In the News
Washington Post: Foster teens ready to tell city council how to fix system
Click here to read more about how teenagers in foster care are lending their voices to help fix the system.
Governing Magazine: Accountability Comes to Human Services
After years of resistance, evidence-based practices have arrived in the health and human services communities. Click here to read more about how Virginia is a leaders in this movement.
Discussing the Number of Children in VA Foster Care-
WHSV-TV3: http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/79547487.html
Leaving a Legacy; Focusing on Permanency
Continuing their legacy of working to improve the lives of children and families, Governor Timothy M. Kaine and First Lady Anne Holton opened the first Governor’s Conference on Children’s Services Transformation on Dec. 16.
Since the Transformation began in December 2007, more children are being placed in loving, permanent families. The number of children in congregate care has been reduced by 42% statewide in just two years.
During opening remarks, Virginia’s Attorney General, Bill Mims, read a letter from Governor-elect, Bob McDonnell, commending children’s services stakeholders for their dedication and congratulating them on their successes. Read the entire letter here.
Visit the conference website for details.
In photo: First Lady Anne Holton and Virginia's Attorney General Bill Mims at the Governor's Conference on Children's Services Transformation.
Numbers Improve for CORE Localities
Since the Children’s Services System Transformation began in December of 2007, the number of children in congregate care has been reduced by 42% statewide. This decrease means that there are 810 fewer children in group care than when the Transformation began. CORE localities have reduced their group care population by almost 50%.
See results here.
1 in 5 Kids.org: The Campaign for Children's Mental Health
On December 1st, Voice for Virginia's Children launched The Campaign for Children’s Mental Health; a 3-year sustained effort to make mental health services more available and accessible to the children in Virginia who need them, regardless of where the children live or what “system” identifies their needs. To learn more about this exciting new campaign to help improve outcomes for children and families in Virginia visit the website at www.1in5kids.org
"Bridging the Gap" Between Birth and Foster Parents
Children in foster care have a more positive experience if their birth parents and foster parents work together to ensure that the children feel loved and comfortable in their out-of-home placement.
Successes in Increasing Reunification: Norfolk Department of Human Services
The Norfolk Department of Human Services (NDHS) has focused on the needs of the entire family and lending support to the family unit itself. This, in part, explains the 51% increase of children being reunited with their families between 2007 and 2009. NDHS has been committed to engaging families early and providing services needed to preserve them. To read more, click here (PDF.)
Special Advisor Presentation - Ray Ratke
On Thursday, October 22nd Special Advisor on Children’s Services Ray Ratke presented to the Health and Human Services Subcommittee of the Senate Finance Committee on the progress of the Children’s Services System Transformation. To see his presentation, click here (pdf).
- Holton Helps Foster Kids Find Connections
With First Lady Anne Holton leading the charge, the fate of children in foster care in Virginia has improved dramatically in the past four years.
- Foster Kids 'Aging Out' Too Soon?
Only 3% of foster children graduate from a four-year college. 20% end up homeless and 25% become incarcerated. Foster care children who age out at 18 may not have the foundation that helps kids.
- The fate of children in foster care in Virginia has improved dramatically. Read the article here (pdf).
- “Better Outcomes for Children and Families, Better Government.” Transformation featured in September issue of County Connections. Read the article here (pdf).
"Adopted teenager is system success story" from the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star.