February 2026
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ABOUT OUR PROGRAM
Project LIFE (Living Independently, Focusing on Empowerment) helps youth in Virginia succeed when they age out of foster care. We do that by helping youth directly and by supporting the professionals who work with them. Our free services are available to any youth ages 14-23 who has experienced the foster care system, as well as any DSS or private provider in Virginia.
Upcoming Statewide Events
Educational Stability for Children and Youth in Foster Care
These two-part virtual trainings, presented jointly by VDOE and VDSS, will review Virginia’s guidance, forms, and procedures to ensure educational stability for children and youth in foster care. All educational stability liaisons, foster care liaisons and other staff from local departments of social services and school divisions interested in supporting these students should participate.
Please use the corresponding links to register.
Virtual training is split into two parts. The same training will be repeated on both dates (February 17 and April 16 for Part 1; March 18 and May 15 for Part 2). Trainings are open to all who work to support positive outcomes for students in foster care. Please feel free to forward this announcement to your colleagues.
Registration is linked to the dates and times below:
§ Part 1 – February 17 at 10-11:30 am
§ Part 2 – March 18 at 1-2:30 pm
§ Part 1 – April 16 at 1-2:30 pm
§ Part 2 – May 15 at 10-11:30 am
Part 1 will provide an overview of the educational stability process and rights for students in foster care, with a focus on students in general education. Part 2 builds on the foundations covered in Part 1, and will focus on unique cases involving special education, the dispute process, & older youth including those in Fostering Futures. Attendance at Part 1 is not required to attend Part 2, however those new to this work may benefit most from attending both.
For questions about the training and for educational stability support please reach out to:
Foster Care Liaison and LDSS Educational Stability Liaison Points of Contact lists can be found on the Project HOPE website.
VDOE
§ Laura Hackett: 757-221-4002, lihack@wm.edu
§ Dr. Patricia A. Popp: 757-221-7776, pxpopp@wm.edu
VDSS
§ Jessie Forman: 804-366-4058, jessie.forman@dss.virginia.gov
§ Patrice Jackson: 804-726-7511, patrice.jackson@dss.virginia.gov
Upcoming Regional Events
Eastern Region
Western Region
Northern Region
Central Region
Piedmont Region
