Mandating training for all prospective and on-going foster, adoptive and resource families is definitely a postive step towards increasing the protection of children placed in the care of local Departments of Social Services here in the Commonwealth of Virginia. While many of the local DSS agencies have already provided required training for their foster, adoptive and resource families for years, other local DSS agencies have not yet established training requirements for many reasons ... including the need for additional funding to support the provision of training.  Mandating training for families, who are asked to provide such important services to children, should document not only the Commonwealth's acknowledgement of the support and assistance needed by these very special families, but should also document the Commonwealth's acknowledgement of the support and assistance needed by the local DSS agencies and social workers who are tasked with providing services to children and their families. Increased training and strengthening of approval requirements should serve as an opportunity for local DSS agencies to enhance protection of the children in care, and to decrease the potential for multiple placements.  These steps should also serve as enhanced opportunities for the foster, adoptive and resource families to receive the knowledge, education and support needed to understand, prepare and meet the needs of the children placed in their homes. What better beginning to develop and sustain a team approach to serving the children of our Commonwealth?