A Personal Invitation to Learn About Fostering in Virginia
Search engines can only take you so far, but real answers come from real people who understand the journey. That's why we've compiled the most frequently asked questions by future foster parents and provided honest, practical answers based on years of experience.
If your question isn't listed, don't worry. Our Foster Parent Advocates are here to help you personally. With decades of combined expertise and a deep understanding of Virginia's foster care system, our team is ready to guide you every step of the way.
Whether you're just beginning to explore fostering or are ready to take the next step, we're confident we can provide the clarity, encouragement, and information you need to make an informed and heartfelt decision.
What is foster care?
Foster care provides children with a safe and loving home when their families aren’t able to care for them. Children may enter foster care because of abuse, neglect, illness, or crisis at home. The goal is always reunification, which means working to return children safely to their parents. While that happens, foster parents step in to give children stability, care, and support. If reunification isn’t possible, foster parents may also help children move toward adoption or another permanent home. Foster care is about providing love and safety during one of the hardest times in a child’s life.
What types of children need foster homes in Virginia?
Children in foster care come from all ages and backgrounds, but the greatest need in Virginia is for families who can care for teens, sibling groups, and children with special needs. Younger children are placed more quickly, but teens and siblings often wait the longest. Opening your home to one of these groups can make an especially powerful impact.
Who can become a foster parent in Virginia?
In Virginia, you can become a foster parent if you’re at least 18 years old. You don’t need to be married, own a home, or have a high income. Foster parents can be single, married, partnered, LGBTQ+, homeowners or renters. What matters most is that you can provide a stable and nurturing home. A past criminal record doesn’t always mean you can’t foster, it depends on the nature of the offense. Foster parents come from all walks of life, but they share one thing in common: the desire to give children love and safety.
What financial support and resources do foster parents receive?
Foster parents in Virginia receive monthly support to help cover the child’s needs. As of 2025, that’s about $580 a month for ages 0–4, $677 for ages 5–12, and $861 for ages 13 and older. Children in foster care are covered by Medicaid for medical, dental, and vision care. Foster parents also get clothing allowances, access to training, and support from caseworkers. You are not expected to do this on your own, you’re part of a team with resources to help.
Can I adopt through foster care, and does it cost anything?
Yes, many foster parents adopt through foster care, especially when reunification with the birth family isn’t possible. Adoption through foster care is usually free or very low-cost in Virginia. Most required fees, like court costs, are reimbursed. Fostering gives you the opportunity to provide temporary care, but it can also lead to becoming a forever family for a child.
What happens if I get too attached to a child and don’t want them to leave?
It’s normal to get attached to a child you foster. In fact, that’s exactly what children in foster care need, someone who will love them fully and unconditionally. Yes, goodbyes can be painful, but that’s part of the role. The love you give helps children heal, and sometimes those attachments even grow into adoption if reunification isn’t possible.
How long does it take to be approved and have a child placed in my home?
Most families in Virginia complete the approval process in about four months. That includes training, your home study, and background checks. Once approved, placement depends on the needs of the children in foster care. Some families receive a call soon after approval, while others may wait a little longer for the right match. The most important thing is that the process moves at the pace that’s right for both your family and the child
What training and approval do I need to become a foster parent?
All foster parents in Virginia complete PRIDE training, which is about 27 hours, usually spread over several weeks. Training covers child development, trauma, and how to support children in care. You’ll also go through a home study, which includes interviews, background checks, and safety checks. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about making sure you’re ready and supported. Even after approval, ongoing training helps you grow as a foster parent.”
Will fostering affect my own family and children?
Yes, fostering does affect your whole family. Your children may have to share their home and attention, and they may feel sadness when a foster child leaves. But many families say it strengthens their bonds and teaches empathy, compassion, and resilience. Preparing your family and involving your children in the journey can make fostering a rewarding experience for everyone.
How long do children usually stay in foster care?
Foster care is always temporary. Some children stay just a few days or weeks, while others may stay for several months or even longer. The goal is always permanency — usually reunification with the birth family, but sometimes adoption or guardianship if that isn’t possible. Every case is unique, but the role of a foster parent is to provide stability for as long as the child needs you.
Additional Questions You May Have About Fostering and Adoption
- What are the responsibilities of a foster parent?
Aside from providing a loving, safe and nurturing environment, there are other needs for youth placed in your home. These include but are not limited to:
- Having a flexible schedule
- Transporting youth to appointments (medical, psychological, psychiatric, etc)
- Advocating for the youth’s best interest to DSS workers, those present in court hearings and other professionals
- Being trauma-informed and trauma aware
- Participate in trainings to gain more knowledge of your foster youth’s needs
- Document all events, medical appointments, incident, and other concerns
- Keeping all paperwork up-to-date and in compliance
- Following regulations regarding decision making for the child or children in your care
- What is a foster home?
A foster home is a temporary home for youth who have been abused, neglected, abandoned, and/or have special needs. These youth have been removed from their homes/families due to safety concerns.
- Can I pick a specific child after I get certified (age, race, gender, etc.)?
Yes, you can. Conversations will be done from the start of your journey through completion regarding the preferences you have that may fit best with your family. Youth with the highest need for foster homes are teenagers.
- I am not sure I can foster a teen. What can that look like?
Being a foster parent for a teenager or a young adult is very different from being a foster parent for a younger child. In the same aspect as a younger child, teens need a loving, supportive, and nurturing home.
Many teens in foster care come from backgrounds in which both positive and negative emotions were often expressed in extreme, inaccurate, or inappropriate ways. Youth need to know how to express emotions appropriately.
They need to feel the joy of knowing that a respected adult cares about them and how they feel. Developmentally, teens are often on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Having someone who can model a caring, calm, and respectful response enhances teens’ positive development. Teens and young adults are adults-in-training. They need - and want - life models, life coaches, and opportunities to develop into the people they can be.
- Can I be a Foster parent with a criminal record in Virginia
Many people interested in fostering wonder if a past criminal conviction disqualifies them from doing so. In Virginia, background checks are required for all foster parents and adults in the home. Some offenses, referred to as "barrier crimes," render approval impossible; however, others may be considered if sufficient time has passed and the individual's rights have been restored. Learn more in our full article here: Felonies and Misdemeanors Barriers to Being a Foster Parent?
- What if the child lives and goes to school in another area than I currently live? Can they still be placed with me?
ESP receives referrals, from localities throughout the state of Virginia, for youth who are in need of a placement. If you are outside of the area from the referral, the youth can be placed. It is possible their schools and service providers would need to be transferred.
- What is an emergency placement?
Emergency placements occur if a child comes into care less than 72 hours and needs a placement right away. This may occur in the middle of the night or the next day.
It also may be for various reasons such as abuse allegations, youth living in unsafe conditions, drug abuse and/or neglect by biological parents, emergency situations with the current foster home, etc.
- Does my spouse/partner need to be part of the process?
It is preferred your spouse/partner be part of the process. This journey will impact the family as a whole. The support within the structure of your home will be very important.
- Is there an income requirement to be a foster parent?
While there is no required salary requirement, foster families must be able to maintain their family’s needs without relying on the reimbursement.
- What do I do if I am not available for the training that is scheduled?
Extra Special Parents understand everyone’s schedule may be different. We offer virtual training through zoom.