What is a foster parent?

A foster parent is a trained and approved adult who provides a safe, stable, and loving home for a child who cannot live with their biological family.

Key Facts About Foster Parents:

• Foster parents care for children placed by the child welfare system due to safety concerns.
• They provide daily care, stability, and emotional support.
• Foster care is usually temporary, with the goal of reunifying the child with their family.
• Foster parents work as part of a team, including social workers and agencies like FosterVA.

What Children in Foster Care Need:

• A safe and stable home environment
• Patience, understanding, and consistency
• Support to heal from past trauma or hardship
• Time, attention, and strong, healthy relationships

How Long Do Children Stay in Foster Care?

• There is no set timeline for how long a child will stay.
• In Virginia:
  
  • The average time in care is about 2 years
  • The average age of children is around 8 years old
• Some children may return home quickly, while others may stay until adulthood if a permanent home is not found.

Types of Foster Care:

• Traditional Foster Care – Temporary care while families work toward reunification
• Foster-to-Adopt – When reunification is not possible, adoption may become an option
• Kinship Care – A child is placed with a relative or close family friend

Important to Know:

• The goal of foster care is reunification whenever possible
• In kinship situations, agencies help relatives become approved caregivers
• Foster parents receive training, guidance, and ongoing support