Governor Youngkin launches Safe Kids Strong Families initiative to transform child welfare across Virginia
Richmond, Virginia – In a sweeping effort to strengthen child welfare systems across the state, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the launch of the Safe Kids, Strong Families initiative, a $1 million undertaking aimed at creating lasting improvements in the safety and well-being of children in Virginia. The initiative is designed to confront long-standing issues such as child safety, workforce shortages, the overuse of congregate care, and ensuring children have stable, loving families.
“The most amazing gift we have here in the Commonwealth are our children, because they are the ones who are going to build our future and realize our collective aspirations,” said Governor Youngkin. “We launched our Safe Kids, Strong Families initiative to build on the progress our Administration has achieved over the last three years on child welfare and to make sure every child in Virginia has the love and support they need to fulfill their God-given destiny. Thank you to Secretary Kelly and every hero who has stepped up to serve our collective mission—that every child in Virginia is safe and part of a strong family.”
The initiative builds upon the work of the Safe and Sound Task Force, which previously addressed an urgent crisis of foster children sleeping in government offices due to a lack of placement options. A major milestone of this effort was expanding kinship care, increasing placements from 13 percent in 2023 to 21.2 percent (1,024 children) by April 2025. The administration now aims to push that number to 35 percent before the end of Governor Youngkin’s term.
Further strengthening family support, the Parental Child Safety Placement Program, which became effective in July 2024, has already helped 661 children remain with relatives instead of entering traditional foster care. Of those, 43.98 percent have been successfully reunified with their parents, reflecting Virginia’s growing emphasis on family preservation.
As part of this comprehensive reform push, Governor Youngkin also signed several significant pieces of legislation: HB 1777, SB 1406, and SB 801. These laws expand services for foster youth and solidify their rights, including a new requirement that children aged 12 and older in foster care be informed about the Office of the Children’s Ombudsman (OCO). They also ensure eligibility for Children in Need of Services (CHINS) under the Children’s Services Act, reinforcing the state’s focus on child safety and support.
“Since Day One, Governor and Mrs. Youngkin have shown their commitment to ensuring that every single child has the opportunity to thrive by making Virginia the best place to live, work and raise a family,” said Secretary of Health and Human Resources Janet V. Kelly. “By working together across the aisle and across agencies, Virginia can help children in foster care turn heartbreak into hope and transform adversity from childhood into an adulthood full of resilience.”
The Safe and Sound Task Force previously tackled 90 percent of foster care entries connected to substance abuse and mental health through the Right Help, Right Now initiative. Additional achievements include establishing the first-of-its-kind kinship system and securing vital budget investments: $7.4 million for Child Protective Services, $12.1 million annually for relative maintenance payments, and $1.5 million for foster care and adoption cost-of-living adjustments.
With the rollout of Safe Kids, Strong Families, the Youngkin administration is reinforcing its long-term commitment to child safety, family stability, and systemic reform. This initiative signals a bold and data-driven approach to ensuring Virginia’s children are not only protected, but positioned to thrive in safe, supportive environments for years to come.
