Works with trained foster parents who are people (single or married; employed inside or outside the home) who open their home to a child and are committed to meet the individual needs of the child (children who are at risk of abuse and/or neglect are placed into foster care); Foster parents work in partnership with the child, the agency, and the birth parents to help in resolving problems and reuniting the family whenever possible. When determined necessary, some children are placed into residential facilities based on their needs.
Foster Parent Training
Interested in becoming a foster parent or receiving training? Call (540) 727-0372.
Adoption
Assists children who have been permanently and legally separated from their birth parents to become permanent members of a new family. The goal of adoption is the third ranking permanency planning goal for Virginian children in foster care. Return of the child to the birth parents is the first goal and placement with relatives with a transfer of custody to the relative is the second goal. The goal of adoption is selected for children in foster care when the two higher-ranking goals cannot be achieved.
Independent Living
Assists foster care youth, ages 16-21, in developing the skills necessary to make the transition from foster care to independent living.
Prevention
Assists families with locating resources to prevent out of home placement for their children. Prevention services can be court ordered.