Programs

VEFC is committed to helping families stay together whenever possible, and through preventive respite care and mentoring, we encourage strong individual and family development and relationships. VEFC host families also extend the hospitality of their homes to children and youth in need of an emergency short-term placement.

VEFC Short-Term Shelter Care - Started in 1979, VEFC host families extend the love and hospitatlity of their own homes to children and youth, ages birth - 17, who need a safe, nurturing place to stay Shelter Care placements last from 1-21 days. Families serve on a completely voluntary basis and receive no financial compensation for the quality and special care they provide.

Shelter Care:
Fiscal Year 2008 placements: 355 for 1952 days.
Since Inception (as of 6/30/08): 14,947.

In addition to children and youth served through shelter care, 1,582 elementary school students were mentored through VEFC’s PLUS ~ Partners in Learning and Understanding with Students ~ program from 1992 through June 2003. An additional 55 youth were also served through the Alternative to Detention mentoring program. The PLUS and Alternative to Detention mentoring programs have both been phased out so that VEFC can concentrate solely on its unique shelter care services. Since VEFC’s inception in 1979, there have been over 16,650 shelter care placements and mentor matches.

Reasons for child and youth placements with a VEFC host family:

  • Emergency and Crisis Situations - child abuse and neglect requiring emergency removal of a child.
  • Homeless, runaway or abandoned child or youth.
  • Parental incarceration or hospitalization.
  • Respite Care - to relieve situational or family stress; during times of family conflict; to preserve a long-term foster care placement; for special needs children; to help youth stay in school.
  • Transition between placement.
  • Pre-adoptive placements.
  • Suspecteed abuse or neglect situations.
  • Non-violent delinquent youth involved with the juvenile courts.

VEFC Regional Program Locations: There are 13 VEFC Shelter Care Program areas reaching over 45 Virginia localities.

Central Virginia Region (Dean Lynch):

Eastern Virginia Region (Kym Ludwig):

  • Hampton/Newport News/Isle of Wight
  • James City County/York County - Poquoson /Williamsburg/King & Queen County/Mathews County/Middlesex County/King William County

New River Valley Region (Kym Ludwig):

  • Montgomery County/Christiansburg/ Blacksburg/Radford/Pulaski County/Floyd County
  • Roanoke City/Roanoke County

Northern Valley Region (Pat Spory):

Northern Virginia Metro Region (Kym Ludwig)

Piedmont Region (Julie Chandler)

  • Culpeper County/Orange County/Greene County
  • Fauquier County-Warrenton/Rappahannock County

Prince William Region (Kym Ludwig)

  • Prince William County/Manassas/Manassas Park

Southern Virginia Region (Kym Ludwig)

VEFC "You Make a Difference Award"

VEFC Family Receives FACT Award

Click the images below for information on VEFC

VEFC Video
Toddler Video
Teen Girl Video
Teen Guy Video

     

 

 

Contact Us
Last Updated: February 11, 2008
©2010 Volunteer Emergency Families for Children. All rights reserved.