Northern Neck Foster Parent Program

This program is a cooperative program comprised of the four Northern Neck counties and Essex County. Northumberland County Department of Social Services is the administrative agent for the program.

The purpose of the Northern Neck Foster Parent Program is to recruit, train, support and coordinate foster parents to Serve the five participating counties.

All children grow and thrive best when they are with a family. However there are times when a child's biological family is unable to provide them with a safe environment. You, as a Foster Parent, can make an incredible difference by providing a safe and caring home for this child in need of foster care.

The role of a Foster Parent is to:

• Provide temporary care for children, giving them a safe, stable, loving and nurturing environment
• Cooperate with the caseworker and the child's parents in carrying out a permanency plan, including participating in developing the plan
• Understand the need for and goals of family visits and assist with those visits
• Help the child cope with the separation from his or her home
• Provide guidance, discipline, and a good example, and positive experiences
• Encourage and supervise school attendance, participate in teacher conferences, and keep the child's caseworker informed about any special educational needs
• Work with the agency in arranging for the child's regular and/or special medical and dental care
• Work with the child on creating a "Life Book"
• Inform the caseworker promptly about any problems or concerns

To learn more about becoming a Foster Parent, click on the Application Process.