Virginia Strengthens Foster Care Support System During National Foster Care Month Through New Training and Partnership Initiatives
As Virginia observes National Foster Care Month this May, state leaders, healthcare partners, and community organizations are coming together to strengthen the support system for children and families involved in foster care. A key highlight of this year’s initiatives is the expansion of a collaborative program led by Anthem HealthKeepers Plus in partnership with 3Strands Global Foundation (3SGF), aimed at improving resources, training accessibility, and long-term outcomes for youth in foster care.
The initiative also includes strong support from the Virginia Office of the Children’s Ombudsman, reflecting a broader statewide commitment to improving care systems through prevention, education, and coordinated services.
Expanding Support for Foster Caregivers Through Training Innovation
A central feature of the expanded initiative is the rollout of the ELEVATE program, designed to make training more accessible and meaningful for licensed foster parents across Virginia. Under this program, foster caregivers can now earn up to five annual training hours through self-paced digital learning modules.
This shift is particularly significant because foster parents are required to complete annual training hours to maintain their licensure. Traditionally, completing these requirements has involved in-person sessions, scheduling challenges, and logistical barriers that can make it difficult for caregivers—many of whom already balance complex responsibilities—to stay fully compliant.
By introducing flexible, self-paced modules, the ELEVATE program reduces these barriers and allows caregivers to complete training on their own schedule. The content is designed to be practical, trauma-informed, and directly applicable to real-world caregiving situations, ensuring that foster parents are not only meeting requirements but also gaining useful skills to support youth effectively.
According to program leaders, the goal is to simplify compliance while improving the quality of care provided to children in foster placements.
Focus on Practical Tools for Caregivers and Professionals
Anthem HealthKeepers Plus has emphasized that caregivers and frontline professionals are at the center of foster care outcomes. Their ability to respond effectively to behavioral, emotional, and developmental needs can significantly impact the stability and well-being of children in care.
Jennie Reynolds, Plan President of Anthem HealthKeepers Plus, highlighted this perspective, stating that caregivers require access to tools that are both practical and easy to implement. The program was developed with this need in mind, ensuring that training modules go beyond theory and provide actionable guidance that can be applied immediately in daily caregiving situations.
The partnership with 3Strands Global Foundation further enhances this approach by incorporating expertise in prevention-focused programming, trauma awareness, and youth safety education. Together, the organizations aim to create a more cohesive support structure that bridges gaps between caregivers, agencies, and service providers.
Strengthening Prevention and Early Intervention Strategies
One of the key philosophical shifts behind the initiative is a stronger focus on prevention and early intervention. Rather than responding only after crises occur, the program is designed to help caregivers and professionals identify challenges early and address them before they escalate.
This includes support in several key areas:
- Behavioral and emotional health management
- Trauma-informed caregiving practices
- Life skills development for youth
- Placement stability strategies
- Early identification of risk factors
By equipping caregivers with these tools, the program aims to reduce disruptions in foster placements, improve emotional stability for youth, and decrease reliance on intensive interventions such as emergency placements or inpatient services.
This preventive model is also aligned with broader state priorities, including improving housing stability, strengthening social services, and reducing overall healthcare and system costs associated with crisis-driven interventions.
Over time, officials believe this approach can lead to a more sustainable foster care ecosystem—one that is not only more cost-efficient but also more responsive to the needs of children and families.
Voices from the Virginia Office of the Children’s Ombudsman
State oversight and advocacy also play a key role in the initiative. The Virginia Office of the Children’s Ombudsman has expressed support for collaborative efforts that prioritize youth well-being, safety, and long-term stability.
Eric Reynolds from the office emphasized that National Foster Care Month serves as an important reminder of the need for meaningful progress in the foster care system. He noted that successful reform requires more than policy changes—it requires active engagement with youth, caregivers, and professionals, as well as tools that reflect real-world conditions in foster care environments.
He also highlighted the importance of trauma-informed approaches and ensuring that the experiences of young people in care remain central to program development and decision-making processes.
Reducing Burden on Foster Families While Improving Outcomes
A recurring challenge in foster care systems nationwide is the administrative and training burden placed on foster parents. Many caregivers struggle to balance training requirements with employment, family responsibilities, and the emotional demands of caregiving.
The ELEVATE program directly addresses this issue by offering flexible, self-directed learning. This allows foster parents to complete required training hours without needing to attend scheduled in-person classes or travel to training centers.
In addition to convenience, the program also aims to improve engagement by offering content that is relevant, concise, and designed to reflect real caregiving scenarios. This ensures that training is not just a regulatory requirement but also a valuable resource that enhances caregiving quality.
Collaboration Across Agencies and Community Organizations
The success of the initiative is rooted in collaboration. Alongside Anthem HealthKeepers Plus and 3Strands Global Foundation, the program is supported by multiple stakeholders, including local agencies, community organizations, and statewide foster care networks.
This collaborative structure ensures that resources are not developed in isolation but instead reflect the needs and experiences of those working directly within the foster care system. It also allows for broader outreach, helping ensure that caregivers across urban, suburban, and rural regions of Virginia can access the same tools and opportunities.
Community engagement efforts during National Foster Care Month will focus on increasing awareness of available resources, encouraging participation in training programs, and strengthening connections between caregivers and support organizations.
Building a More Sustainable Foster Care System
At its core, the initiative represents a shift toward a more sustainable and proactive foster care model. Rather than relying heavily on reactive interventions, the program focuses on strengthening foundational support systems for caregivers and youth.
Ashlie Bryant, CEO and Co-Founder of 3Strands Global Foundation, emphasized that this work is about ensuring timely and appropriate support. By equipping caregivers with the right tools at the right time, the system can better respond to challenges while reducing long-term strain on social services.
The approach is designed to improve outcomes not only for children currently in foster care but also for those at risk of entering the system. Early intervention, caregiver empowerment, and cross-sector collaboration are all central to this vision.
As Virginia continues to observe National Foster Care Month, stakeholders are using this moment to reflect on progress and identify opportunities for further improvement. Programs like ELEVATE represent an important step in modernizing foster care training and support systems, making them more accessible, practical, and aligned with real-world caregiving needs.
With continued collaboration between healthcare providers, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, Virginia aims to build a foster care system that prioritizes stability, prevention, and long-term well-being for children and families across the Commonwealth.
About 3Strands Global Foundation
3Strands Global Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to prevention, education, and collaboration to strengthen systems of care and improve outcomes for vulnerable populations.
