency, address needs before they become crises, and reverse the growth of long-term client needs.  Success in this involves a shift in thinking away from traditional programs that react to problems toward those that are preventive in nature.

To be client and family centered — The system must comprehensively address the individual needs of our clients and their families and not be hampered or limited by categorical boundaries or agency-related barriers or priorities.  Empowerment of clients toward self-sufficiency is supported by strong case management and coordination of services within a fully integrated and seamless system.