Foster parents in Virginia are not paid a salary but receive a tax-free monthly maintenance stipend to cover the cost of raising a child. Payments are based on the Virginia Enhanced Maintenance Assessment Tool (VEMAT), which evaluates a child's age, needs, and behaviors. As of August 2025, rates range from $580 per month for children aged 0–4, $677 for those aged 5–12, and $861 for individuals aged 13 and older. An annual clothing allowance is also provided, from $376 to $564, depending on age.
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.
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.
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.
Thinking about becoming a foster parent in Virginia? This category guides you through the process step by step, from eligibility and training to preparing your home and what to expect during approval. Start here if you’re ready to begin your fostering journey.
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Teenage fostering in Virginia presents its own unique set of challenges and rewards. As with any age group, fostering teens and young people in care co
