Virginia desperately needs foster parents and the outcomes for youth in foster depend greatly on the availability of committed foster parents!
There are currently over 5,200 young people in Virginia’s foster care system. There continue to be kids entering foster care and living in hotels, siblings being separated from each other and an over-reliance on congregate care settings because of the unavailability of families. We have comprised specific information for our partner agencies below but if your locality is not specifically mentioned, they most certainly are recruiting for foster parents, too! Regardless of your locality, keep reading to learn more about fostering in Virginia or getting involved in another way that makes an impact in the life of a child in foster care!
Children in foster care range from newborn to teenagers (and some over 18 even continue to receive voluntary foster are services). Most children entering foster care in Virginia have a goal to return to their parents or family members and foster parents often play a role in that goal! There are children in foster care that are adopted after it is determined they are not able to go home to their parents or be placed with kin. Some children in Virginia are currently waiting to be adopted and more information can be found about them here. No matter the circumstance, families of all kinds are needed to meet the needs of Virginia’s youth and many myths about becoming a foster parent can be dispelled by reading more here (scroll to Foster Care Myth Busters). Spoiler alert: you do not have to have a college degree, own your home, be married, be under a certain age (you do have to be at least 18) or already be a parent!
It's easy to learn more and pursue your interest in foster parenting through Virginia's Faster Families Highway. Get started today by visiting Faster Families Highway.
Chesterfield County is seeking foster parents for children of all ages however is especially in need of families that are able to accept 2 or more children, or children over the age of 12.
Upcoming Dates: None scheduled at this time.
Agency Contact: Courtney Heavener, 804-661-575744 heavenerc@chesterfieldgov
Henrico County is seeking foster parents for children of all ages and is especially in need of families able to foster children ages 12 and older or sibling groups of 2 or more!
Upcoming Dates:
June 12, 6-7pm at Fairfield Library
July 10, 6-7pm at Henrico DSS (8600 Dixon Powers Drive, Henrico, VA 23228)
August 14, 6-7pm at Fairfield Library
Agency Contacts: Morgan Wood, 804-501-7496 woo139@henrico.us
Daniela Sanzetenea, 804-501-5942 san086@henrico.us
Hanover County is urgently seeking foster parents for children of all ages, with a particular need for families that can accept children over the age of 12 and sibling groups.
Upcoming Dates: Hanover DSS partners with CRAFFT for training, and opportunities are available throughout the year! We are happy to share more information with you so you can get connected to training!
Agency Contact: Devon S. Parham, 804-365-4135 dsparham@hanovercounty.gov
Goochland County is seeking foster parents for children of all ages however is especially in need of families able to foster children ages 12 and older.
Upcoming Dates: Goochland County partners with CRAFFT for training so opportunities are available throughout the year! We are happy to share more information with you to get connected to training!
Agency Contact: Emily Fisher, 804-556-5880, efisher@goochlandva.us
The City of Richmond is seeking foster parents for children of all ages and is especially in need of families able to foster children ages 8 and older, short and long term placements for teens and sibling groups of 2 or more.
Upcoming Dates: The next information session will take plce in August/September 2024.
Agency Contact: Candice Fleming, (804)646-7667, Candice.Fleming@rva.gov Recruitment Hotline, 804-646-5437
The City of Petersburg is seeking foster parents for children of all ages and is especially in need of foster parents able to accept siblings and teenagers.
Upcoming Dates: Petersburg DSS partners with CRAFFT for training, and opportunities are available throughout the year!
Agency Contact: Shammara Avery, 804-861-4720 x3033, shammara.avery@dss.virginia.gov
