Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Social Services
Board
State Board of Social Services
chapter
Foster and Adoptive Family Home Approval Standards [22 VAC 40 ‑ 211]
Action:
Amend Foster and Adoptive Home Approval Regulation 2017
Action 4886
 
General Information
Action Summary This regulation addresses standards for foster and adoptive homes approved by local departments of social services (LDSS). Changes in the proposed regulatory action include clarifying that background checks conducted for youth over the age of 18 years old in the Fostering Futures program be used for the sole purpose of determining whether other children should be placed or remain in the same foster home as the Fostering Futures program participant (Chapter 194 of the 2017 Acts of Assembly). The background checks are not to be used as a basis for terminating or suspending the approval of the foster home. Additionally, this regulatory action addresses standards for foster and adoptive home approval by requiring local agencies to use the Mutual Family Assessment (MFA) home study template and authorizes VDSS to amend the MFA template and any necessary addenda (Chapter 193 of the 2017 Acts of Assembly). Lastly, this regulatory action updates training requirements for prospective foster and adoptive providers by requiring the Normalcy for Youth in Foster Care training as part of the pre-service training. Training requirements for current providers has been updated to require they complete Normalcy for Youth in Foster Care training (Chapter 631 of the 2017 Acts of Assembly). Additional amendments may be deemed necessary based on public comment received and further review.
Chapters Affected Only affects this chapter.
Executive Branch Review This action will go through the normal Executive Branch Review process.
RIS Project Yes  [005306]
Associated Mandates
New Periodic Review This action will not be used to conduct a new periodic review.
 
Stages
Stages associated with this regulatory action.
Stage ID Stage Type Status
8025 NOIRA Stage complete. Comment period ended 11/29/2017.
8198 Proposed Stage complete. Comment period ended 12/28/2018.
8552 Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 12/26/2019.
 
Contact Information
Name / Title: Keisha Williams  / Progam Consultant
Address: 801 E. Main Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Email Address: K.Williams@dss.virginia.gov
Phone: (804)726-7550    FAX: (804)819-7173    TDD: ()-