Foster Care Services
About Foster Care
Foster care is a temporary living arrangement providing care and parenting for children who can no longer live in their homes because of abuse, neglect or other severe family problems. Family Service Specialists help families resolve problems so that their children can return home without further incidence of abuse or neglect.
- Children may need foster families for a few days, months or years.
- The need is greatest for African American and Caucasian children.
- Families who can adopt teenagers, tweens, sibling groups and children with special needs are also among our greatest needs.
Foster Parent Qualifications
You must be:
- Able to accept a child who needs a lot of patience, understanding and love
- Over the age of 21
- Married or single
- In good health
- With or without biological children
- Financially secure
- Living in a house or apartment in Lynchburg City or the surrounding Virginia area
We provide a 30-hour dual certification program and home assessment. All individuals/couples who successfully complete the class and home study process will be certified to foster and adopt.
To start the application process, scan the QR code.
Children in Foster Care
- Are of all ages and races
- Come from all kinds of family backgrounds
- Are experiencing the pain of separating from their families
Strengthening Families
The goal of foster care is to strengthen families. During placement, social workers, foster parents and birth parents work together to facilitate the child returning home. When returning home is not possible, an alternative plan is made.

Family Services
Foster Care Prevention
To complete a phone interview, contact:

Department of Human Services
99 Ninth Street
Lynchburg, VA 24504
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