Ongoing Foster Care Support Resources and Services in Virginia

The number of children entering foster care each year is on the rise. Unfortunately, foster parent numbers have not increased to match, but have decreased, in part due to the 30% to 50% turnover rate.

Foster parents leave the system for many reasons. A big one is that they do not feel like they can access the resources and support they need to parent foster children in the way they deserve.

This is where foster care support in Virginia comes in. Learn more about the available support services for VA foster care families in this guide.

Introduction to Ongoing Training and Support for Foster Parents in Virginia

The importance of continuous learning and support in foster care cannot be understated. First-time foster parents must stay up to date on the latest best practices to ensure they have the skills to provide optimal care for children.

Luckily, Virginia makes it easy to find resources for ongoing education. Foster parent training is available via the following organizations and institutions:

• The Department of Family Services (DFS)
• Foster Parent College
• Foster Care Academy
• Foster Care and Adoptive Community
• The Center for Adoption Support and Education
• The Foster Care Institute by Dr. John DeGarmo
• FosterParentTraining.com
• The North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) Conference
• The National Foster Parent Association Conference
• Virginia public schools
• Virginia church community service boards

Pre-service foster parent training is crucial but not enough alone. Caregivers can never know it all, and research is constantly emerging about new ways to better support foster children.

Moreover, many states require foster caregivers to complete continuing education to maintain their licenses. For example, in Virginia, licensed foster parents must complete 30 hours of training courses every three years.

Foster Parent Training Essentials

Foster parents have much flexibility when choosing training courses. Ideally, parents should choose courses in subject areas where they need improvement. This strategy supports a well-rounded education.

Here are some subjects that may be beneficial to foster parents after the initial pre-service training:

• Fostering neurodivergent children
• Fostering children who identify as LGBTQ
• Helping children heal from neglect and abuse
• Grief and loss in foster children
• Advanced attachment theory
• How to maintain your relationships as a foster parent
• Helping children heal from trauma
• Parenting tips for foster teens and tweens
• Trust-based relational interventions (TBRIs) and how to use them
• How to have healthy relationships with birth parents
• Transitioning from foster care to adoption
• Preventing foster children from running away
• How to manage psychotropic medications for foster children

Courses are available in-person workshops, online classes, or via foster care conferences. Before enrolling, always ensure the organization is approved to provide these courses. Also, ask how many continuing education units (CEUs) are offered.

The Role of Peer Support Groups and Associations

Foster parents face significant challenges in caring for their children. Non-foster parents do not always understand these unique hurdles. So, it's crucial for fostering and adoptive parents to lean on each other for support.

New parents can learn from others with more experience and wisdom. Because fellow foster parents understand what each other is going through, peer support groups can provide a safe and non-judgmental place to learn.

When foster parents support each other, they can provide better lives for the children in their care. Indeed, studies show that foster parent support groups in VA are helpful for both foster caregivers and the children in their care.

Local In-Person Support Groups

Finding local support groups can be as simple as running a quick Google search. Queries that include your city or county plus "foster parent support group" will turn up results such as:

• Formed Families Together (register here)
• Stronger Together (for foster children)
• NAMI Virginia Family Support Group

You can also check with the Virginia DFS to find regional parent support groups near you.

Online Support Groups

Online support groups are even easier to find. Parents do not have to live in a certain area. Instead, virtual foster parent peer support programs like the following are available wherever WiFi is:

• Formed Families Together (register here)
• Talk It Out
• Heads Up (for foster teens)
• Daily Strength Foster Care Support Community

Find additional nationwide online and in-person support groups at the Child Welfare Information Gateway.

Foster Care Association Support Services

Virginia is also home to various foster care associations. Consider visiting the following organizations' websites to find additional foster parent support services:

• NewFound Families Virginia
• Tidewater Friends of Foster Care
• FACES of Virginia
• Central Virginia Foster Parent Association
• Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption Association
• Loudoun County Foster/Adoptive Parents Association of Virginia
• Russell County Foster Care Association
• Shenandoah County Foster Parent Association

You can also find resources at FosterVA, including testimonials from foster parents like you.

Therapeutic Services and Respite Care Options for Foster Children

When the physical and emotional demands of raising a foster child start to overwhelm you, it may be time to seek respite care for your foster child.

Therapeutic respite is for foster children with special needs, but respite care, in general, is for all children. This service gives parents a break from caregiving while ensuring the foster child gets the care they need.

Northern Virginia Family Services offers both options for Virginia foster families. Learn more about the program and how to enroll for a day, a weekend, or a week in this brochure.

Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF) is another program offering respite services for foster children. This program is available statewide. Learn more about the services offered and how to apply here.

Other respite and therapeutic services may be available through your local school district or DFS.

Leveraging Additional Agency Resources

Depending on the agency, foster parents may also have access to services like child supervision, medical care, and advice about adoption and permanency. Contact your local social services department for more resources and information about utilizing them.

Foster Care Support in Virginia

Being a foster parent can be the most rewarding thing you do with your life. However, parenting a foster child comes with just as many challenges, which is why ongoing training and foster care support in Virginia are essential.

Are you ready to become a foster parent in Virginia? FosterVA can help you get started. Schedule a conversation with our foster parent advocates to learn everything you need to know about bringing home a foster child.