Introduction Numbers

According to Adopt US Kids, there are approximately 5,000 children in Virginia’s foster care system. Of the 5,000, only 1,700 children have the goal of adoption, with those waiting on adoptive families being more than 600. These children are frequently of school age, ranging from 5-14 years old, a part of sibling groups, and from all types of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.

Virginia Ranking

Virginia ranks #1 for keeping children with their biological families, but ranks 49th for youth aging out of foster care without a permanent connection. More children with their biological families means a lesser need for foster care. So, this means that for children who are in the system, it’s become quite difficult to exit. In 2018, the Children’s Home Society of Virginia indicated that 21% of older children make up the foster care system in the state, while the nation as a whole is at 16%.

Aging Out

According to the 2014 federal fiscal year data, Virginia children and youth exiting the foster care system due to age or “emancipation”, amounted to one fifth. A wide array of transitional services are offered in the state for these individuals, but are only available in certain areas, making them unattainable for some.

Fostering Futures

In 2016, Virginia took note of the importance of extending foster care by following 23 other states in the effort, and formalizing these plans with the use of federal funding. With the implementation of Virginia’s Fostering Futures, a program for those in the foster care system who are turning 18 and transitioning into adulthood, youth in the state are now allowed to remain in the system until they are 21 years of age, if they choose to do so.