Foster care is vital to ensuring children grow up in safe and supportive environments when their biological families are unable to provide the care they need. At Impact Living Services, we believe every child deserves the chance to thrive in a loving family through foster care or adoption. By examining the data and understanding the stories behind the numbers, we can better appreciate the importance of creating a child and family well-being system.
Children in Foster Care: The Numbers
According to data from 2022, thousands of children across the United States need safe, stable homes. Casey Family Programs works in all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and tribal nations to reduce the need for foster care and improve outcomes for children and families. The goal is to transition from a reactive foster care system to a proactive child and family well-being system prioritizing prevention and stability.
In Virginia, as of 2022, there were approximately 5,500 children in foster care (National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect). This represents a significant portion of the population who rely on community support and dedicated foster families to provide stability and care. Among children who exited foster care in Virginia:
- 50% were reunited with their biological families
- 25% were adopted, many by their foster parents
- 15% transitioned to guardianship with extended family or close family friends
- 10% had other outcomes, such as emancipation or transfer to another agency
These numbers highlight the critical need for support systems prioritizing reunification and permanency whenever possible.
You can find the most recent statistics for Foster Care in Virginia on the Virginia Department of Social Services website under Foster Care (FC) Related Reports.
The Kinship-First Approach in Virginia
Virginia’s 2024 initiative has embraced a “kinship-first” approach, emphasizing the importance of placing children with relatives or close family friends when they cannot remain with their biological parents (Virginia Department of Social Services). This strategy recognizes the inherent benefits of maintaining familial and cultural connections for children in care. By identifying and supporting kinship caregivers, the state aims to reduce trauma and promote stability for children.
Under this model, kinship families receive tailored support, including:
- Guidance from caseworkers to navigate the foster care system
- Access to financial resources to meet the child’s needs
- Services to strengthen the caregiver’s ability to provide a stable home
The Foster to Adopt Journey
For many children, the ultimate goal is reunification with their biological families. However, when that is not possible, adoption through foster care provides a path to permanency. Foster to Adopt allows foster parents to adopt children placed in their home after six months if the Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) has occurred. In Virginia, 30% of children in foster care are adopted, many by their foster parents, underscoring the strong bonds formed through this process (Casey Family Programs).
One foster parent shared their journey of adopting through foster care:
“We were inspired to adopt after experiencing the deep connection with our foster placements. With our first placement, after 15 months, a biological family member came forward, and we supported the transition despite the emotional challenge. Later, when caring for twins with a similar situation, we knew we couldn’t imagine them going anywhere else. Starting the adoption process felt like the natural next step.”
Support for Foster Parents
Becoming a licensed foster parent through Impact Living Services typically takes 3 to 6 months. Foster parents must be at least 21 years old but can come from any gender, culture, ethnicity, marital status, or educational background. Foster parents receive monthly maintenance payments ranging from $500 to $850, depending on the child’s age, and an annual clothing allowance of $350 to $550. Additional stipends may be available for children with emotional or medical needs.
Challenges and Rewards
Foster parents often face challenges such as navigating complex systems, managing children’s emotional needs, and balancing the demands of fostering with family life. However, the rewards are immense. One foster parent reflected:
“One of the biggest joys is watching them thrive; seeing the children overcome early medical and developmental challenges to live happy, healthy lives is beyond rewarding. It has brought a new perspective to our family and strengthened our community connections.”
Community Support: A Key Ingredient
Strong community support plays a vital role in successful foster and adoption experiences. Friends, family, and neighbors can help by offering respite care, preparing meals, providing childcare, and creating a welcoming environment for children. As one parent noted:
“Our community’s support made our journey less stressful. We never felt alone, from date-night childcare to meals and introductions to families with similarly aged children. This network of care allowed our entire family to thrive.”
How You Can Help
Impact Living Services is dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families through foster care and adoption. Whether you’re interested in becoming a foster parent, adopting a child, or supporting those who do, there are many ways to get involved. Together, we can ensure that every child has the stability, love, and opportunities to succeed. Let’s build a future where every child is part of a safe, strong, and permanent family.