New Foster Care Laws in Virginia
Recent reports on the unfavorable state of foster care in Virginia spurred members of the General Assembly on both sides of the aisle to move on foster care reform this year. New laws that went into effect July 1, 2019 include:
- Requiring court oversight and providing due process for parents whose children are diverted from foster care.
- Limiting use of group homes or treatment centers for foster children.
- A foster care “omnibus” bill adding state oversight with additional staffers to carry out oversight and support.
- Helping children in foster care retain connections to birth parents, even after adoption, by requiring foster children to receive information about the law.
- Protecting the credit of foster children who are especially vulnerable to identity theft. Ten percent of foster children nationwide have damaged credit because of identity theft.
- Adding four-year public colleges to those offering free tuition to foster youth. Previously, only community colleges were required to offer this.
This article posting is part of the Foster Family News monthly newsletter designed to keep foster parents informed about all the new and notable happenings in Fairfax County.
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