Our purposes, as defined in the bylaws, are to promote policies, programs and procedures, throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond, which serve the best interest of children, with emphasis upon children separated from biological parents. Our goals include:
- Fostering closer relationships and cooperation among licensed child placing agencies and others who share mutual concerns;
- Sharing knowledge, skills, and information relating to services, programs and techniques;
- Working in cooperation with governmental bodies on legislation, policies, and procedures affecting children and their families.
Today, most licensed private child placing agencies in the State of Virginia are members of VALCPA. As a result of working closely together on common goals, there is much cooperation, trust, and goodwill between agencies. Members share knowledge, skill and information at the two association meetings held annually. Professional training is provided at our annual conferences.
Through the work of the various VALCPA committees, the association has had significant impact in legislation and governmental policies and procedures, including: providing recommended changes in the Minimum Standards for Licensed Child Placing Agencies each time they have been revised; through our collaboration with the State Department of Social Services, the laws on Parental Placement Adoption were revised and public education on independent adoptions was accomplished; remaining active in helping State staff revise and improve adoption subsidies for Virginia’s children; our efforts have helped make it possible for eligible children in the custody of private licensed agencies to receive Medicaid; and we have worked to develop standards of excellence in Treatment Foster Care.
VALCPA has a history of success in promoting policies, programs and procedures that serve the best interest of Virginia’s children.