The Governor of Virginia Has Formed a Task Team to Investigate The ‘Unsuitable’ Conditions That Some Foster Children Are Subjected To

Over a six-month period last year, over 150 foster children in Virginia spent at least one night in “unsuitable sleeping circumstances,” according to Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

In a news release, the governor announced the formation of a task force to investigate safe housing arrangements for foster children, with the goal of putting an end to the practice of youngsters sleeping in local social services agencies, motels, and emergency rooms.

According to the news release, 163 youngsters were displaced for at least one night in inadequate sleeping conditions between February and July 2021. The children ranged in age from 7 to 17. This figure reflects around 3% of the approximately 5,300 children in foster care at the time, according to Youngkin spokesperson Macaulay Porter.

According to Youngkin’s office, social workers or law enforcement officials spend the night with relocated children, worsening current workforce shortages.

The news release stated; that the scenarios arose as a result of a “dire scarcity” of foster homes, beds in group homes and residential treatment centers, and family placements with relatives.