The Virginia Department of Social Services is committed to providing stability for all youth in foster care. Foster parenting involves providing a nurturing and supportive home to a child or sibling group on a temporary basis until the child or sibling group can be reunified with their prior custodian, placed with a relative or as a last option, placed for adoption.
Real Stories of Foster & Adoptive Families
Family, belonging, acceptance, love -- The Real Stories of Foster & Adoptive Families is a compilation of the compelling anecdotes from families across the state of Virginia. These Virginia families share the true stories of how families were started, reunited and strengthened through foster care and adoption. If you or someone you know is willing to share an adoption or foster care story, please email public.affairs@dss.virginia.gov.
Read MoreCurrently, there are more than 4,700 children in Virginia's foster care system under age 18. There are approximately 1800 children with the goal of adoption. Of those children and youth, more than 1000 children are in need of a permanent placement.
The decision to become a foster parent or adoptive parent is one that may take time and consideration before you commit to the process. Families interested in becoming a foster parent or an adoptive parent should contact a local department of social services in their city or county to learn more about each agency's process.
