November is National Adoption Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of adoption and the need for nurturing, stable homes for children and teens. Each year, National Adoption Month focuses on a unique theme to highlight a specific aspect of the adoption process. This year’s theme, “Honoring Youth: Strengthening Pathways for Lasting Bonds,” emphasizes the value of youth-centered approaches prioritizing the voices, experiences, and well-being of children and adolescents in the foster care and adoption system.
Honoring youth means actively listening to their needs, preferences, and dreams. It involves a commitment to creating lifelong connections that provide a safe home and a solid foundation for future growth, stability, and happiness.
This National Adoption Month, communities, agencies, and families are encouraged to explore ways to strengthen adoption pathways by building support networks and understanding the unique experiences of young people in the system.
Adoption in Virginia: Building Lasting Bonds for Youth in Foster Care and Preventing the Challenges of Aging Out
In Virginia, there is an urgent need to focus on this theme, as hundreds of children and teenagers are waiting for permanent homes. For these young people, adoption can mean the difference between thriving in a supportive environment or facing the challenges that come with aging out of the foster care system.
In Virginia, there are approximately 4,800 children in foster care on any given day, with nearly 700 of them waiting for adoption. Many of these children are older youth, often siblings or teens with unique needs, who are at a higher risk of not being adopted. Aging out of the system is a real and present risk for youth who are not adopted, as each year, hundreds of Virginia teens turn 18 and must leave foster care without the safety net of a permanent family. This lack of a supportive family structure leaves young people to navigate the complexities of adulthood alone, making them more vulnerable to housing instability, unemployment, and limited access to higher education.
The impact of aging out without a permanent home is profound. Statistics show that nationally, one in five youth who age out of foster care experience homelessness within a year. Additionally, only about 50% of former foster youth find employment by age 24, and fewer than 3% will obtain a college degree. In Virginia, as in other states, the challenges of leaving foster care without a support system are compounded by a lack of affordable housing, limited job opportunities, and barriers to continuing education. For these young adults, the transition can be overwhelming and isolating.
Virginia has been making strides in creating programs to support youth who age out, but these efforts alone aren’t enough. Adoption remains one of the most effective pathways to lasting stability, security, and connection. Families provide the essential support that young people need as they transition into adulthood, and the love and encouragement they receive in a permanent home play a critical role in their personal development and future success. National Adoption Month is an opportunity to encourage more Virginia families to consider adoption and highlight how building lasting bonds with youth can change lives.
If you’re interested in adopting in Virginia, there are numerous resources to help you get started. Together, we can honor the resilience of Virginia’s youth and strengthen the pathways that lead them to secure permanency.
Below, we highlight several frequently asked questions about adoption and our adoption process.
Your Adoption Questions Answered: Everything You Need to Know About the Adoption Process
How much does it cost to adopt a child in Virginia?
Our training classes are offered at $150 per person, and the home study is provided at a discounted rate of $1,500.
What are the requirements for adopting a child in Virginia?
- Virginia’s requirements aim to ensure that children are placed in safe, loving homes with parents who are prepared to meet their needs.
- There is a preference for adoptive parents to be at least 25 years old.
- While Virginia has no strict residency requirement, prospective parents must complete a home study and demonstrate that they can provide a stable environment. It doesn’t matter whether you rent or own, live in an apartment, a house, or a mobile home; all you need is a clean and safe home.
- Although adoptive parents do not need to be wealthy, they must show they can meet the financial demands of raising a child. This is assessed as part of the home study.
- All prospective adoptive parents must complete a home study. In Virginia, state law requires families to have an approved home study to adopt a child. The home study process allows us to gather information about you to match you with a child whose needs you are equipped to meet. The home study comprises at least three interviews with a CHSVA 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. On average, a home study takes about three months.
- You can adopt a child, whether single, married, or divorced.
- Those adopting through Virginia’s foster care system are required to complete pre-adoption training, which covers topics such as parenting strategies, trauma-informed care, and the unique needs of foster youth.
How long does it take to adopt a child in Virginia?
Becoming matched with a child can take about six months to several years, depending on the timing of training classes, your personal schedule, and the amount of time it takes to be matched with a child. After the child is placed with you, we provide parent coaching to help with trauma-based behaviors, attachment challenges, and the overall adjustment period. The state requires six months of supervision before a legal adoption.
What is your adoption process?
There are several steps to receiving placement for a child who is waiting for a permanent, loving home in foster care:
- Schedule a virtual orientation with one of our social workers to learn more about the process and complete an adoption application.
- Complete our training series to help prepare you for the special challenges of parenting a child or teen who has faced childhood trauma such as abuse or neglect. Our training series includes a mix of self-guided and live virtual training modules offered several times throughout the year.
- Complete a home study and receive approval.
- Complete the matching process with a child or teen.
- Make preliminary visits with your child.
- Welcome your child home and begin the six-month supervisory period before legally finalizing the adoption. During this time, you will receive post-adoption services.
How do you match children with families?
The Children’s Home Society of Virginia is dedicated to finding families that align with each child’s unique needs, personalities, and dreams. Using a child-centered approach, we work closely with foster children to understand their backgrounds, preferences, and emotional needs, ensuring that each match promotes long-term stability and well-being. By carefully assessing and preparing both the children and prospective families, we strive to build connections that are loving, supportive, and set up for success, ultimately creating lasting bonds that help children thrive in a permanent family environment.
Read more commonly asked questions about adoption here.
Support Virginia Adoption this National Adoption Month | Adopt an Older Child or Teen Today
National Adoption Month is a time to reflect on the powerful impact adoption can have on both children and families. It reminds us of the critical importance of providing young people, especially those in foster care, with the love, stability, and permanence they need to grow into successful, confident adults. In Virginia, there are still many children and teens waiting for their forever families, and each adoption offers these youth a chance to build a brighter future.
If you’ve considered adoption or are just beginning to learn about the process, take this opportunity to reach out to us to explore how you can make a lasting difference in the life of a child. Your commitment to providing a loving, supportive home can help break the cycle of instability and give a child or teen the foundation they need to thrive. By honoring youth this month and every day, we can help create stronger pathways to permanent families, offering hope and a sense of belonging to those who need it most. Call us today, or click the button below! 804-353-0191