Virginia’s foster care program gives children safe, temporary homes when they cannot live with their parents. The goal is to reunite families when it’s safe and give every child hope for the future.
Foster care is short-term care for children facing abuse, neglect or other serious problems. Social workers from the Virginia Department of Social Services partner with families to help them heal and reunite.
Virginia is a “kin-first” state, meaning children are placed with relatives or close family friends whenever possible.
Today, about 4,900 children and teens are in foster care, and 900 young adults are in Fostering Futures, the extended foster care program for ages 18–21.
Children in foster care need love, patience and stability.
Foster parents:
When children see adults working together, they feel more secure and hopeful about their future.
Every child deserves safety, care and hope. You can be part of the solution.
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