VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Regulations

• Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies (PDF)
• General Procedures and Information for Licensure - effective 08/14/2024 (PDF)
• Replacement Pages for Standards for Licensed Child-Placing Agencies (PDF)
• Standards for Licensed Child-Placing Agencies (PDF)

Applicable Code of Virginia References

• 2021 Code of Virginia - Title 63.2 (PDF)
• Title 63.2 - Chapter 09: Foster Care (PDF)
• Title 63.2 - Chapter 10: Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (PDF)
• Title 63.2 - Chapter 11: Implementation of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (PDF)
• Title 63.2 - Chapter 12: Adoption (PDF)
• Title 63.2 - Chapter 13: Adoption Assistance for Children with Special Needs (PDF)
• Title 63.2 - Chapter 14: Uniform Act on Adoption and Medical Assistance (PDF)

Becoming Licensed

• Overview (PDF)

Application Forms

If you wish to pursue licensure of a child-placing agency, please call the phone number for licensing information listed on our help contacts page.

• Annual Operating Budget (DOC)
• Annual Operating Budget (PDF)
• CPA Initial Application (PDF)

Virginia Enterprise Licensing Application (VELA) Quick Reference Guides

• VELA Quick Reference Guide - Register an Account (PDF)
• Crear Una Solicitud de Busqueda en el Registro Central Porta (PDF)
• Espanol VELA QRG REGISTRAR UNA CUENTA (PDF)
• VELA Quick Reference Guide - Create a Central Registry Search (CRS) Request (PDF)

Notices

• 2024/09/30: Boil Water Notice (PDF)
• 2024/09/26: 2024 Hurricane Preparedness Memo (PDF)
• 2024/08/15: Adult Day Center Regulation Name Change (PDF)
• 2024/07/01: Public Comment Notice for General Procedures and Information for Licensure (PDF)
• 2024/06/07: Legislation that passed in the 2024 General Assembly (PDF)
• 2024/05/09: Message from VDSS/Division of Family Services Re: Upcoming Title IV-E Review (PDF)
• 2023/12/21: Implementation plan for House Bill 1744 (2023) and Mutual Family Assessment Model Form (PDF)
• 2023/11/02: Barrier Crimes List Update LCPA (PDF)
• 2023/05/11: Legislation that passed in 2023 General Assembly (PDF)
• 2023/03/30: Enhancements to the CRS Provider Portal (PDF)
• 2023/03/24: LDSS Information Request for LCPA Approved Homes with LDSS Placements (PDF)
• 2022/11/18: Virginia Enterprise Licensing Application (VELA) Provider Portal - Central Registry Search (CRS) (PDF)
• 2022/06/23: Legislation that Passed in the 2022 General Assembly (PDF)
• 2021/12/07: Foster Parent Bill of Rights LCPA Training Notice (PDF)
• 2021/11/17: Update - Return to Full Onsite Inspections (PDF)
• 2021/07/29: DOLP Public Website Updates (PDF)
• 2021/07/02: FEMA Releases Shelter-in-Place Guidance (PDF)
• 2021/06/15: Legislation that passed in the 2021 General Assembly (PDF)
• 2020/06/26: 2020 Legislative Implementation (PDF)
• 2020/04/13: Family First Extended Implementation Date (PDF)
• 2019/09/30: Family First Website Notification (PDF)
• 2018/08/22: Central Registry Update and Tip Sheet (PDF)
• 2018/04/26: Central Registry System Update (PDF)
• 2018/04/19: Fingerprint Memo (PDF)

Documents & Procedures

• Risk Assessment Matrix (PDF)

Forms

License Renewal

• CPA Renewal Application (PDF)
• Staff Information (PDF)

