{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/63.2-902.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/63.2-902.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/63.2-902.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/63.2-902.html"}],"law_id":70305,"edition_id":1,"section_id":70305,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-902","catch_line":"Agreements with persons taking children; dispute resolution; appeals","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 63-243; 1968, c. 578, \u00a7 63.1-206; 2002, c. 747; 2008, cc. 241, 308; 2019, c. 336.","full_text":"A\n\nEvery local board and licensed child-placing agency shall, with respect to each child placed by it in a foster home or children’s residential facility, enter into a written agreement contained in an approved foster care policy with the head of such home or facility, which agreement shall provide that the authorized representatives of the local board or agency shall have access at all times to such child and to the home or facility, and that the head of the home or facility will release custody of the child so placed to the authorized representatives of the local board or agency whenever, in the opinion of the local board or agency, or in the opinion of the Commissioner, it is in the best interests of the child.B\n\nLocal boards and licensed child-placing agencies shall implement and publicize a dispute resolution process through which a foster parent may contest an alleged violation of the regulations governing the collaboration, communication, access, and transparency between the local boards and licensed child-placing agencies and foster parents. Prior to filing a complaint through such dispute resolution process, the foster parent shall contact the family services specialist assigned to the foster home, provide a detailed description of the conduct constituting the alleged violation of the regulations governing collaboration, communication, access, and transparency between the local boards and licensed child-placing agencies and foster parents, and attempt to resolve the dispute. Family services specialists shall respond within five business days and explain any corrective action to be taken in response to the foster parent’s complaint. If the foster parent and family services specialist are unable to resolve the complaint informally, the foster parent may file a written complaint through the dispute resolution process with the local board’s foster care supervisor or assigned designee. The complaint shall include a detailed description of the conduct constituting the alleged violation of the regulations governing collaboration, communication, access, and transparency between the local boards and licensed child-placing agencies and foster parents, along with any other information required by Department regulation. The foster care supervisor or assigned designee shall respond to the complaint in writing within five business days, setting forth all findings regarding the alleged violation and any corrective action to be taken.\n\t\t\tIf the foster parent disagrees with the findings or corrective actions proposed by the foster care supervisor or assigned designee, the foster parent may appeal the decision to the local director by filing a written notice of appeal. The notice of appeal shall include a detailed description of the conduct constituting the alleged violation of the regulations governing collaboration, communication, access, and transparency between the local boards and licensed child-placing agencies and foster parents, a copy of the foster care supervisor or assigned designee’s findings and recommendations, and any other information required by Department regulation. The local director shall hold a meeting between all parties within seven business days to gather any information necessary to determine the validity of the alleged violation of the regulations governing collaboration, communication, access, and transparency between the local boards and licensed child-placing agencies and foster parents and the appropriateness of any recommendations for corrective action made by the family services specialist and foster care supervisor or assigned designee. A summary of the meeting shall be documented in writing by the family services specialist after approval by the foster care supervisor or assigned designee. Following such meeting and documentation, the local director shall issue to all parties written findings and, when applicable, recommendations for corrective action.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":253830,"text":"Every local board and licensed child-placing agency shall, with respect to each child placed by it in a foster home or children’s residential facility, enter into a written agreement contained in an approved foster care policy with the head of such home or facility, which agreement shall provide that the authorized representatives of the local board or agency shall have access at all times to such child and to the home or facility, and that the head of the home or facility will release custody of the child so placed to the authorized representatives of the local board or agency whenever, in the opinion of the local board or agency, or in the opinion of the Commissioner, it is in the best interests of the child.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":253831,"text":"Local boards and licensed child-placing agencies shall implement and publicize a dispute resolution process through which a foster parent may contest an alleged violation of the regulations governing the collaboration, communication, access, and transparency between the local boards and licensed child-placing agencies and foster parents. Prior to filing a complaint through such dispute resolution process, the foster parent shall contact the family services specialist assigned to the foster home, provide a detailed description of the conduct constituting the alleged violation of the regulations governing collaboration, communication, access, and transparency between the local boards and licensed child-placing agencies and foster parents, and attempt to resolve the dispute. Family services specialists shall respond within five business days and explain any corrective action to be taken in response to the foster parent’s complaint. If the foster parent and family services specialist are unable to resolve the complaint informally, the foster parent may file a written complaint through the dispute resolution process with the local board’s foster care supervisor or assigned designee. The complaint shall include a detailed description of the conduct constituting the alleged violation of the regulations governing collaboration, communication, access, and transparency between the local boards and licensed child-placing agencies and foster parents, along with any other information required by Department regulation. The foster care supervisor or assigned designee shall respond to the complaint in writing within five business days, setting forth all findings regarding the alleged violation and any corrective action to be taken.