Youngkin rolls out sweeping child welfare reforms

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin is rolling out what his administration calls one of the most sweeping child welfare reforms in state history.

Governor Glenn Youngkin t unveiled the Safe Kids, Strong Families initiative — a three-year strategic roadmap aimed at strengthening child safety, supporting families, and modernizing Virginia’s child welfare system.

Standing alongside state leaders and community partners in Richmond, Youngkin described the plan as a long-term vision for protecting vulnerable children and improving permanency outcomes.

The roadmap was developed over several months of analysis and collaboration and focuses on six major reform areas — including strengthening the child welfare workforce, improving Child Protective Services, expanding kinship and permanent placements, and modernizing oversight and data systems.

Two youth leaders, Melvin Roy and Lacey Radford, who previously experienced Virginia’s foster care system, addressed the crowd. They shared personal stories that underscored the importance of stability, safety, and a well-supported workforce for children in care.

Governor Youngkin said the initiative builds on reforms launched since 2022 and reflects a lasting commitment to children beyond his administration.“This roadmap sets a clear direction for a system designed to protect children and support families for generations.”

As part of the plan’s first year, the Governor announced $50 million in proposed budget investments. Those include creating a centralized, statewide 24-hour hotline for reporting child abuse and neglect, increasing oversight of local social services agencies, and boosting salaries for family services specialists to improve recruitment and retention.

Other proposals prioritize faster responses to abuse reports involving children under three — the age group most at risk.

Secretary of Health and Human Resources Janet Kelly, an adoptive parent, said the initiative is deeply personal and grounded in the voices of families and youth.

State Senator Emily Jordan emphasized the bipartisan nature of the effort, calling child safety a shared responsibility.

State data highlights ongoing challenges: high worker vacancy and turnover rates, inconsistent screening of abuse reports, and more than 93-thousand reports of abuse or neglect in a single year.

Supporters say the roadmap provides a clear path forward for lawmakers, future administrations, and local partners.

If approved by the General Assembly, the proposed funding would roll out over the next two years.

For more on the Safe Kids, Strong Families initiative, visit the Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources website.