“Virginia Adopts: Campaign for 1,000” Achieves Goal!

Governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell speaking at CPAC. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Governor McDonnell Announces 1,008 children Adopted or Matched So Far in 2013

RICHMOND- The “Virginia Adopts: Campaign for 1,000” effort has met its goal. Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that in calendar year 2013, 1,008 children from Virginia’s foster care system have been adopted or matched with a family who is going through the process of adopting.  The announcement is a part of the focus Governor McDonnell has placed on foster care and adoption since the launch of the “Virginia Adopts: Campaign for 1,000” in May of this year.

Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “In May, we set out to achieve a clear goal: to match 1,000 children in foster care with permanent, loving families this year. Today, I am pleased to announce we have met, and actually now surpassed, this goal. I commend Secretary Hazel, Secretary Kelly, and the many state and local Department of Social Service employees and private adoption agencies who champion this cause day in and day out and who have worked tirelessly to reach this goal. Even though this is a tremendous milestone, there is still a great deal to be accomplished. I look forward to the continued focus on adoption throughout the McAuliffe administration.Every child deserves a family and a place to call home. Virginians have big hearts and big dreams and together, this year, we have changed lives forever.”

“Growing up in a loving family is one of the most important factors in a child’s life. It contributes to a strong sense of identity and builds a foundation for success.  Reaching the goal of matching 1,000 waiting children with permanent families is an extraordinary feat.  I look forward to building on the successes of the McDonnell administration and continuing this effort until there are no more foster children waiting to be adopted in Virginia,” stated Governor-elect Terry McAuliffe. 

Former First Lady Anne Holton added, “I am delighted to see the Campaign for 1,000 reach its goal. Tim and I believe deeply in this cause and it’s gratifying to see the next two gubernatorial Administrations take on and expand the effort.  This is an excellent step in the right direction, and I know that Governor-elect McAuliffe will expand on this success.”

The “Virginia Adopts: Campaign for 1,000” launched in May from the steps of the Governor’s Mansion.  Former first lady Anne Holton joined Governor McDonnell at the launch.  In late July, the Campaign held informational rallies in nine localities across Virginia. More than 900 participants attended these events where potential adoptive parents learned more about children waiting for adoption and the adoption process. The Campaign also featured two innovative social media campaigns: “100 Kids, 100 Days” and “#IHeartAdoption.” The first campaign shared the story of 100 children in the foster care system waiting for a family, over the period of 100 days. #IHeartAdoption encourages adoption supporters to share photos describing why they support adoption on Facebook and Twitter.

Governor McDonnell announced last week his biennial budget will include $27.7 million in new funding for four initiatives targeted at improving foster care and adoption. In 2013, Governor McDonnell secured in the state budget $1.5 million in new funding dedicated to extreme recruitment, general recruitment, and post adoptive services. 

Secretary of Health and Human Resources Dr. Bill Hazel stated, “Now that we have met the goal of matching 1,000 children, our focus will shift to those that have become available for adoption in recent months, since about 40 new children become available for adoption each month in Virginia.  Our goal is to surpass the number of children waiting with a pool of parents who want to adopt out of the foster care system.”

Secretary Kelly said, “This goal means that for 1,008 children, they will celebrate the last Christmas without a permanent family or the first Christmas with their new, permanent families. This is a phenomenal achievement, but we need to keep this momentum up for three to five years in order to truly change the culture of foster care adoptions in Commonwealth.”

            For more information about the “Campaign for 1,000” please view the Governor McDonnell and Governor-elect McAulliffe’s video messageand visit http://www.virginiaadopts.virginia.gov/.

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Governor McDonnell’s Biennial Budget to Continue Commitment to Improving Foster Care Adoption

Governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell speaking at CPAC. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Nearly 1,000 Virginia Foster Children Matched with Adoptive Families so far this year

Governor McDonnell and Governor-elect McAuliffe to Attend Virginia Adopts: Campaign for 1,000 Recognition Event Monday Afternoon

**VIDEO: Governor McDonnell and Governor-Elect McAuliffe PSA on Adoption**

RICHMOND - Continuing his administration’s commitment to children in the foster care system and adoption efforts, Governor Bob McDonnell today announced his biennial budget will include $27.7 million in new funding for four initiatives targeted at improving foster care adoption.  Governor McDonnell also announced today that Virginia has successfully matched 977 children in foster care with adoptive families towards the goal of 1,000 by the end of his administration.

