The State of Virginia should act quicklly to adopt a non-discrimination policy to prohibit state-licensed child placing agencies from discriminating based on based on race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, political beliefs, sexual orientation, disability and family status in providing services to children and prospective foster care and adoptive parents.  Children need families who will provide them with love, safety, and support.  We need to ensure that every eligible family is able to fulfill their dream of providing a home for children in our state who need one.

The best interests of the child should be the sole factor in deciding whether a child should be placed with a prospective foster care or adoptive parent or parents. 

Thank you.