Governor Glenn Youngkin has introduced the “Safe Kids, Strong Families” initiative, aiming to advance child welfare reforms in Virginia. This effort includes a $1 million study addressing systemic challenges such as child safety, permanency, workforce shortages, and reducing congregate care. The initiative seeks to provide a roadmap for future reforms.
“The most amazing gift we have here in the Commonwealth are our children, because they are the ones who are going to build our future and realize our collective aspirations,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Today, we launched our Safe Kids, Strong Families initiative to build on the progress our Administration has achieved over the last three years on child welfare and to make sure every child in Virginia has the love and support they need to fulfill their God-given destiny. Thank you to Secretary Kelly and every hero who has stepped up to serve our collective mission—that every child in Virginia is safe and part of a strong family.”
The initiative builds upon the administration’s Safe and Sound Task Force which addressed issues such as displaced foster children sleeping in offices. It also focuses on expanding kinship care within Virginia’s foster system, with kinship placements increasing from 13 percent in 2023 to 21.2 percent (1,024 children) by April 2025. The goal is to reach 35 percent by the end of the administration.
Governor Youngkin signed HB 1777, SB 1406, and SB 801 into law to empower foster youth and expand access to critical services. These bills ensure that children aged 12 and older in foster care are informed about the Office of the Children’s Ombudsman (OCO) and codify eligibility for Children in Need of Services (CHINS) under the Children’s Services Act (CSA).
“Since Day One, Governor and Mrs. Youngkin have shown their commitment to ensuring that every single child has the opportunity to thrive by making Virginia the best place to live, work and raise a family,” said Secretary of Health and Human Resources Janet V. Kelly. “By working together across the aisle and across agencies, Virginia can help children in foster care turn heartbreak into hope and transform adversity from childhood into an adulthood full of resilience.”
The Youngkin administration’s efforts through the Safe and Sound Task Force have addressed issues related to substance abuse and mental health affecting foster care entries via Right Help, Right Now while establishing a kinship system. Recent budget investments include $7.4 million for Child Protective Services, $12.1 million annually for relative maintenance payments, and $1.5 million for cost-of-living adjustments for foster care and adoption.
With Safe Kids, Strong Families, Virginia aims to continue this momentum with sustainable solutions focused on families.
