The Commonwealth of Virginia's policy should support children in having access to care and the right to be placed and/or adopted into a loving home, and  protect prospective parents and children from discrimination based on gender, age, religion, political beliefs, sexual orientation, disability and family status.

As mental health provider of services to children and teens, 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 family.

I hope the State Social Services Board restores the protection against discrimination to the final rules of this regulation. It would be in the best interest of the children currently in state care.