VA legislation aims to place foster care children with relatives [Video]

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia has historically grappled with the practice of kinship care, or placing children with relatives when they enter foster care. New legislation that will soon take effect seeks to address the issue.

On May 21, Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed House Bill 27 and Senate Bill 39, creating the Parental Child Safety Placement Program.

“It’s an effort by the state of Virginia to have kids who are either at risk of foster care or in foster care be placed with a family member”, said Ronnie Gehring, the executive director of Embrace Treatment Foster Care. 

Gehring attended the bill signing ceremony. He said the new legislation not only offers a framework for social services departments to place children with relatives but also supports caregivers in providing the best possible homes and environments.

“I …