Foster Care

Presented by the Virginia Department of Social Services and the Virginia Department of Education.  For additional information on this topic, visit the Enrollment of Students in Foster Care page on the Virginia Department of Education website.

Foster Care Points of Contact

Annual Regional Trainings - Foster Care - these trainings are free and open to all school staff, LDSS, LCPAs, and anyone interested in supporting students in foster care.  Liaisons - feel free to invite your supervisors, school counselors, school social workers, and anyone who works with foster care (administrative assistants, case managers, or your back ups), as well as local or community partners

  • Educational Stability for Children & Youth in Foster Care, Part 1 • August 21, 2023 • 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm • Virtual • Register Here
  • Educational Stability for Children & Youth in Foster Care, Part 2 • August 30, 2023 • 10:00 am - 12:00 pm • Virtual • Register Here
  • Educational Stability for Children & Youth in Foster Care, Part 1 • September 25, 2023 • 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm • Virtual • Register Here
  • Educational Stability for Children & Youth in Foster Care, Part 2 • October 2, 2023 • 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm • Virtual • Register Here

Guidance & Forms

  • US Department of Education - Health & Human Services Non-Regulatory Guidance [pdf]
  • The following forms are available through the Virginia Department of Education or by contacting us:
    • Virginia Department of Social Services - Virginia Department of Education Joint Guidance 
      • FC/ESSA Form A-17, Notice of Student Receiving Foster Care Services and Request for Best Interest Determination Participation Form
      • FC/ESSA Form B-17, Best Interest Determination for Foster Care School Placement Form
      • FC/ESSA Form C-17, Immediate Enrollment of Student in Foster Care Form [Word]
      • FC/ESSA Form D-17, Best Interest Determination Process Educational Input from Residential Treatment Centers Form
  • Superintendent’s Memo #324-17 Educational Stability for Students in Foster Care, Updated Virginia Joint Guidance to Align With the Every Student Succeeds Act and the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 with link to [doc] Joint Guidance

Contact us for more information on currently available training opportunities.

Federal Legislation Foster Care Contacts for Bordering States
  • North Carolina - listing is at the bottom of page under "Contact the North Carolina Foster Care Program"