\n\t\t\tIf the foster parent disagrees with the findings or corrective actions proposed by the foster care supervisor or assigned designee, the foster parent may appeal the decision to the local director by filing a written notice of appeal. The notice of appeal shall include a detailed description of the conduct constituting the alleged violation of the regulations governing collaboration, communication, access, and transparency between the local boards and licensed child-placing agencies and foster parents, a copy of the foster care supervisor or assigned designee’s findings and recommendations, and any other information required by Department regulation. The local director shall hold a meeting between all parties within seven business days to gather any information necessary to determine the validity of the alleged violation of the regulations governing collaboration, communication, access, and transparency between the local boards and licensed child-placing agencies and foster parents and the appropriateness of any recommendations for corrective action made by the family services specialist and foster care supervisor or assigned designee. A summary of the meeting shall be documented in writing by the family services specialist after approval by the foster care supervisor or assigned designee. Following such meeting and documentation, the local director shall issue to all parties written findings and, when applicable, recommendations for corrective action.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14390,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14389,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:58","permalink":{"id":271971,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14390,"identifier":"1","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1","url":"\/63.2\/III\/9\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14389,"edition_id":1,"name":"Foster Care","identifier":"9","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13897,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:58","permalink":{"id":271969,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14389,"identifier":"9","token":"63.2\/III\/9","url":"\/63.2\/III\/9\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13897,"edition_id":1,"name":"Social Services Programs","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12789,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:14","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:14","permalink":{"id":271331,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13897,"identifier":"III","token":"63.2\/III","url":"\/63.2\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12789,"edition_id":1,"name":"Welfare (Social Services)","identifier":"63.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":270661,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12789,"identifier":"63.2","token":"63.2","url":"\/63.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":87280,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-900","catch_line":"Accepting children for placement in homes, facilities, etc., by local boards","url":"\/63.2-900\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-900","metadata":false},{"id":64851,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-900.1","catch_line":"Kinship foster care","url":"\/63.2-900.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-900.1","metadata":false},{"id":70505,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-900.2","catch_line":"Placement of sibling groups; 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enrollment in Commonwealth's program of medical assistance","url":"\/63.2-905.4\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-905.4","metadata":false},{"id":56947,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-905.5","catch_line":"Survey of children aging out of foster care","url":"\/63.2-905.5\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-905.5","metadata":false},{"id":73230,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-905.6","catch_line":"Notice of eligibility for certain federal benefits","url":"\/63.2-905.6\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-905.6","metadata":false},{"id":80427,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-906","catch_line":"Foster care plans; permissible plan goals; court review of foster children","url":"\/63.2-906\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-906","metadata":false},{"id":86904,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-906.1","catch_line":"Qualified residential treatment programs","url":"\/63.2-906.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-906.1","metadata":false},{"id":81818,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-907","catch_line":"Administrative review of children in foster care","url":"\/63.2-907\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-907","metadata":false},{"id":83951,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-908","catch_line":"Permanent foster care placement","url":"\/63.2-908\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-908","metadata":false},{"id":59063,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-909","catch_line":"Child support for child placed in foster care by court","url":"\/63.2-909\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-909","metadata":false},{"id":63433,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-910","catch_line":"Child support for child placed in foster care where legal custody remains with parent or guardian","url":"\/63.2-910\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-910","metadata":false},{"id":60943,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-910.1","catch_line":"Acceptance of children by local departments of social services","url":"\/63.2-910.