These webpages identify external resources on specific topics of interest to foster, kinship and adoptive families.
Signed into law in February 2018, the Family First Prevention Act reforms child welfare funding streams and focuses on prevention supports for families “at risk” of foster care, and adds supports for kinship navigation and other kinship initiatives.
Summary by First Focus Campaign for Children
Child traumatic stress refers to the physical and emotional responses of a child to events that threaten the life or physical integrity of the child or of someone critically important to the child (such as a parent or sibling). Traumatic events can overwhelm a child’s capacity to cope. Children may feel terror and powerlessness; they may act out. The fact sheet provides information to understand the types of trauma, potential responses to the trauma and ways to support a child who has experienced trauma.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) information on who is considered “Parent” for financial aid.
If you are considered a dependent student for FAFSA® purposes, you will need to provide information about your legal parent(s) on the application. A legal parent is your biological or adoptive parent, or your legal parent as determined by the state (for example, if the parent is listed on your birth certificate). If you have a stepparent currently married to your legal parent, you generally also must provide information about him or her.
More info and how to apply
Virginia Code section regarding enrolling kinship children in school: § 22.1-3. Persons to whom public schools shall be free.
Virginia Code § 22.1-3
Kinship Care and School Enrollment in Virginia, report for the Virginia Commission on Youth.
Introduction to Power of Attorney including answering what is a Power of Attorney, what are the benefits of executing (completing and signing) a Power of Attorney.
Instructions for Power Of Attorney including steps for the agent to perform.
Introduction to Powers of Attorney
Instructions for Power Of Attorney
The National Resource Center for Diligent Recruitment, NRCDR website closed on September 29, 2017. The NRCDR website is not being maintained but resources on diligent recruitment remain available.
Supporting Kinship Caregivers Podcast Series from Child Welfare Information Gateway.
Link to streaming services to listen to part 1 & part 2 of the podcast, or get the transcripts.
Part 1 Website
Transcript Part 1
Part 2 Website
Transcript Part 2
This 2015 toolkit from the Foster Family-based Treatment Association offers an overview of treatment foster care by kinship caregivers.
Presented live on November 18, 2020 by Wendy Wegman from Tourette Association of America. This 6th webinar in Formed Families Forward’s Facing Fall series covered prevalence and characteristics of Tourette Syndrome and other tic disorders. The presentation shared information about co-occurring disorders including ADHD, OCD and other mental health conditions. Ms. Wegman also covered strategies for accommodating special needs during virtual learning.
Slides and a handout from the presentation are provided here.
Session handout
Webinar presentation slides
This booklet provides an overview of Sensory Deprivation or Sensory Processing Disorder. Based on the work of Carol Kranowitz and Karyn Purvis, information on definition, origins, detection & diagnosis, and treatment are included.
Kinship Adoption: Meeting the Unique Needs of a Growing Population, from Child Focus.
In Loving Arms: The Protective Role of Grandparents and Other Relatives in Raising Children Exposed to Trauma
Full report
Effects of Attachment and Sensory Integration by Owen, Kennedy & Peterson.
2014 Spring Forward breakout “Parent Child Interaction Therapy” by Lori Day and Elizabeth Adams.