Youth Voices of Foster Care Month

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

Youth Voices of Foster Care Month

WHEREAS, as of July 1, 2025, there were 5,725 children and youth, from newborn babies to young adults up to the age of 21, in the foster care system in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, approximately 2,400 youth in foster care were eligible to receive independent living services, including 718 young adults engaged through Virginia's extended foster care program, Fostering Futures; and

WHEREAS, young adults who have exited foster care in Virginia have the right to maintain connections with biological families and caring adults, and they are the experts of their own lives; and

WHEREAS, Virginia is committed to helping young people reach their full potential, encouraging them to live safe and healthy lives, and preparing them for civic engagement; and

WHEREAS, our administration introduced the Safe Kids, Strong Familiesinitiative to unite and advance child welfare reforms across Virginia, prioritizing family stability, reducing reliance on congregate care, and strengthening services that support our most vulnerable children; and

WHEREAS, I signed bipartisan legislation that ensures youth ages 12 years and older are informed about their rights, expands eligibility under the Children's Services Act (CSA) to better support foster youth, and strengthens the role of the Office of the Children's Ombudsman; and

WHEREAS, Virginia's youth and young adults involved in the foster care system have the capacity and knowledge to educate others about their experiences, and their voice matters in the decisions that will ultimately impact their lives; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Family Services, together with local departments of social services and private agency partners, recognize that youth with lived foster care experience deserve to have their voices heard, valued, and seen as a catalyst for strengthening programs, advancing policy and program changes, and improving outcomes for current and former youth in care; and

WHEREAS, Virginia recognizes Strong Positive Educated Advocates Keen on Understanding the Truth (SPEAKOUT), the Youth Advisory Board, comprised of youth and young adults with lived foster care experience, to provide a platform for their voices in shaping legislation, child welfare policy, guidance, and practices; and

WHEREAS, Youth Voices of Foster Care Month is an opportunity for child welfare advocates to elevate youth voices, support the immediate needs of youth in foster care, and change their futures and those of generations to come;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize October 2025, as YOUTH VOICES OF FOSTER CARE MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.