The Bill Spill

A Home for Every Child

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has launched a nationwide initiative, A Home for Every Child, to strengthen state child welfare systems, reduce the number of children entering foster care, and increase the number of foster homes available. All 50 states, including Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, have opted into the challenge.

The challenge will run from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. Participating states are required to develop and submit a Program Improvement Plan (PIP) for ACF approval before the initiative begins. Throughout the year, states will also provide monthly updates tracking their progress and measuring improvements made. The ACF will award a total of $7 million to states with the most improvements in their foster care systems. 

Through A Home for Every Child, ACF hopes to improve the child welfare system at every stage from prevention and family support to foster care and post-foster care services. The program will focus on ensuring children have the access to a safe, stable and loving home.

For more information on A Home for Every Child, visit https://acf.gov/home-every-child-innovation-challenge.

VA HB 942

House Representative Nadarius Clark (D) introduced a bill to amend Virginia code 16.1-278.015 and 20-124.2, so that a parent, legal guardian, custodian, or loco parentis who legally possesses or consumed authorized substances cannot be denied visitation based solely on this reason. Visitation may be denied if other plausible factors prove that the possession or consumption of substances is not in the best interest of the child.

The bill was signed into law by the Governor and took effect on July 1, 2026. The Board of Social Services will now be required to update its regulations and policies to reflect the provisions of the bill.

For more legislation affecting Virginia’s child welfare system, visit vakids.org.