Virginia task force reshaping the foster care system
Work to reshape the foster care system continues as Virginia faces the same struggle other states have, not enough foster homes for the children who need one.
Children's Mental Health & Foster Care Transformation (The Safe and Sound Task Force)
Transformation Impact
Virginia's foster care system became increasingly overwhelmed by the exacerbation of children's mental health crises coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, hundreds of children in the foster care system had slept in offices, ERs, and hotels unnecessarily. The team decreased the average number of children sleeping in these conditions by 89%, and they are continuing their work to not only eliminate that practice in Virginia but go upstream to transform the entire system.
News Articles
Finding foster children homes instead of sleeping on office couches, hotels
Kids in Crisis is a 10 News investigation looking into several aspects of the Virginia foster care system.
Governor Youngkin Announces Safe and Sound Task Force to End Practice of Kids Sleeping in Local Government Offices
Virginians who want to skip the check-in line at their next visit to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) are invited to schedule an appointment.