  Additionally, Governor McDonnell announced that Governor-elect Terry McAuliffe will join him at the Virginia Adopts: Campaign for 1,000 Recognition Event on Monday, December 16, 2013 at 3 p.m. at the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond.  The event will recognize the success of the campaign and its many contributors, and at the same time, transition the campaign to Governor-elect Terry McAuliffe’s administration. 

            

           Speaking about Virginia Adopts, Governor McDonnell said, “Last year, the General Assembly approved $1.5 million to fund Virginia Adopts: Campaign for 1,000. Since then, 977 children have been matched with permanent families. This is a tremendous accomplishment and huge step towards creating a new culture around adoption and foster care in Virginia.  We have made significant strides, but there is still a great deal more to be done. The funds included in my budget are a substantial step towards aligning smart evidence-driven policies with the resources necessary to make a difference. We are nearing our goal of 1,000, but there are still children in need of a permanent home. Every child in foster care is there through no fault of his own and deserves a forever family. I encourage all Virginians considering adoption to seek out more information. You can make an extraordinary difference in a child’s life.”

“Finding permanent loving homes for kids in VA’s foster care system is a bi-partisan goal,” Governor-Elect Terry McAuliffe added.  “I look forward to celebrating the successes of this important initiative.”

Speaking about the new funding for the foster care system and adoption initiatives, Governor McDonnell said, “Historically, the child welfare system has focused primarily on protecting children.  While protection remains of paramount importance, for those children in permanent state custody, protection is not enough.  We have to make our best efforts to get these children on the path of becoming productive citizens.  This package of proposals does just that.”

Speaking about the proposals, Secretary of Health and Human Resources Bill Hazel said, “Youth who stay in care until 21 are less likely to end up homeless, in jail, or pregnant when compared to peers who leave foster care at the age of 18.  Youth who stay in care until the age of 21 are more likely to graduate from high school, earn a GED or attend college, and/or trade schools. Since diplomas and higher education are linked to increased wage earnings, youth staying in foster care until 21 are more likely to earn a decent wage, more likely to contribute to the economy and pay taxes and will be less likely to need TANF, SNAP, or other government assistance programs.”

Secretary of the Commonwealth Janet Kelly who helped lead the Virginia Adopts effort with her husband, Ryan, remarked, “In the general population, we are seeing more and more ‘boomerang’ youth. This term refers to young adults who graduate from high school and/or college, leave the home for a short time but then return. Some estimates are that over 50 percent of young adults under the age of 26 will end up back with parents at least one time. With no family, any ‘boomerang’ foster children have no place to turn in crisis and may end up homeless or making questionable decisions to secure housing. Foster care through the age of 21 will provide additional structure to allow these youth to safely navigate young adulthood without catastrophic consequences.”

The governor’s budget proposals include initiatives aimed at further enhancing Virginia’s child welfare system:

Add $16.2 million to cover child welfare costs, including a 3% increase for payments to foster and adoptive parents

·         The introduced budget includes $12.2 million total funds (including $6.5 million from the General Fund) in each year of the biennium to cover the projected cost of providing foster care and adoption subsidy payments. 

·         Additionally, $4.0 million total funds (including $2.4 million from the General Fund) are added to raise the family foster care maintenance payment amount by 3% beginning in FY 2015.

Provide foster care and adoption payments for young adults up to age 21

·         The Governor’s introduced budget makes $10.3 million total funds ($1.9 million general fund) available to expand foster care and adoption subsidies to age 21 per federal Fostering Connections provision beginning in FY 2016. 

o   Under current law, most child welfare payments end when a youth turns 18 in the foster care and adoption programs. 

o   The federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (FCA) created an optional provision that allows states to receive federal matching funds when extending assistance to certain young adults aged 18 to 21.

o   Under FCA, states can receive reimbursement for young adults in the following programs:

§  Foster care: Youth who turn 18 while in foster care can continue to receive support and services until their 21st birthday.

§  Adoption Assistance:   Individuals adopted at age 16 or older can continue to receive assistance until their 21st birthday.

