There are two programs available to relatives who are taking custody of children who have been in foster care. Both programs must be in place prior to the transfer of custody.
The Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KinGAP) is available to eligible relative custodian(s). If all the eligibility criteria are met, the relative custodian(s) are provided financial support from the day the court transfers custody to them until the youth turns 18, or until they turn 21, if eligible.
For those kinship caregivers ineligible for KinGAP, the State-Funded Kinship Subsidy Program facilitates placements with relatives and ensures permanency for children. If all the eligibility criteria are met, the relative custodian(s) are provided financial support from the day the court transfers custody to them until the youth turns 18.
Services will depend on the child and family’s needs. Financial assistance, respite, and childcare, are all available services.
In Virginia, programs specific to teenagers in foster care are below. Eligibility for the programs, are as follows:
Support for Teens and Young Adults ages 14 and older in Foster Care: The federal John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood provides states with funding and laws to support youth in foster care as they approach adulthood. In order to meet the individual needs of each youth, local departments of social services are required to help the youth create a transition plan. This is a written document that includes an overview of skills, knowledge, resources and competencies necessary for adult living. When developed, the plan will specify in writing the goals for the youth, what all team members will do to achieve the goals and the services activities and supports that will be provided to help “the youth” (not “you”) transition to adulthood. Learn More.
Foster My Future Website - Fostering Futures is a foster care program available to teens and young adults in foster care after they turn 18. This voluntary program allows local departments of social services (LDSS) to provide youth with financial and social support and services until they are 21 years old. It can cover things like housing (with foster parents, room and board at school, or supervised independent living when youth are ready), education and/or job training assistance, and other independent living needs. Included on this website is information about the Educational and Training Voucher (ETV) program for youth in care, which assists teens and young adults, who are in foster care or were formerly in foster care with post-secondary education and training expenses.
Great Expectations - Great Expectations is a nationally recognized program that helps Virginia’s foster youth earn the postsecondary credentials they need to achieve an independent and successful life. Great Expectations is currently available at 21 of Virginia’s Community Colleges.
Great Expectations helps Virginia’s foster youth complete high school, gain access to a community college education and transition successfully from the foster care system to living independently. Key components include:
Project LIFE - Project LIFE trains youth and adults on the importance of youth-adult partnerships (YAPs) and how to effectively maintain a YAP in order to generate change. Over 3,000 older youth have been prepared for adulthood through the provision of independent living activities and training opportunities. In 2018, UMFS touched the lives of 13,772 high-risk children and family members in 173 communities statewide. Project LIFE partnered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to launch an official Youth MOVE chapter in the central region. Project LIFE offers advocacy opportunities including youth presence at the General Assembly to support the passing of Fostering Futures, youth involvement on VDSS statewide committees and workgroups, and support with the development of Virginia’s Youth Advisory Council, SPEAKOUT.
Caregivers must utilize the Reasonable and Prudent Parent standards when making decisions regarding the activities of the foster youth in their care which means careful and sensible parental decisions which ensure the child's health, safety, and best interest while at the same time encouraging the child's emotional and developmental growth, including participation in extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities. See a link to more information contained in the Providing Normalcy for Youth in Foster Care resource guide. Additionally, caregivers can access a training course through VDSS titled "CWSE3030: Normalcy for Youth in Foster".
As a kinship foster parent, you have a right to be involved in case planning meetings prior to goal changes. The primary foster care goals are reunification with parents or a prior guardian, relative placement and adoption of the youth(s) once parental rights have been terminated.
There are multiple ways that a kinship provider can help with the goal and permanency being achieved. The court could transfer custody of the child to a kinship care provider. The local department of social services, who has custody of the child, could approve the kinship care provider as a foster parent. The kinship care provider, who is an approved foster parent, may be able to adopt the child if the court terminates the rights of the child’s parents and approves the goal of adoption. The kinship care provider, who is an approved foster parent, may become permanent legal custodian and receive continuing financial support through the Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KinGAP). Relatives can also assist in finding other family members and friends who can step in to support the child or youth. See the Kinship Care Brochure.
Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) means to end the legal rights, duties, privileges, and responsibilities between a parent and their child(ren) permanently. Once the legal relationship has been terminated, the parent, has no legal right to influence the child’s religion, schooling, or healthcare, and the child is legally available for adoption with the purpose of finding a stable, permanent family environment that can meet the child's long-term parenting needs.
A major benefit to kinship adoption is that children do not have to sever the emotional bond they have with a parent and other biological family members completely. Relatives can help children stay safely connected to their parents, as well as their family's traditions, religion, and culture. This can also occur with adoption by non-relatives; however, it is sometimes more difficult for a stranger to understand the child's need for birth family connections.
Start by talking with the Family Services Specialist and/or their supervisor. If you don't have the contact information for your LDSS, please see the LDSS directory. You can also elevate your concern by talking to the director of your local department of social services. If you are still not satisfied with the decision, you may connect by calling (804) 726-7000 and ask for the DFS Constituent Services Unit or email: citizen.services@dss.virginia.gov For issues regarding foster parenting and collaboration, communication, access, and transparency, call 833-TELL 2FC (833-835-5232).
Additionally, the Office of the Children’s Ombudsman (OCO) has statutory authority to investigate complaints involving children who are alleged to have been abused or neglected, are receiving child protective services, are in foster care, or are placed for adoption.
It is a priority to keep siblings together in foster care whenever possible. If you have questions about the care of siblings, be sure to discuss them with the foster care worker. Foster Care Guidance states that “diligent efforts shall be made to place together all siblings who enter care at or near the same time unless there are specific safety and/or well-being issues including: one or more of the siblings has therapeutic needs that require specialized placement, or medical needs that require specialized placement or demonstrated inappropriate sexual behavior that necessitates a more restrictive placement.”
Find information about what a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) is and does in matters before the court here.
Find information about the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program, what it is and what CASA volunteers do here.
This Chart provides the timeline and related court forms for Juvenile and Domestic Relationship District Courts Child Dependency Cases.
This website provides information on the Children’s Services Act and the Office of Children’s Services, who are responsible for providing funding to support services for eligible youth and their families.