Putting Families First

The Northern Neck and Essex Foster Parent Partnership’s primary goal is the reunification of families. We are Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond, Westmoreland, and Essex Counties of Virginia, operating as a consortium to recruit and maintain foster (resource) families across the region. By working together, we can ensure that children stay connected to their friends, schools, sports, and extracurricular activities when they are faced with entering care.

When children enter foster care, the local department of social services works with the child’s biological family to support them in the safe return of their child. Services provided may include counseling and treatment, daycare, medical, education, employment, family planning, independent living, housing, respite care, legal, socialization, and recreational services. Independent living services are provided to older children in care that are transitioning into adulthood.

To achieve permanency for children in foster care, the welfare of the child is of paramount interest. Every child has the right to grow up in a safe, secure, and permanent home. Whenever possible, children should be raised by their families, as long as parents or relatives can provide proper care. Recognizing that some families are unable or unwilling to resume their parenting responsibilities, our partnership makes it possible for children to stay in their communities.