Join Virginia's Faster Families Highway

Foster families are needed now more than ever to support family reunification and provide children who enter foster care with opportunities to remain connected to their families and home communities. In order to connect prospective foster parents with their local departments of social services, Virginia has established the Faster Families Highway. By creating an account, you’ll be put on the fastest pathway to becoming a foster parent and beginning your journey of supporting children and families in your local community.

EVERY CHILD DESERVES FAMILY – THE BEST ONE IS THEIR OWN

When children can't be safely with their parents, they need caring adults to step in. Whether you're interested in fostering, kinship care or adoption, there's a place for you in a child's story.

Being a Resource Parent

In Virginia, resource parent refers to caregivers who are dually licensed to foster and adopt children.

They provide temporary safety and stability while children's families work toward reunification. Resource parents keep children connected to their families during times of crisis.

You Should Know:

Reunification with a child’s family is the primary goal.
You don't need to be married, own a home or have children already to foster a child.
Training, financial support and caseworker assistance are provided.

A FOSTER FAMILY'S STORY

Ashley and Jon Lyttle are foster parents who live in Virginia. In this video, they explain their roles as foster parents and what it's like to care for children who need stability, guidance, and a loving home until they can be reunited with their family.

VIRGINIA'S CHILDREN AND FAMILIES NEED YOU

KINSHIP CARE

Kinship care is a way for Virginia’s children to stay connected to family when they are unable to live with their parents. When children enter foster care, relatives often can become a kinship foster parent. Kinship care can reduce trauma, promote stability, and maintain family and cultural connections.

BECOMING A FOSTER PARENT

Foster parents keep children connected to their families as parents follow steps to achieve reunification. Join the Faster Families Highway to start your foster parent journey and get connected with your local department of social services. Once you create an account on the Highway, you'll be taken through a 6-step process to determine your readiness to become a foster parent.

30 WAYS TO SUPPORT THE FOSTER CARE COMMUNITY

Our "30 Ways to Support" portal offers actionable ways to help foster families and youth in care throughout Virginia, from mentorship and donations to respite care and advocacy.