§  Youth in either program must also meet educational and work requirements, such as working on a degree or working at least 80 hours per month.

o   Adopting the provisions of the FCA is expected to promote increased permanency and improved outcomes for youth in Virginia’s child welfare system.

·         In addition, $0.1 million is provided in FY 2015 to develop a plan for implementing provisions of the federal legislation.

Negotiate adoption subsidies for local departments of social services

·         The Governor proposes that the state Department of Social Services (DSS) negotiate all adoption assistance agreements with both existing and prospective adoptive parents on behalf of local departments of social services. 

·         The legal responsibilities of local departments of social services or rights of the adoptive parents will not be changed.

o   This proposal moves the responsibility for negotiating adoption agreements, including the subsidy amount from local departments to the state department.

o   DSS is provided with five positions and $1.1 million total funds ($0.7 million general fund) to implement this new state function.  These positions will have the specific training necessary to handle adoption contracts and subsidy negotiations.

o   It is expected that these positions will improve the statewide constancy of adoption agreements and slow the growth in costs per child.  Moreover, it will ease the current burden that is being placed on local departments.  

Study the impact of state assuming full responsibility for the adoption program

·         The Governor’s budget requires the Department of Social Services, in cooperation with local departments of social services, to prepare a report that examines the financial, programmatic and policy implications of the state assuming full responsibility for all aspects of the adoption program. 

·         This study will provide data necessary to determine the advantages and disadvantages of moving from a locally administered to a state run adoption program.

·         The agency will be conducting this study without any additional resources.

About Virginia Adopts

Virginia Adopts: Campaign for 1,000 is an initiative to match 1,000 children in foster care with adoptive families. Governor McDonnell launched the campaign on May 17, 2013 during Virginia's Foster Care Month. From January 1^st to December 13^th, 977 children have been matched with permanent families. The Campaign featured two prominent social media campaigns: “100 Kids, 100 Days” and “#IHeartAdoption.” The first campaign shared the story of 100 children in the foster care system waiting for a family, over the period of 100 days. #IHeartAdoption encourages adoption supporters to share photos describing why they support adoption on Facebook and Twitter. View the new Virginia Adopts PSA here.

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Governor McDonnell Announces State Wide Leadership Team for “Virginia Adopts: Campaign for 1,000”

English: The state seal of Virginia. Српски / Srpski: Застава америчке савезне државе Вирџиније. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Regional Kick-Off Events Across the Commonwealth Begin Next Week

RICHMOND—Governor Bob McDonnell today announced the state wide leadership team for “Virginia Adopts: Campaign for 1,000,” an initiative to match 1,000 children currently in foster care with adoptive families. The leadership team, which consists of community leaders, elected officials, and adoption advocates, will serve to highlight the effort and promote adoption around Virginia.  The announcement of the statewide leadership team comes the week before the Campaign for 1,000 Regional Kick-Off events will be taking place across the Commonwealth.

            Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “Each of these individuals brings a unique perspective, strong community involvement, and compassion for Virginia’s children to the Campaign for 1,000. I am grateful to each member of the leadership team for their efforts and look forward to the success of the initiative. In the weeks ahead there will be opportunities for Virginia families to learn more about growing their family through adoption in the foster care system.  I encourage anyone interested to attend one of the regional events and seek out more information. Children in foster care are there through no fault of their own, and just as much as any child, they deserve a loving, secure, and stable family and home.”

            Mrs. Kay Coles James and Mrs. Bobbie Kilberg will serve as the State Co-Chairs for the initiative. Dr. Allan Morris, Delegate Chris Peace, Senator Emmett and Mrs. Sharon Hanger, Mr. Chuck Slemp, Delegate David Toscano, Mrs. Karey Nobles, Supervisor Marty and Mrs. Kristina Nohe, Mrs. Angie Landes, Fr. Wayne Ball, Secretary Doug and Mrs. Jeanne Domenech, the Reverend Jon Barton, Ms. Sophia Booker, and Senator George Barker will serve on the Statewide Steering Committee.

