Formed Families Forward is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting families formed through foster care, adoption and kinship care in the Northern Virginia area.  Our mission is to improve developmental, educational, social, emotional and post-secondary outcomes for children and youth with disabilities and other special needs through provision of information, training and support.

Formed Families Forward provides consultation and support to families and agency personnel to help them meet the special educational needs of their children and youth. Short-term phone and in-person consultations are available at no cost to adoptive, foster and kinship families and to child welfare and education professionals in northern Virginia. We also host Stronger Together peer support groups for youth and young adults ages 14-22, and for parents and caregivers of children with special needs. Groups are facilitated by professional clinicians.

Formed Families Forward offers education, disability, trauma and other resources designed specifically for foster, adoptive and kinship families. We make linkages to other agencies and organizations and offer support in navigating systems and resources.

Formed Families Forward staff and volunteers have helped to make this and previous editions of the Directory possible. We thank Gail Brodfuehrer, Melissa Dolberg, Jeana Adams and Anne Havlovick for their efforts over the years. Jenn Paul is the editor of this and recent editions of the Directory.

This Directory and other work of Formed Families Forward is made possible, in part, through tax-deductible donations. Contributions may be made through our website, FormedFamiliesForward.org.