The Research and Planning Archives provide access to historical studies, reports, and planning documents developed or used by the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS). These materials are preserved for reference and transparency and reflect the data, priorities and policy context in place at the time they were created.
This archive helps keep current research and planning information clear and easy to find while maintaining access to earlier materials that may support analysis, reporting or long-term planning.
For the most current benefit program information, please return to the main Research and Planning section of the site.
This collection includes Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) surveys and research studies from fiscal years 2016 through 2023. The studies cover child welfare, foster care, workforce well-being, SNAP policy, training initiatives and youth services. All studies were approved by the VDSS Institutional Review Board. Many were conducted for VDSS by outside researchers. These materials are shared for historical reference.
This collection includes internal Family Services management and performance reports. The reports cover Foster Care and Adoption.
The Foster Care reports use national child welfare data systems to help you understand how children and youth in foster care are doing. These reports include:
For monthly reports prior to 2021, contact the VDSS Office of Research and Planning (research@dss.virginia.gov).
This report shows key information about children in foster care, including sex, age, race, case plan goal and average time in care. Data is available for both the state and local areas to help better understand children’s needs and experiences.
This report provides a monthly view of youth in care across the state. They include key details such as age, sex, disability status, placement type, case plan goals and removal history.
The reports show key measures such as family-based placements, group care placements, exits to permanent homes and time spent in care. These insights help you understand progress and support better outcomes for children and youth.
These reports provide clear information about children in foster care who have a goal of adoption. They include details about age, race and sex, as well as adoption status, youth waiting for placement, youth in adoptive homes and children who have been adopted.
Reports are available by state fiscal quarter and year, and earlier reports can be requested by contacting the Adoption Program (VDSSAdoption@dss.virginia.gov).
These reports share information about children whose adoptions were finalized during the state fiscal year, which ends on June 30. They include details such as age at removal and adoption, sex and race, time in care before adoption and the types of adoptive parents.
These reports share information about children in foster care who have a goal of adoption during each state fiscal quarter. They include details about age, race and sex, as well as adoption status, such as children waiting for placement, in adoptive homes or moving to adoption.
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