Foster parenting is accepting a child into your care who might have been abused or neglected or who might need a temporary home. The foster parent is a temporary caregiver for a child whose goal is to return home or to be placed with a relative. A foster parent works with a team of people (the social worker, therapist, teachers, and the child's family, to name a few) to assist this child. Being a foster parent is both rewarding and challenging.

How to Become a Foster Parent

Contact us by emailing fosterparenting@nnva.gov or calling 757-926-6283.

Who Can Be a Foster Parent

• Married or single
• 21 years of age or older
• Have enough income to meet their own expenses
• Able to provide a safe, healthy home with enough space for a child
• Willing to be a part of a team with the agency, child's family, schools, and others
• Willing to attend preservice training and ongoing training
• No history of involvement with social services
• No criminal record
• Have a working telephone and transportation and be willing to take child to appointments

Benefits

• Being able to experience the joy and importance of providing a stable and caring environment for a child
• Helping a child feel safe and secure
• Helping a child's self-esteem
• Becoming a part of a professional team whose goal is to provide support and care to vulnerable children

Challenges

• Knowing that being a foster parent is temporary and that saying goodbye is not always easy
• Working with birth parents toward returning the child home
• Helping recruit other families willing to foster children
• Knowing that your life and your family's life might need to be rearranged to accommodate the needs of the foster child
• Realizing that being a foster parent is a big step for you and your family

Approval Process

Each applicant must:

• Complete training
• Complete FBI and Child Protective Services checks
• Provide current TB tests
• Provide two references
• Complete a home study

Additional Information

• Virginia Department of Social Services