VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Regulations

• Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies (PDF)
• General Procedures and Information for Licensure (PDF)
• Replacement Pages for General Procedures and Information for Licensure (PDF)
• Replacement Pages for Standards for Licensed Child-Placing Agencies (10/17) (PDF)
• Standards for Licensed Child-Placing Agencies (PDF)

Technical Assistance

• Technical Assistance for Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies (PDF)
• Technical Assistance for General Procedures and Information for Licensure (PDF)

Applicable Code of Virginia References

• 2018 Code of Virginia - Title 63.2 (PDF)
• Title 63.2 - Chapter 09: Foster Care (PDF)
• Title 63.2 - Chapter 10: Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (PDF)
• Title 63.2 - Chapter 11: Implementation of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (PDF)
• Title 63.2 - Chapter 12: Adoption (PDF)
• Title 63.2 - Chapter 13: Adoption Assistance for Children with Special Needs (PDF)
• Title 63.2 - Chapter 14: Uniform Act on Adoption and Medical Assistance (PDF)

Becoming Licensed

• Overview (PDF)

Application Forms

If you wish to pursue licensure of a child-placing agency, please call the phone number for licensing information listed on our help contacts page.

• Annual Operating Budget (DOC)
• Annual Operating Budget (PDF)
• CPA Initial Application (PDF)

Notices

• 2018/04/26: Central Registry System Update (PDF)
• 2018/04/19: Fingerprint Memo (PDF)
• 2018/03/19: Fingerprinting Memo (PDF)
• 2018/03/01: Revised Initial and Renewal Applications for Licensure and New Pre Licensure Resource Documents (PDF)
• 2018/01/19: Fieldprint Codes Have Been Released (PDF)
• 2018/01/17: Revised CRF & CPA Fingerprinting Communication (PDF)
• 2018/01/11: Fieldprint Fingerprint Communication (PDF)
• 2017/11/03: Revisions to General Procedures and Information for Licensure (PDF)
• 2017/10/11: Exempt Action CPA Provider Memo (PDF)
• 2017/10/11: CPA Notification - New Code of Ethics (PDF)
• 2017/09/28: New Background Check Procedures - Compliance (PDF)
• 2017/07/21: Fingerprint Communication (PDF)
• 2017/07/17: Licensed Child Placing Agencies Barrier Crimes 2017 (PDF)
• 2017/07/14: Code of Virginia Update (PDF)
• 2016/12/12: Criminal Background Check - Fee Decrease (PDF)
• 2016/10/21: Revisions to Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies (PDF)
• 2016/09/06: New CPA Barrier Crimes (PDF)
• 2016/07/01: Legislative Implementation 2016 (PDF)
• 2016/03/08: Change of Procedure - Separate Licenses for Each Location (PDF)
• 2014/05/12: 2014 Legislative Update- New Background Check Requirements (PDF)
• 2014/01/30: Revised Applications and Addenda (PDF)
• 2013/07/12: Revisions to Standards for Licensed Child-Placing Agencies and General Procedures and Information for Licensure (PDF)
• 2012/12/04: Change to Interpretation of 22 VAC 40-131-180.J.1.c (PDF)
• 2012/07/02: Changes to Child Protective Services Mandated Reporting Law (PDF)
• 2012/04/11: Short-Term Foster Care Services for Licensee Approved Homes (PDF)
• 2012/03/26: CPA Provider Memo New Standards Variances Modification (PDF)
• 2010/06/25: Shaken Baby Syndrome (Web page)
• 2009/09/09: Resource, Foster, Adoptive, Family Home Standards Chapter 211 (PDF)

Guidance & Procedures

• Enforcement Procedural Manual (PDF)
• Key Health & Safety Standards Subject to Risk Ratings (PDF)
• Performance Standardization Guidance for Licensure (PDF)
• Risk Assessment Guidance Manual (PDF)
• Risk Assessment Matrix (PDF)

Forms

License Renewal

• CPA Renewal Application (PDF)
• Staff Information (PDF)

