Virginia is home to more than 750 children who are currently in need of permanent and loving forever families. These children, of different ages and races, have been placed into foster care through no fault of their own. With the aim of raising awareness about their situation and finding them loving homes, 10 News has launched a campaign called “30 Days of Hope,” featuring the stories of one child in need each day throughout the month of November.
Roanoke City, in particular, has the highest number of children in foster care across Virginia, with 262 children currently in the system. Lynchburg and Roanoke County also rank among the top 10 locations for the highest number of children in foster care. This alarming statistic has raised concerns among agencies throughout the region.
According to Gwen Coleman, the director of human and social services for Roanoke City, the high numbers of children in foster care in Roanoke can be attributed to several factors. The presence of public housing, a bus line, and higher rates of substance abuse, mental health issues, and domestic violence in the community may contribute to the higher number of families in need of intensive services or public assistance, resulting in more children being placed in foster care.
To address this issue, agencies in Virginia, including those in Roanoke, Lynchburg, and Franklin County, are piloting a program called Kin First Now. This program aims to prioritize kinship care placements, where children are placed with relatives, teachers, coaches, or church members they already have a relationship with. Research suggests that children in kinship care tend to fare better and experience fewer disruptions compared to those placed in unfamiliar foster homes.
The Kin First Now program involves urgent efforts to identify and engage family members and other familiar individuals in the child’s life. By keeping children in their own culture and community, these placements provide a sense of stability and familiarity that can have a positive impact on their well-being.
Efforts are being made statewide to increase the percentage of children in kinship placements. Currently, only 13 percent of children in foster care in Virginia are in kinship placements. The goal is to raise this figure to 35 percent by July 2025.
If you are interested in learning more about foster care and adoption, including the qualifications, cost, and required training, you can find a list of frequently asked questions on the VDSS Division of Family Services website.
By coming together as a community and prioritizing kinship care, we can provide more children in Virginia with stable and loving homes, giving them the support they need to thrive and succeed in life.
FAQ
Q: What is the goal of the “30 Days of Hope” campaign?
A: The goal of the “30 Days of Hope” campaign is to raise awareness about the situation of children in foster care in Virginia and find them permanent and loving forever families.
Q: Why does Roanoke City have the highest number of children in foster care in Virginia?
A: There are several factors that contribute to Roanoke City having the highest number of children in foster care in Virginia, including the presence of public housing, a bus line, and higher rates of substance abuse, mental health issues, and domestic violence in the community.
Q: What is Kin First Now?
A: Kin First Now is a program being piloted in Virginia that prioritizes kinship care placements for children in foster care. These placements involve placing children with relatives, teachers, coaches, or church members they already have a relationship with.
Q: Why are kinship care placements beneficial for children?
A: Research suggests that children in kinship care placements tend to fare better and experience fewer disruptions compared to those placed in unfamiliar foster homes. These placements provide children with a sense of stability, familiarity, and connection to their own culture and community.
Q: What is the current percentage of children in kinship placements in Virginia?
A: Currently, only 13 percent of children in foster care in Virginia are in kinship placements. The goal is to increase this percentage to 35 percent by July 2025.