[nene1296]

we just recently moved to VA from IL where we were foster adopt only and want to get certified here in VA. if anyone can help steer me in the right directions that would be fabulous!

[AmyAnne]

Hi Nene! I am here in Va! Please PM me and I'll be happy to help you if I can!

[rindava]

One way to adopt from foster care in Virginia is to get a private homestudy completed with an agency. There are a few that will do that and most placing agencies will reimburse your money. Things go smother that way.

I have found that each local public agencies differs a little on if the will allow a person to complete their foster care program just to adopt. Most will right now. Also you don't really have to foster in the county you live in, you can in most cases foster for another county if for what ever reason you want to. I know people who live in Norfolk or Suffolk and foster for Va. Beach....and Norfolk has a lot of children in care and has foster parents just about anywhere they can get them within an hours drive.

There are several agencies that are contracted around the state that are private to find homes for children in public foster care. These are hit or miss and as I found out even though this is supposed to be at no cost, some will sock it to you after you have spent months going through their classes, etc.... and require you to pay a fee and then when you complain to the state department they will say things like you shouldn't adopt anyway. Also, some of these private contracted agencies have family size limits to 5 children or any age (even adult children) and do not support placing more then 1 special needs child in a home. The reason I was given is they say they belong to an adoption accrediation organization that doesn't support large families or families adopting a lot of special needs kids. It is difficult to get that infromation from them until you are well into their program..

So, easiest fastest way is to go through the friendly private agencies, or foster and hope to adopt for one of the larger cities that has a lot of children in foster care.
Child limits in Va. are 4 children per single household and 8 per married couple, children meaning 16 year old and younger. There are some particular reg. but those are enforced in different ways (like and infant counting as 2, but then if you are a stay at home mom, then they will place as many as you are willing to take because most areas have a shortage of foster homes)

Good luck!!!!!