This webinar, originally broadcast live on May 8, 2024 and hosted by Formed Families Forward, provides an overview of foster care in Virginia. Veteran DSS caseworker Shawn Nashwinter and foster/adoptive parent Melissa Lebling share specifics on training, eligibility and approval for foster or resource parents and address common questions.
Webinar Slides
Webinar recording
Families Rising (formerly NACAC) has compiled information about subsidies/adoption assistance by state.
Resources on adoption assistance
This Child Welfare Information Gateway fact sheet for families describes how adoption assistance in the form of subsidies may help make adoption possible for families who are considering adopting a child from foster care. The factsheet explores how to secure financial assistance and adoption tax credits and how to use a State’s fair hearings process to challenge decisions related to such assistance. It also includes information on deferring adoption assistance and suggests helpful resources.
Adoption Assistance
Social Security Advisory Board statement on the Supplemental Security Income program
The Social Security Administration was asked to conduct a comprehensive review of the children’s SSI program. In 2014, this review looked specifically at children in the foster care system. This report offers some clarification of income and eligibility requirements across programs.
This research brief  presents information on post-adoption supports and services including adoption subsidy payments, and Medicaid coverage, and other services such as support groups for parents and children.
From the US HHS, Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE).
2013 Policy Clarification from U.S. Department of Education re: excluding extended foster care payments as income on FAFSA can be viewed here.
Information sheet on the Virginia Adoption Assistance Program, from the Virginia Department of Social Services.
Information Sheet on Virginia Assistance Programs