HomeSocial ServicesAdults, Children & FamiliesFoster Care

Foster Care means that the local Department of Family Services has been granted legal custody of a child by the court. The first goal of foster care is to return the child to his/her guardians.

If the safety issues cannot be solved within a short period of time, the department then searches for relatives who will accept custody of the child.

If the child has remained in foster care for a long time and no family member is available for the child, the department will ask that the court allow the child to be adopted and to terminate parental rights.

Duties of Foster Parents
Most children are placed in a family foster home. Foster families are carefully screened and trained prior to a child being placed in their home. The foster family is paid a fixed amount to provide:

• Food
• Shelter
• Alternative role models
• Emotional stability
• Security

Whenever possible, the department tries to keep siblings together in the same home.

The agency is always looking for a few good families to be foster parents. If you are interested in being a regular foster parent for Manassas City, or would like more information call 703-361-8277 to speak with someone about becoming a foster parent.