            “When children age out of the foster care system without finding a permanent family, they face more significant challenges without a support system of any kind.  With so many loving families in Virginia, I am confident we can find great matches for these 1,000 children.  I am grateful to members of the Steering Committee for adding their support to this important effort,” stated Secretary of the Commonwealth Janet Kelly, who along with her husband Ryan is helping to lead the “Virginia Adopts” initiative.  “These events will provide families who have thought about adoption with the information they need as they consider the impact of this decision on both their own families and the children who need adopting.”

            Co-Chair Kay Coles James, former Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources and a former foster mom stated, “When considering adoption, many people think that only babies or children in other countries are available.  Any adoption is a selfless act of love, but many families don’t know that there are children right here in Virginia who need a forever family.  I encourage any family who believes they have extra love to give to consider adopting out of the foster care system in Virginia.  As with biological children, parenting these children isn’t always easy.  However, as many foster and adoptive parents will tell you, the children often teach us more than we teach them,” 

            “Welcoming children into our hearts and homes is one of the best examples of Virginia’s hallmark generosity and kindness.  The paths of the 1,000 children that the ‘Virginia Adopts’ program will match with families will be impacted in a positive way for the rest of these children’s lives, as well as life-changing for the adoptive families.  I encourage Virginians to consider adopting out of the foster care system or supporting those who adopt in some meaningful way,” remarked Co-Chair Bobbie Kilberg, President and CEO of the Northern Virginia Technology Council and a mother of five children.

“Virginia Adopts: Campaign for 1,000” State Wide Leadership Team

State Co-Chairs

Mrs. Kay Coles James

Mrs. Bobbie Kilberg

Statewide Steering Committee

Dr. Allan Morris of Newport News

Delegate Chris Peace of Mechanicsville

Senator Emmett and Mrs. Sharon Hanger of Mount Solon

Mr. Chuck Slemp of Wise

Delegate David Toscano of Charlottesville

Supervisor Marty and Mrs.  Kristina Nohe of Prince William

Mrs. Angie Landes of Verona

Fr. Wayne Ball of Richmond

Secretary Doug and Mrs. Jeanne Domenech of Richmond

Senator George Barker of Alexandria

Mrs. Karey Nobles of Richmond

Reverend Jon Barton of Richmond

Ms. Sophia Booker of Richmond

            The Campaign for 1,000 Regional Kick-Off Events begin Monday and will be hosted around the Commonwealth. The events are designed to provide educational information for parents and families interested in adoption. The events will also highlight some of the children across the Commonwealth in need of a forever family. Specific event information can be found below. For more information on these events including registration, please visit http://www.virginiaadopts.virginia.gov/events.cfm.

Regional Events

EAST

July 22^nd
The Westin Virginia Beach Town Center
4535 Commerce Street
Virginia Beach, Virginia
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Register here: http://virginiabeachvirginiaadopts.eventbrite.com/

CENTRAL

July 23^rd
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
1651 East Parham Road
Richmond, Virginia
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Register here: http://centralvirginiaadopts.eventbrite.com/

NOVA

July 29^th
Our Health Center
329 North Cameron Street
Winchester, Virginia
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Register here: http://winchestervirginiaadopts.eventbrite.com/

July 30^th 
Fairfax County Government Center
12000 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, Virginia
12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Register here: http://fairfaxvirginiaadopts.eventbrite.com/

PIEDMONT

July 29^th
Botetourt Center at Greenfield - Education and Training Center
57 South Center Drive
Daleville, Virginia
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Register here: http://salemvirginiaadopts.eventbrite.com/

July 30^th
Averett University-Frith Hall
420 West Main Street
Danville, Virginia
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Register here: http://danvillevirginiaadopts.eventbrite.com/

July 31^st
Albemarle County Administration Building
401 McIntire Road
Charlottesville, Virginia
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Register here: http://charlottesvillevirginiaadopts.eventbrite.com/

To Be Announced
Lynchburg

SOUTHWEST

August 1^st
Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center
French Moore Jr Blvd
Abingdon, Virginia
6 p.m. to 8 p.m
Register here: http://abingdonvirginiaadopts.eventbrite.com/

            As part of the "100 days, 100 kids" social media campaign, stories of real Virginia children ready for adoption are each day shared via Twitter and Facebook. For more information about the Campaign for 1,000 please view the Governor's video message and visit http://www.virginiaadopts.virginia.gov/.

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