RD197 - Report on Adoption of Children in Foster Care - July 2014


Executive Summary:
Item 341 (G) (1) and (2) of the 2013 Appropriation Act provides:

(1) "Out of this appropriation, $828,734 the first year from federal funds and $1,500,000 the second year from the general funds shall be provided to implement pilot programs that increase the number of foster care children adopted."

(2) "Beginning October 1, 2013, the department shall provide a quarterly report, within 30 days of quarter end, on the use and effectiveness of this funding including, but not limited to, the additional number of special needs children adopted from foster care as a result of this effort and the types of ongoing supportive services provided to the Governor, Chairmen of House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees, and the Director, Department of Planning and Budget."

This is the fourth report provided by the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) and details activities for the fourth quarter of State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2014. There were 665 finalized adoptions that resulted from adoption matches made in 2013. This included 448 adoptions finalized on or before December 31, 2013, and 208 adoptions finalized in 2014. Ninety-four local departments of social services (LDSS) reported having children in their care who were eligible for adoption in 2014. Between March 1, 2014 and June 30, 2014, 375 adoption matches were made, according to reports from 116 localities.

The bulk of the new adoption appropriation from the 2013 General Assembly was allocated to funding three new initiatives that meet the intent of the appropriation. Using the Request for Proposals (RFP) process, funds were awarded to agencies that developed innovative approaches to encourage more families to adopt Virginia's waiting youth and to support those families who have adopted children from foster care.