Though most of our referrals for adolescents, you may have the opportunity to help children of any age who experience social, emotional and behavioral challenges. These challenges vary by child, depending on the child's age, history and the structure of your home. The children in your care will need love, guidance and the support and assurance of a stable loving home. They will test the limits, try to be rejected by you and others and often perceive the world through the lens of past sexual, emotional and physical abuse. The majority of the children you will be asked to care for have been referred to our agency by the Virginia Department of Social Services. For information on the approval process, click here.

Braley & Thompson utilizes a treatment team approach. We provide treatment foster parents with intensive education and significant emotional support to assist in the emotional growth of our children. There is a Braley & Thompson case manager available to assist with emergencies 24 hours per day. Foster parents are educated in specific strategies to manage difficult behaviors and are provided with 24 hours of relevant training per year. Regular home visits by an individually assigned case manager provide support and guidance for both the foster parents and the child in care. Respite services are available as well. 

We share information about the child with the foster family. Professional staff match the child's needs with the foster parent's strengths. Prospective foster parents may have the opportunity to have trial visits with the child, giving both the child and the foster parents a chance to think things through before a placement occurs.

Financial reimbursement is provided for foster parents and is based on the age of the child and the assessed level of supervision needed to meet the needs of the child. Payments received by foster parents are used to provide room and board for the child as well as clothing, school supplies, recreation, etc. and are tax exempt. All medical, dental and vision care and expenses are covered by state insurance.