How to become a Foster Parent?

Ready to Become a Foster Parent?

You will never be asked to accept a child without your agreement.  In Virginia, every placement requires your consent, and our team works closely with you to ensure the right match for your family.

No child benefits from being placed in a home that is not the right fit.  Every child has a unique story, and every family has different strengths, experiences, and comfort levels.  Our goal is to help both children and foster families succeed.

Whether you are interested in providing short-term care, supporting children with higher needs, or eventually adopting, there is a path that may be right for you.

Every loving home can make a life-changing difference.

Types of Foster Care and Adoption in Virginia

Kinship Care

Children are cared for by relatives or close family friends when they cannot safely remain with their parents.

Fictive Kin:

Children are cared for by trusted adults with close family-like relationships, even if they are not related.

Regular Foster Care

Provides a safe, temporary, and nurturing home for a child while they work toward reunification or another permanency plan.

Treatment Foster Care

Supports children who have experienced trauma, behavioral challenges, or medical needs with additional training and professional support.

Respite Care

Offers short-term care for children, giving foster families an opportunity to rest and recharge.

Long-Term Foster Care

Provides stability and ongoing support for a child when longer-term care is needed.

Foster to Adopt

Begin as a foster parent with the possibility of providing a permanent, forever family through adoption when legally appropriate.

ICPC (Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children)

A legal agreement that ensures children placed across state lines receive proper protections, services, and approval before placement.

No matter which path you choose, you have the opportunity to provide stability, hope, and love to a child who needs it most.

How to Become a Foster Parent in Virginia

"There are no unwanted children, only families who have not yet been found."

Applying to become a foster or adoptive parent is the first step toward providing a safe, loving home for a child in Virginia.  Once you submit your initial inquiry, you'll receive access to our secure online portal, allowing you to complete the process at your own pace.

At FosterVA, we make the journey as simple and supportive as possible.

You will be paired with a dedicated Foster Parent Advocate who will answer your questions and help you determine whether fostering is right for your family.  You'll also work closely with a case manager who will guide you through the application, training requirements, and home study process.

Our team provides one-on-one support every step of the way, helping you gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to become a successful foster parent.

Fostering takes commitment, but with the right support, you can provide the stability, love, and hope that a child needs to thrive.

Take the first step today. Children across Virginia are waiting for families like yours.

How to change a youth's life in foster care:

• 1.  Make the Call
  

  Start with a simple conversation.

  Call 1-866-597-9292 to speak with a Foster Parent Advocate.  We'll answer your questions, explain the foster care process, and help you explore whether fostering is the right fit for your family.

• 2.  Orientation
  

  Learn more from the comfort of your home.

  You and your family are invited to attend an orientation session to learn about foster care, adoption, the licensing process, and what to expect on your journey.  Our orientations are currently offered conveniently through Zoom, allowing you to ask questions and explore your options in a relaxed, no-pressure environment.

• 3.  Training
  The six foster care training sessions are designed to give you the tools you need to become a foster or adoptive parent.  These sessions include regulatory standards, grief and loss, child abuse, physical abuse, and behavioral interventions, to name a few.
• 4.  Application
  The case management team will help you through the paperwork needed to become a foster or adoptive parent in Virginia.  This includes, but is not limited to, personal references, physical exams, DMV records, TB screenings, and a financial assessment.  Virginia DSS requires a lot of paperwork, but it is only a process, and we are here to help you complete it efficiently.
• 5.  Home Study

  There will be at least three 2-hour home visits to prepare your home environment while learning more about you and your family.

  The Department of Social Services states that all foster care and adoption agencies operate under instructions to ensure the home is a safe and positive place for a foster parent to raise a child in their care.

• 6.  Finalized Assessment

  After you successfully complete the foster parent application, your training, home study, and background checks, we will assess your family's readiness to foster or adopt a child and determine whether any further training or support is needed.

  The process from first training to this stage should take 90 - 120 days.

• 7.  It's Official!

  You did it!  You are now a Licensed Foster Parent 

• Get in Touch!

  We know that it looks like a lot of work, but you are taking on a child's life who has been through a very tough journey.  We want you to be informed, trained, and EXCITED.

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