Foster Care

IMPROVING OUTCOMES ONE CHILD AT A TIME
Fostering a child is one of the most rewarding, challenging, meaningful things anyone can do to solve the foster care crisis and be a positive influence in the life of a child. Foster care is messy, sometimes heartbreaking, and soul-fulfilling. The life of a foster parent is not easy, but done in community, fostering can be your greatest joy. We encourage everyone exploring becoming a  foster parent to consider thoughtfully the effects on yourself and your family. If fostering is not right for you there are hundreds of other ways to serve and support this work.
Foster parents in Virginia can be:
Single

Married

 Small Family

Renters

Home Owners

21+ Years of Age

Military

Working

Stay at Home

Pet Owners

Retired

Large Family

Foster Families in Virginia

dire need for more foster families

Becoming a foster family is a commitment to work within the foster care system even when its hard to advocate for the best outcomes for the children in your care. There needs to be a strong commitment from every member of the family. Is your family ready to take up this challenge?

FOSTER PARENTS

  • Understand that reunification to a stable, healthy birth family is often in the child's best interests.

  • Understand that any placement is temporary and may be short or long-term.

  • Are willing to work in conjunction with the birth family to ensure the long-term wellbeing of the child.

  • Are willing to consider taking sibling sets, older kids and kids with special needs.

  • Are willing to create a trauma-informed home environment.

  • Can be PATIENT at the right times with a system that is overwhelmed and PERSISTENT at other times to ensure the best services for their child in foster care.

    Become a Foster Parent

    start your journey

    Start your journey to becoming a foster parent in Virginia. We encourage everyone to explore all three options and identify the path that works best for you. Consider cost, support, access to kids, and rapport when making your choice.

    • Contact your County Child Welfare Department and connect with a recruiter, attend an info session, and receive training. Each locality handles licensing differently.
    • Contact a Local Placement Agency (private provider) and complete training.
    • Complete your application on the Faster Family Highway to begin your process of connecting online. By registering with this link, VKB can support you through this process.
    County Child-welfare Department Directory
    Private providers
    The Faster Family Highway

    Get Connected

    NO ONE SHOULD FOSTER ALONE

    Raising someone else's child is hard! No one should try to do it without a strong community of support. VKB Connected Communities are designed to help you find the resources you need on your journey. 

    EVERY FOSTER PARENT needs a group of caring adults to support your efforts.

    VKB works with faith communities and other local groups to provide WRAP care which include basic support and respite opportunities. In addition, we encourage every parent to have their own team and seek out other support groups, nonprofits and agency opportunities.

    VKB offers a great resource, "Build Your Village" to help you plan for your support needs.

    Remember it's OKAY to ask for help!

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    Helpful Links

    Find the Information You Need

    build your village

    No one should try to foster children from hard places alone. Whether you are a foster, kinship or adoptive parent you need a team of support.

    Our Build Your Village Guide provides step-by-step guidance to develop a strong support team.

    Download Build your Village guide

    on-going training

    Caring for kids from hard places means understanding the effects of the trauma they have suffered on their physical, behavioral, cognitive and development health. Foster parents tell us there is never enough training so don't stop learning and sharing resources.
    Download Kids from Hard places
    ongoing support for foster parents

    foster friendly app

    The Foster Friendly App helps foster families experience the support of their local community. This growing App highlights local businesses offering discounts to active foster parents, support group information and trauma-informed faith communities. Download the App on your preferred platform.

    download the app

    Support Foster parents

    It's hard raising someone else's child! Foster parents need a strong group of caring adults around them to make life just a little easier. Individuals can be a tremendous support by helping with the little things or supporting groups like VKB that provide direct resources. Groups can organize their efforts through our WRAP program. 
    Learn More about WRAP