Adopting from Foster Care
At Children’s Home Society of Virginia, we believe every child — no matter their age — deserves a permanent, loving family. We partner with local departments of social services to find families for youth and sibling groups in foster care. These amazing kids have hopes, dreams, and so much potential, but they need stability, guidance, and the unconditional support that only a family can provide.
Children’s Home Society trains and supports families to understand trauma, its impact on development, and how to navigate related challenges. We keep adoption costs reasonable to help place children—especially older youth from foster care—in the right, loving homes. While misconceptions exist, adopting an older child is often easier than many expect.
Visit our How To Adopt/FAQ page for more specifics about foster care adoption and our application requirements.
To meet some of our waiting children, click here.
Step 1:
Submit an Online Inquiry
Reaching out to us online is now easier than ever with our new online forms! Click the button below to get started on your online inquiry.
Step 2:
Attend a Virtual Orientation Session
During the session, families speak with a social worker, review resources, and can register for parent training. Completing an orientation helps families learn about adoption from foster care, explore their motivations, and understand the needs of children with a trauma history.
Step 3:
Pre-Service Training Series
The best way to prepare for adopting from foster care is through education. CHS provides families with intensive training on topics such as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), trauma and its impact on the brain, attachment and bonding, stages of child development, the importance of permanency, and Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI). The training series combines self-guided virtual modules with live sessions.
Step 4:
Home Study & Paperwork
In Virginia, state law requires families to have an approved home study to adopt a child. Following training, families may submit an application for a home study. The home study process allows CHS to gather information about you so that we can match you with a child whose needs you are equipped to meet.
The process will further educate and prepare you for adoption as we determine together your readiness to adopt. The home study is comprised of at least three interviews with a CHS social worker, including a visit to your home. Our social workers will request criminal background checks, a search of the child abuse registry, DMV records, medical and financial histories, and personal references.
Step 5:
Matching
Once approved, families enter a waiting period to be matched with a child. Using a child-centered approach, CHS carefully considers each child’s needs, background, and preferences to ensure each match supports long-term stability and well-being.
By assessing and preparing both the children and prospective families, we strive to build loving, supportive connections that are set up for success.
Step 6:
Placement Support
Once the child has moved into your home, you will have at least six months of supervision by the DSS agency. The child remains in DSS custody until the adoption is legally finalized. Once a child is placed with a family, we provide ongoing support to ensure a smooth transition and help build strong, lasting connections.
Our post-placement services include regular home visits, coaching, resource connection, and access to support groups. We work closely with families to address any challenges, celebrate milestones, and ensure that both the child and caregivers feel prepared and supported throughout the post-placement process.
Step 7:
Finalization!
Congratulations, your adoption is final and approved by the courts. You can continue to receive post-adoption supports through our Post Adoption program.
To learn more about adoption at CHS, review our Frequently Asked Questions here or contact the Foster Care & Adoption Program Manager at [email protected] or (804) 353-0191, option 4.
To learn more about the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program, please visit the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption website.
CHS’ WWK recruiter, Krista, has been working to match youth still waiting in Virginia’s foster care system with families for over a decade!
You can email [email protected] or call Krista at (804) 353-0191.
