As Virginia budget conferees prepare to negotiate the final spending plan, both the House and Senate have put forward proposals that could meaningfully strengthen the child welfare system for children, families, and the workers who serve them. While some investments saw strong support across both chambers, others remain incomplete or absent, and the decisions conferees make in the coming weeks will determine whether Virginia’s most vulnerable children get the support they need. 

Why This Matters Now  

Virginia’s child welfare system serves thousands of children who have experienced family crisis, neglect, or abuse. These children deserve a system that prioritizes their safety, permanency, and well-being; not one stretched thin by workforce shortages, outdated technology, and insufficient resources. The budget amendments currently under consideration address critical gaps, from ensuring children have trained advocates to providing adequate support for the workers who serve them.  

Shared Investments Across Both Chambers:

 

Legal Representation for Families 

In a welcome show of bipartisan commitment, both the House and Senate fully funded legal representation for parents in child dependency proceedings, $500,000 in FY27 and $485,000 in FY28. This investment supports a multidisciplinary law office pilot in Roanoke that pairs attorneys with social workers and parent advocates, a model shown to improve outcomes for both children and families.  

CASA Funding Expansion  

Both chambers came through with full funding to more than double state support for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). This bipartisan investment will reduce waiting lists and expand CASA services to more abused and neglected children across Virginia. CASA volunteers are often the one consistent, child-centered voice in a foster youth’s case. This funding ensures more children have access to that advocacy. 

Key Investments in the House Budget:

Child Welfare Workforce Support 

The House proposes $600,000 in both FY27 and FY28 to establish a statewide Child Welfare Workforce Support Program. High caseloads, secondary trauma, and burnout drive turnover among DSS workers, and that instability ripples directly into the lives of children and families who depend on consistent, quality care. The Senate did not include this investment. 

Systems Modernization – Partial Investment  

The House budget includes $500,000 in FY27 and nothing in FY28 toward modernizing Virginia’s outdated eligibility determination systems. The Senate did not include this funding at all. While the House’s partial investment is a step in the right direction, the full $1.5 million per year is needed to remove the technological barriers that make it harder for families to access services and add unnecessary burden to already-stretched DSS workers.  

What Happens Next? 

Budget conferees now face the task of reconciling these proposals into a final spending plan. The investments on the table include legal representation, CASA expansion, workforce support, and systems modernization, each address a distinct and real gap in Virginia’s child welfare system. When the system works better, children are safer, families are more stable, and workers are better supported. Stay engaged and reach out to your legislators as conference negotiations get underway. The final budget is still being written.  

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