February 2026

VDSS Launches Stories from Foster Families Series

A new Virginia Department of Social Services video series is highlighting the real experiences of foster families across Virginia. The campaign, Stories from Foster Families: Notes Passed with Love, includes six individual videos featuring families from around the Commonwealth sharing their journeys, challenges, and triumphs.

The highlighted stories offer a powerful way for prospective foster parents to hear directly from families who have walked this path, see themselves in the stories, and consider fostering. They reflect Virginia’s commitment to kinship first, family reunification, and ensuring children remain connected to the people they love. Please check out and share these videos with folks you know who might be interested in foster care.

Learn More

Featured Community Events and Webinars

Monthly Foster Care Information Meeting, Feb. 10, 6:45-8:30 p.m. To attend a meeting and learn more about foster care, first complete a short interest form to help us get to know you better, and you will be contacted promptly by one of our specialists.

Heart & Mind: Using SEL Insights to Build Belonging and Resilience - Part 2 Trauma Informed Series. Feb. 11, 10-11:30 a.m. hosted by Fairfax County Public Schools Family Resource Center. Building on the positive impact protective factors have on stress and trauma, this webinar deepens the focus on social-emotional learning (SEL) as the foundation for student engagement and success. The session highlights how feeling safe, seen, and valued at home and school serves as the springboard upon which SEL skills are built. Using accessible, brain-based concepts, families will explore emotional regulation and gain practical strategies to strengthen connection and support their child’s social-emotional growth over time.

You Can't Pour From an Empty Cup: Tips for Self-Care Friday, February 27, 10-11:30 a.m.
One of a series hosted by Fairfax County Public Schools Family Resource Center, presented by Formed Families Forward.
Join licensed clinical social worker and kinship caregiver Dr. Monique Lilakos to learn more about stress management and self-care.

people around a table with text training and development

Featured Trainings/Conferences for Resource Parents and Youth

Know Your Worth: Defining Your Relationship Values. In person Feb. 10, 5 –7 p.m. Or Virtual via Zoom, Feb. 18, 5 – 7 p.m. An Independent Living workshop for youth ages 14 and older in Fairfax County Foster Care or Fostering Futures. Join us for an engaging and empowering workshop designed to help YOU reflect on your personal life values and the qualities you seek in healthy relationships. Contact us to register in advance!

Foster-to-Adopt, Feb. 18 & 25, 6:30-9 p.m. Virtual via Zoom. (2 mandatory sessions). Identify adoption challenges, define the unique roles of foster parenting and adoptive parenting, discuss the financial side of adoption, and more. 5 hours of training credit. Register by Feb. 13.

Mental Health First Aid presented by the Fairfax/Falls Church Community Service Board. March 10 and 11, 5–8:30 p.m. Virtual via Zoom. Learn the signs, symptoms, and risk factors of mental health problems in youth and how to help. 10 hours of training credit. Preregister online by Feb. 9.

See other training opportunities offered through our partners the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition, etc. online.

teen and man on Youth mental health first aid ad

Resource Parents – Understand and Respond to Mental Health Crises Better

Research consistently shows that youth with foster care experience (FCE) face significantly higher rates of mental health challenges than their peers in the general population. To counteract this trend, we are offering Youth Mental Health First Aid tailored for our resource parents, Tuesday, March 10 and Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 5 – 8:30 p.m., virtually via Zoom. Learn more about the training.

Unit Success Story: Caring Foster Family Helps Youth to Make Her Dreams a Reality

Lily entered the foster care system at 15 years old — shy, scared, unable to speak English, and facing the prospect of repeating the 9th grade. A caring foster family and a team of supportive foster care practitioners made a huge difference that is still having a ripple effect in Lily’s life and the lives of others she touches. Learn more about this remarkable young woman and her journey to becoming an educator.

Developing Best Practices to Improve Outcomes for Young Adults Experiencing Foster Care

Learn how Julie Bowman, our Foster Care and Adoption program manager, contributed to the creation of a national playbook as a resource for best practices and change for youth. Each section of the playbook focuses on an area of support for young people moving through the child welfare system, such as employment, housing, permanency, and health. Learn more about this joint effort of the National Collaborative for Transition-Age Youth.

person with calculator and tax paperwork

Tax Deductions for Foster and Adoptive Parents

There have been some significant changes to the tax law impacting foster and adoptive parents. We’re not tax experts, but we’ve compiled some highlights about the 2025 Adoption Tax Credit and dependent and qualifying child rules. Check it out.

Foster Parent Research Participants Wanted

Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University are seeking foster parents to complete a survey regarding their experiences caring for children and youth in foster care. The study seeks to better understand the experience of being a foster parent, including motivation to become a foster parent, and resources that are helpful. Learn more and complete the interest form. Please direct questions to the study leaders at 804-628-8772.

There are a lot of misconceptions and questions about foster care, foster parents, and the children and families involved. This section aims to dispel some of those notions and provide clarity for those interested in supporting foster care. Check out more content online in the February newsletter.

Foster Care Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the court/administrative process take for reunification, termination of parental rights and adoption?

Answer: Reunification: The initial court process to work toward reunification or relative placement is one year. However, this time can be extended for a variety of reasons...

Termination of Parental Rights: A third foster care hearing, known as the permanency planning hearing, occurs within five months of the foster care review hearing and within 11 months of the date to either establish a permanent goal or defer through an interim plan. This can lead to a second hearing within six months...

Adoption: After the court approves the termination of parental rights, cases are reviewed by the court on an annual basis. The purpose of these hearings is to monitor the progress toward the goal of achieving permanency through adoption. In addition, six-month adoption progress reports are sent to the court and all parties on the case. The permanency timeline for finalizing an adoption is 24 months from the time a child enters foster care...

Read the full answers or check out other FAQs.