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-910.1","metadata":false},{"id":56471,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-910.2","catch_line":"Petition to terminate parental rights","url":"\/63.2-910.2\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-910.2","metadata":false},{"id":68598,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-911","catch_line":"Liability insurance for foster parents","url":"\/63.2-911\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-911","metadata":false},{"id":82345,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-912","catch_line":"Visitation of child placed in foster care","url":"\/63.2-912\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-912","metadata":false},{"id":75827,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-912.1","catch_line":"Notification of certain rights of foster parents of public school students","url":"\/63.2-912.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-912.1","metadata":false},{"id":65725,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-913","catch_line":"Establishment of minimum training requirements","url":"\/63.2-913\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-913","metadata":false},{"id":57259,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-913.1","catch_line":"Caseload standard","url":"\/63.2-913.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-913.1","metadata":false},{"id":80392,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-914","catch_line":"Not in effect","url":"\/63.2-914\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-914","metadata":false},{"id":61194,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-915","catch_line":"Appeals to Commissioner","url":"\/63.2-915\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-915","metadata":false},{"id":57653,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-916","catch_line":"Notice of developmental disabilities","url":"\/63.2-916\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-916","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":81648,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-901.1","catch_line":"Criminal history and central registry check for placements of children","url":"\/63.2-901.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-901.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":83322,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-903","catch_line":"Entrustment agreements; adoption","url":"\/63.2-903\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-903","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/63.2-902\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1968, chapter 578; in 2002, chapter 747<\/a>; in 2008, chapters 241<\/a> and 308<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 336<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":87280,"section_number":"63.2-900","catch_line":"Accepting children for placement in homes, facilities, etc., by local boards","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-900\/"},{"id":72206,"section_number":"63.2-901","catch_line":"Supervision of placement of children in homes","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-901\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":271997,"object_type":"law","relational_id":70305,"identifier":"63.2-902","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-902","url":"\/63.2-902\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/63.2-902\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-902","dublin_core":{"Title":"Agreements with persons taking children; dispute resolution; appeals","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 63.2-902","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Every local board<\/span> and licensed child<\/span>-placing agency<\/span> shall, with respect to each child<\/span> placed by it in a foster home<\/span> or children’s residential facility, enter into a written agreement contained in an approved foster care policy with the head of such home or facility, which agreement shall provide that the authorized representatives of the local board<\/span> or agency shall have access at all times to such child<\/span> and to the home or facility, and that the head of the home or facility will release custody<\/span> of the child<\/span> so placed to the authorized representatives of the local board<\/span> or agency whenever, in the opinion<\/span> of the local board<\/span> or agency, or in the opinion<\/span> of the Commissioner<\/span>, it is in the best interests of the child<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Local boards<\/span> and licensed child<\/span>-placing agencies shall implement and publicize a dispute resolution process through which a foster parent may contest an alleged violation of the regulations governing the collaboration, communication, access, and transparency between the local boards<\/span> and licensed child<\/span>-placing agencies and foster parents. Prior to filing a complaint through such dispute resolution process, the foster parent shall contact the family services specialist assigned to the foster home<\/span>, provide a detailed description of the conduct constituting the alleged violation of the regulations governing collaboration, communication, access, and transparency between the local boards<\/span> and licensed child<\/span>-placing agencies and foster parents, and attempt to resolve the dispute. Family services specialists shall respond within five business days and explain any corrective action to be taken in response to the foster parent’s complaint. If the foster parent and family services specialist are unable to resolve the complaint informally, the foster parent may file a written complaint through the dispute resolution process with the local board<\/span>’s foster care supervisor or assigned designee. The complaint shall include a detailed description of the conduct constituting the alleged violation of the regulations governing collaboration, communication, access, and transparency between the local boards<\/span> and licensed child<\/span>-placing agencies and foster parents, along with any other information required by Department<\/span> regulation. The foster care supervisor or assigned designee shall respond to the complaint in writing within five business days, setting forth all findings<\/span> regarding the alleged violation and any corrective action to be taken.