Children's residential facilities are facilities, child-caring institutions, or group homes that receive children separated from their parents or guardians for full-time care, maintenance, protection and guidance, OR provide independent living services to young adults between 18 and 21 who are in the process of transitioning out of foster care.
The Introduction to Licensing and Introduction to Children's Residential Facilities (CRF) training videos are designed for those considering applying to operate a new Children's Residential Facility.
We recommend taking the Introduction to Licensing training first, followed by the Introduction to Children's Residential Facilities (CRF).
Once completed and you've decided that you would like to operate a Children's Residential Facility (CRF), visit our Application webpage. We thank you for your interest and look forward to working with you.
Looking for older children's residential facilities memos and notices? Visit the archives to access past memos and notices, forms and documents, training resources, and other reference materials related to children's residential facilities. Please Note: This archive also includes some current documents and resources as we continue modernizing and updating the agency’s digital footprint.
Looking for older children's residential facilities forms and documents? Visit the archives to access past memos and notices, forms and documents, training resources, and other reference materials related to children's residential facilities. Please Note: This archive also includes some current documents and resources as we continue modernizing and updating the agency’s digital footprint.
BROADCAST
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DATE:
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April 1, 2026 |
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TO:
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All State and Local Staff All Staff of the Office of Children’s Services |
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FROM:
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Tara Davis Ragland, Director Division of Licensing Programs |
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SUBJECT: |
Notification Report of Children’s Residential Facilities (CRF) Issued a Provisional License Due to Multiple Health and Safety Violations. |
CONTACT(S): Dawn Caldwell at dawn.caldwell@dss.virginia.gov
This broadcast serves to alert relevant local governments and placing and funding agencies, including the Office of Children’s Services, about the status of initial and renewal applications, licenses that have been denied, and facilities that were issued a provisional license due to health and safety violations.
The mass distribution e-mail will contain information about the status of initial and renewal applications, licenses that have been denied, and facilities that were issued a provisional license due to health and safety violations. As of the date of broadcast, no CRF has been issued a provisional license and no CRF has been denied a license.
All state and local department staff can find the license information mentioned above on FUSION at https://fusion.dss.virginia.gov/lp/LP-Home/CHILD-WELFARE-UNIT
Additional information about children’s residential facilities can also be accessed on the department’s public website at http://www.dss.virginia.gov/facility/crf.cgi.
Looking for older children's residential facilities training resources? Visit the archives to access past memos and notices, forms and documents, training resources, and other reference materials related to children's residential facilities. Please Note: This archive also includes some current documents and resources as we continue modernizing and updating the agency’s digital footprint.
Looking for older children's residential facilities additional resources? Visit the archives to access past memos and notices, forms and documents, training resources, and other reference materials related to children's residential facilities. Please Note: This archive also includes some current documents and resources as we continue modernizing and updating the agency’s digital footprint.
The Division of Licensing Programs (DOLP) ensures that licensed child welfare programs comply with background check requirements as defined in the regulation "Background Checks for Child Welfare for Child Welfare Agencies" and the Code of Virginia.
Children's residential facilities (CRF) are programs required to undergo comprehensive background checks at initial application for licensure or approval and thereafter, as required.
For questions about registration, Fieldprint, or criminal fingerprint background results, please email the criminal team: backgrounds@dss.virginia.gov
For questions about the Central Registry, please email the team: crs_operations@dss.virginia.gov
For more information, visit the Office of Background Investigations page.
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