All Other

• Certificate of Approval (DOC)
• Certificate of Approval (PDF)
• Children's Dental Examination (PDF)
• Children's Residential Facilities Agreement: Code of Ethics & Mutual Responsibilities (PDF)
• Conducting a Name-Based Check of the National Criminal Database (PDF)
• Criminal Background Check Non Conviction (PDF)
• Criminal Background Check Revised With Conviction (PDF)
• Expedited Enrollment of Child Placed in Foster Care (PDF)
• Foster Care Agreement: Code of Ethics & Mutual Responsibilities (PDF)
• LCPA Provider Matrix (XLS)
• License Modification Request for Facility Change of Location (PDF)
• Publication Order Form (PDF)
• Request for Search of the Child Protective Services (CPS) Central Registry (PDF)
• Sworn Statement or Affirmation for Child-Placing Agencies (PDF)
• Sworn Statement or Affirmation for Foster Homes, Adoptive Parents, Adult Household Members (PDF)

Additional Resources

• TIPS Calendar

Agencies that are interested in applying for certification to provide Treatment Foster Care Case Management Services eligible for reimbursement through Medicaid must be a licensed CPA or a local department of social services. Agencies applying for an initial license should include this information in the application packet. Local departments of social service should submit a letter to Child Welfare Unit Administrator, Virginia Department of Social Services, 1604 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 130, Richmond, VA 23229-5008 requesting certification as a treatment foster care provider. Program statement and model forms compliant with the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) treatment foster care regulation should be submitted with the application letter.

The DMAS provider participation requirements apply to agencies certified to provide Medicaid reimbursed treatment foster care case management services. For further information, call DMAS at (800) 552-8627.

Licensed CPA Employees

Forms

• Request for Search of the Child Protective Services (CPS) Central Registry (PDF)
• Sworn Statement or Affirmation for Child-Placing Agencies (PDF)

Guidance & Procedures

• Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies (PDF)
• Barrier Crimes (PDF)
• Convictions Requiring Registration in the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry
• Criminal Background Checks (conducted by Virginia State Police)
• Procedures for Conducting Background Investigations (PDF)
• State Police Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry
• Technical Assistance for Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies (PDF)

Foster & Adoptive Homes

About these Investigations

The Code of Virginia requires background investigations as outlined below:

§63.2-901.1 - Criminal history and central registry check for placement of children:

Each local board and private licensed child-placing agency shall conduct background investigations (of any individual with whom the local board or licensed child-placing agency is considering placing a child on an emergency, temporary or permanent basis, including the birth parent of a child in foster care placement, unless the birth parent has revoked an entrustment agreement pursuant to §63.2-1223 or §63.2-1817 or a local board or birth parent revokes a placement agreement while legal custody remains with the parent, parents, or guardians pursuant to §63.2-900. The local board or licensed child-placing agency shall also obtain such background checks on all adult household members residing in the home of the individual with whom the child is to be placed.

Background Investigations must be conducted on the following individuals:

• Adoptive parents
• Adult household member
• Birth Parents
• Foster parents
• Relative Placements (kinship foster care)

Forms

• Authority for Release of Information (PDF)
• Fingerprint Card Template (PDF)
• Request for Criminal Background Investigation (DOC)
• Request for Criminal Background Investigation (PDF)
• Request for Search of the Child Protective Services (CPS) Central Registry - (Eff. 8-01-15 New Fee & Form) (PDF)
• Request to Discontinue Reprints (DOC)
• Request to Discontinue Reprints (PDF)
• Sworn Statement or Affirmation for Foster Homes, Adoptive Parents, Adult Household Members (PDF)

Guidance & Procedures

• Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies (PDF)
• Barrier Crimes (PDF)
• Convictions Requiring Registration in the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry
• Instructions for Completing Fingerprint Cards (PDF)
• Legal Terms/Abbrevations (PDF)
• Other States - Instructions for Out of State CPS Searches (PDF)
• Other States - Request for Search of the CPS Central Registry (PDF)
• Procedures for Conducting Background Investigations (PDF)
• Procedures for Discontinuing prints for Name Search (PDF)
• State Police Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry

Challenging Criminal Background Results

• Federal Procedures
• Virginia Procedures