“Being heard—and seeing change happen—is something every foster youth deserves.”

May is National Foster Care Month—a time to recognize the resilience of children and youth who have experienced foster care, and to commit to reforming a system that too often causes harm instead of healing.

Foster care should be a last resort, used only when children are truly unsafe. But far too often, youth are placed in care where they are subject to instability, trauma, and a lack of support. At VPLC’s Center for Family Advocacy, we work alongside former foster youth to help them raise their voices and advocate for change.

In 2021, after years of persistent advocacy, Virginia established the Office of the Children’s Ombudsman—an independent agency to investigate complaints about the foster care system. But until recently, many youth in care didn’t even know this office existed.

Last year, a group of students in Virginia’s “Great Expectations” program for foster care alumni participated in an advocacy workshop led by VPLC and Voices for Virginia’s Children. These young people saw the need for greater oversight and transparency—and they inspired action.

With their input, Senator Saddam Salim and Delegate Rip Sullivan introduced legislation to ensure that youth in foster care are notified of their right to contact the Ombudsman—and that their complaints remain confidential. Some of the students helped advocate for the bill during the legislative session.

On May 15, Governor Glenn Youngkin hosted a ceremonial signing for the new law. Many of the young advocates attended, including Farrah Webb, a Human Services student at Brightpoint Community College in Chesterfield County. Farrah brought her son to the event and later reflected on what the experience meant to her:

---

“I want to make a difference in my community.” —

My experience attending the Children’s Ombudsman Youth Bill Ceremony was very rewarding as a former foster care child.

To be in a room full of people putting in the hard work and dedication to making sure the children and families are protected makes me full of hope for the future. The governor and his wife pouring life into me and my child will forever be the staple for my fuel in this field of work.

The passion and dedication that was outpoured in that room was beyond satisfying and I was extremely honored for the invitation from Ms. Valerie to attend and meet all the wonderful people in my field of study.

I am very grateful to my coach Jeremiah Camp and the Great Expectations family at my school Brightpoint CC to allow me to be a part of this life changing program, being my support system, seeing my potential and to allow me the room to express my passion in helping youth that was like me.

I want to make a difference in my community! My degree and the Great Expectations program allows my dedication to making a difference possible.

I am very excited to see all the great work our colleagues and I will be able to accomplish with these new bills passed and I am more than willing and eager to attend and participate in all future events!

Many people tend to look over the foster care system and deem its children and parents as lost causes, thus having a system that shows no growth in their personal success or in helping them and the families. Now that has changed I am so ready to do and be whatever is necessary for all the foster youth!

Thank you again Valerie for everything as your love and light helps bind us and keeps us all connected.  

 Farrah Webb
 

Back to News