All Other

• Certificate of Approval (DOC)
• Certificate of Approval (PDF)
• Children's Dental Examination (PDF)
• Conducting a Name-Based Check of the National Criminal Database (PDF)
• Criminal Background Check Non Conviction (PDF)
• Criminal Background Check Revised With Conviction (PDF)
• Expedited Enrollment of Child Placed in Foster Care (PDF)
• Foster Care Agreement: Code of Ethics & Mutual Responsibilities (PDF)
• LCPA Provider Matrix (XLS)
• License Modification Request for Facility Change of Location (PDF)
• Mutual Family Assessment Model Form (DOC)
• Request for Search of the Child Protective Services (CPS) Central Registry (PDF)
• Sworn Statement or Affirmation for Child-Placing Agencies (PDF)
• Sworn Statement or Affirmation for Foster Homes, Adoptive Parents, Adult Household Members (PDF)

Additional Resources

• Foster Parent Bill of Rights and Dispute Resolution Process - November 9, 2021 (PDF)
• LCPA Foster Parent Bill of Rights Training (PDF)

Agencies that are interested in applying for certification to provide Treatment Foster Care Case Management Services eligible for reimbursement through Medicaid must be a licensed CPA or a local department of social services. Agencies applying for an initial license should include this information in the application packet. Local departments of social service should submit a letter to Child Welfare Unit Administrator, Virginia Department of Social Services, 1604 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 130, Richmond, VA 23229-5008 requesting certification as a treatment foster care provider. Program statement and model forms compliant with the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) treatment foster care regulation should be submitted with the application letter.

The DMAS provider participation requirements apply to agencies certified to provide Medicaid reimbursed treatment foster care case management services. For further information, call DMAS at (800) 552-8627.

Licensed CPA Employees

Forms

• Request for Search of the Child Protective Services (CPS) Central Registry (PDF)
• Sworn Statement or Affirmation for Child-Placing Agencies (PDF)

Documents & Procedures

• Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies (PDF)
• Barrier Crimes (PDF)
• CRF & CPA Fingerprint FAQ (PDF)
• Convictions Requiring Registration in the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry
• Criminal Background Checks (conducted by Virginia State Police)
• Procedures for Conducting Background Investigations (PDF)
• State Police Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry

Foster & Adoptive Homes

About these Investigations

The Code of Virginia requires background investigations as outlined below:

§63.2-901.1 - Criminal history and central registry check for placement of children:

Each local board and private licensed child-placing agency shall conduct background investigations (of any individual with whom the local board or licensed child-placing agency is considering placing a child on an emergency, temporary or permanent basis, including the birth parent of a child in foster care placement, unless the birth parent has revoked an entrustment agreement pursuant to §63.2-1223 or §63.2-1817 or a local board or birth parent revokes a placement agreement while legal custody remains with the parent, parents, or guardians pursuant to §63.2-900. The local board or licensed child-placing agency shall also obtain such background checks on all adult household members residing in the home of the individual with whom the child is to be placed.

Background Investigations must be conducted on the following individuals:

• Adoptive parents
• Adult household member
• Birth Parents
• Foster parents
• Relative Placements (kinship foster care)

Forms

• Authority for Release of Information (PDF)
• Fingerprint Card Template (PDF)
• Request for Criminal Background Investigation (DOC)
• Request for Criminal Background Investigation (PDF)
• Request for Search of the Child Protective Services (CPS) Central Registry (PDF)
• Request to Discontinue Reprints (DOC)
• Request to Discontinue Reprints (PDF)
• Sworn Statement or Affirmation for Foster Homes, Adoptive Parents, Adult Household Members (PDF)

Documents & Procedures

• Adam Walsh State Contacts for Child Abuse Registries (PDF)
• Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies (PDF)
• Barrier Crimes (PDF)
• CRF & CPA Fingerprint FAQ (PDF)
• Convictions Requiring Registration in the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry
• Instructions for Completing Fingerprint Cards (PDF)
• Legal Terms/Abbrevations (PDF)
• Procedures for Conducting Background Investigations (PDF)
• State Police Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry

Challenging Criminal Background Results

• Federal Procedures
• Virginia Procedures