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What is foster care?
Find out what's happening in West End Alexandriawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Fund for Alexandria’s Child helping foster children enjoy experiences others take for granted.
Find out what's happening in West End Alexandriawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In Alexandria, usually about 100 children from infancy to age 21 are in foster care. Another large group, identified to be at great risk for abuse or neglect, receives help to keep them safe. Foster care is the provision of services and substitute care (resource homes, relatives, group homes, residential facilities) who cannot live with their birth families. Children in foster care need the strength, stability and security of a nurturing home environment. The Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services is responsible for these children. To enrich their lives, The Fund for Alexandria’s Child raises money to supplement public dollars. For more information or to volunteer call 703.446.5663 or email thefundforalexchild@alexandriava.gov.
The Department of Community and Human Services is responsible for providing temporary and sometimes permanent living situations for these children.
Who are the children of foster care?
Children in foster care are newborn to age 21 and have been deemed by the court to be abused neglected or abandoned. On occasion, parents themselves entrust their children into foster care in a crisis when no other resource is available.
Children in foster care come from every racial, ethnic and social-economic background. Some children may have difficulty controlling their behaviors or handling their emotions due to the abuse or neglect they have suffered. Some children may have physical, emotional or intellectual challenges that require special care and professional services.
While all types of resources, families are desired, there is a strong need in the City of Alexandria for resource families who are willing to care for teenagers and pregnant/and or parenting teens. Resource families who can care for siblings groups and individuals who can speak Spanish are also needed. The resources unit matches children with parents who best meet their needs.