About For Keeps
For Keeps was created to identify and develop ways to find and strengthen permanent families for older children who are in foster care, or who might be at risk for coming into foster care. For Keeps is grounded in the belief that everyone deserves and needs permanent family connections to be successful.
Every year, hundreds of young people in Virginia's foster care system begin their journey as independent adults. Unlike other young adults with strong family support, many former foster children are alone as they face the challenges of jobs, housing and personal relationships. Many overcome the problems they encounter and lead lives as healthy and productive members of our communities. Others do not fare as well. Without family support they find their way onto welfare rolls, into homeless shelters, and sometimes into mental health and correctional institutions. For Keeps' goal is to connect older children in foster care to adults who sincerely care about offering young people the support, advice and guidance they need to be successful as adults.
Objectives
For Keeps has three primary objectives:
Strengthen the Voices of Youth in Foster Care and of Foster Parents
For Keeps will work to expand and refine Virginia's Youth Advisory Council and provide opportunities for youth in foster care to inform others about their experiences and their ideas on improving the foster care system.
For Keeps will support the development and expansion of Virginia's Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship Parent Association to give these caring adults a forum for exchanging ideas, obtaining additional training, and recruiting others to join them in helping abused and neglected children develop their full potential.
Find Permanent Families and Permanent Family Connections for Older Children in Foster Care or At Risk of Coming Into Care
For Keeps is committed to Virginia's young people benefiting from the best programs available. For Keeps will work to identify programs that have proven track records in helping find and strengthen permanent families for older children in care, and then will work to bring those programs to Virginia's communities. For Keeps will also identify policy, program and administrative changes that support its goals and the best practice programs it identifies, then work to develop support for its recommended changes.
Champion Efforts to Improve Family and Community Supports for All Children
The For Keeps initiative recognizes that its success is linked to the work of state and local government agencies, non-profits and businesses that are also committed to the enhancing the quality of youth and family life. For Keeps will facilitate organizational partnerships that focus on improving community-based supports for teens. For Keeps will support ongoing efforts to develop Virginia's systems of care to reduce the need for out-of-home placements and to increase and enhance community-based alternatives to congregate care.
Contact Us
For Keeps Initiative
Office of the First Lady of Virginia
The Executive Mansion
Capitol Square
Richmond, VA 23219
Email: contactus@forkeepsvirginia.org