\n\t\t\tIf the foster parent disagrees with the findings<\/span> or corrective actions proposed by the foster care supervisor or assigned designee, the foster parent may appeal the decision to the local director<\/span> by filing a written notice of appeal<\/span>. The notice of appeal<\/span> shall include a detailed description of the conduct constituting the alleged violation of the regulations governing collaboration, communication, access, and transparency between the local boards<\/span> and licensed child<\/span>-placing agencies and foster parents, a copy of the foster care supervisor or assigned designee’s findings<\/span> and recommendations, and any other information required by Department<\/span> regulation. The local director<\/span> shall hold a meeting between all parties within seven business days to gather any information necessary to determine the validity of the alleged violation of the regulations governing collaboration, communication, access, and transparency between the local boards<\/span> and licensed child<\/span>-placing agencies and foster parents and the appropriateness of any recommendations for corrective action made by the family services specialist and foster care supervisor or assigned designee. A summary of the meeting shall be documented in writing by the family services specialist after approval by the foster care supervisor or assigned designee. Following such meeting and documentation, the local director<\/span> shall issue<\/span> to all parties written findings<\/span> and, when applicable, recommendations for corrective action. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nAGREEMENTS WITH PERSONS TAKING CHILDREN; DISPUTE RESOLUTION; APPEALS (\u00a7\n63.2-902)\n\nA. Every local board and licensed child-placing agency shall, with respect to\neach child placed by it in a foster home or children’s residential\nfacility, enter into a written agreement contained in an approved foster care\npolicy with the head of such home or facility, which agreement shall provide\nthat the authorized representatives of the local board or agency shall have\naccess at all times to such child and to the home or facility, and that the head\nof the home or facility will release custody of the child so placed to the\nauthorized representatives of the local board or agency whenever, in the opinion\nof the local board or agency, or in the opinion of the Commissioner, it is in\nthe best interests of the child.\n\nB. Local boards and licensed child-placing agencies shall implement and\npublicize a dispute resolution process through which a foster parent may contest\nan alleged violation of the regulations governing the collaboration,\ncommunication, access, and transparency between the local boards and licensed\nchild-placing agencies and foster parents. Prior to filing a complaint through\nsuch dispute resolution process, the foster parent shall contact the family\nservices specialist assigned to the foster home, provide a detailed description\nof the conduct constituting the alleged violation of the regulations governing\ncollaboration, communication, access, and transparency between the local boards\nand licensed child-placing agencies and foster parents, and attempt to resolve\nthe dispute. Family services specialists shall respond within five business days\nand explain any corrective action to be taken in response to the foster\nparent’s complaint. If the foster parent and family services specialist\nare unable to resolve the complaint informally, the foster parent may file a\nwritten complaint through the dispute resolution process with the local\nboard’s foster care supervisor or assigned designee. The complaint shall\ninclude a detailed description of the conduct constituting the alleged violation\nof the regulations governing collaboration, communication, access, and\ntransparency between the local boards and licensed child-placing agencies and\nfoster parents, along with any other information required by Department\nregulation. The foster care supervisor or assigned designee shall respond to the\ncomplaint in writing within five business days, setting forth all findings\nregarding the alleged violation and any corrective action to be taken.\n\t\t\tIf the foster parent disagrees with the findings or corrective actions\nproposed by the foster care supervisor or assigned designee, the foster parent\nmay appeal the decision to the local director by filing a written notice of\nappeal. The notice of appeal shall include a detailed description of the conduct\nconstituting the alleged violation of the regulations governing collaboration,\ncommunication, access, and transparency between the local boards and licensed\nchild-placing agencies and foster parents, a copy of the foster care supervisor\nor assigned designee’s findings and recommendations, and any other\ninformation required by Department regulation. The local director shall hold a\nmeeting between all parties within seven business days to gather any information\nnecessary to determine the validity of the alleged violation of the regulations\ngoverning collaboration, communication, access, and transparency between the\nlocal boards and licensed child-placing agencies and foster parents and the\nappropriateness of any recommendations for corrective action made by the family\nservices specialist and foster care supervisor or assigned designee. A summary\nof the meeting shall be documented in writing by the family services specialist\nafter approval by the foster care supervisor or assigned designee. Following\nsuch meeting and documentation, the local director shall issue to all parties\nwritten findings and, when applicable, recommendations for corrective action.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 63-243; 1968, c. 578, \u00a7 63.1-206; 2002, c. 747; 2008,\ncc. 241, 308; 2019, c. 336.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}