RD95 - Report on Adoption of Children in Foster Care - January 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 second report provided by the Department of Social Services (Department) and details activities for the second quarter ofFY2014. At the end of 2013, 1,031 children had been matched to their adoptive families, a testament to the successes of the VAdopts Campaign.

The bulk of the new adoption appropriation from the 2013 General Assembly has been allocated to funding three new initiatives that meet the intent of the appropriation. All three RFP's 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.