Governor Glenn Youngkin has introduced the Safe Kids, Strong Families initiative and a three-year strategic roadmap aimed at modernizing Virginia’s child welfare system. The announcement was made in Richmond with Secretary of Health and Human Resources Janet V. Kelly, Senator Emily Jordan, and other state and community leaders present.
The new plan sets out a long-term vision for improving child protection and family stability across the state. Youth leaders Melvin Roy and Lacey Radford spoke at the event about their experiences in Virginia’s foster care system, highlighting the importance of supporting the child welfare workforce to achieve better outcomes for children.
“This announcement represents the culmination of years of work to strengthen child welfare in Virginia,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “This roadmap builds on the progress we’ve made and sets a clear direction for a system designed to protect children and support families for generations. It reflects the Commonwealth’s enduring commitment to every child’s well-being and future.”
Among several Year One budget proposals announced were plans to create a centralized statewide Child Protective Services (CPS) intake system, increase CPS oversight, raise salaries for family services specialists, prioritize responses for children under age three, and strengthen oversight authority for local social services departments. These measures represent an investment totaling $50 million.
Secretary Janet V. Kelly emphasized her personal connection to the initiative as an adoptive parent: “Every child deserves a chance to grow up safe and loved, and this roadmap moves Virginia closer to that vision,” said Kelly. “It is built on the courage of families and youth who shared their stories and on the dedication of a workforce that continues to stand with our children.”
Senator Emily Jordan noted bipartisan support behind these reforms: “We are united in our responsibility to protect Virginia’s children,” said Jordan. “This roadmap gives our Commonwealth the clarity and direction needed to strengthen child welfare for years to come. It will help us bring greater stability to families and ensure that children who have already endured too much receive the support they deserve.”
Since 2022, Virginia has launched several initiatives focused on strengthening child safety and permanency such as Safe and Sound Task Force, Kin First Now, foster care reforms, kinship programs, and Parental Child Safety Placement Program. The percentage of kinship placements increased from 13% in 2023 to 22% by November 2025—now involving nearly 1,400 children placed with relatives.
The final report identifies ongoing challenges including workforce shortages—with vacancy rates between 20%–23%—high turnover among early-tenure case workers (over 40%), inconsistent intake procedures, overreliance on congregate care settings (12% of foster youth), limited access to preventive services, as well as more than 93,000 reports of abuse or neglect during fiscal year 2023.
To address these issues, six pillars were outlined: strengthening staff recruitment/retention; improving CPS operations; increasing permanency; aligning behavioral health with child welfare; expanding prevention/family preservation efforts; modernizing oversight/data systems.
Governor Youngkin stated: “Our commitment signals that the Commonwealth will continue to protect children long after this administration ends… We are leaving behind a plan grounded in data, compassion, and the belief that every child deserves a permanent family and a safe home.”
Key investments include:
– Nearly $10 million over two years will raise minimum salaries for local family services specialists to $55,000 annually.
– $424,000 will fund overtime so CPS workers can respond within 24 hours to abuse/neglect reports involving young children.
– $32.7 million plus 132 positions will establish a centralized hotline operating around-the-clock for reporting suspected abuse or neglect.
– $6.7 million funds additional positions empowering Social Services Commissioner oversight over local departments.
More information is available at www.HHR.Virginia.gov/Safe-Kids-Strong-Families.
