StepStone Family & Youth Services of Virginia

StepStone Family & Youth Services of Virginia Support Services for Children & Families Since 1979
Foster Care and Independent Living

The word parent holds many different, incredibly important meanings to us.There are foster parents who envelop children ...
06/01/2026

The word parent holds many different, incredibly important meanings to us.

There are foster parents who envelop children facing uncertain situations in safety and love.

There are biological parents working hard to reunite with their children.

There are adoptive parents who have added precious new members to their families.

We celebrate all of them on this Global Day of Parents and the love they have for the children in their lives.

One of the biggest rewards of fostering teens is seeing the glimpses of the adult they will become. This is a key time ...
05/26/2026

One of the biggest rewards of fostering teens is seeing the glimpses of the adult they will become.

This is a key time in a child’s life when they are preparing to graduate high school and start their careers.

Help instill key skills, such as responsibility, integrity, compassion, and resilience.

There is a teen in your community who needs your guidance. Get started here: https://nuvi.me/7oi5da

This afternoon at 3 p.m. local time, we invite our community to join the National Moment of Remembrance. It’s one minute...
05/25/2026

This afternoon at 3 p.m. local time, we invite our community to join the National Moment of Remembrance. It’s one minute of quiet reflection meant to pay tribute to those who died while serving our country.

It’s a brief interruption on a busy day, and an important acknowledgment of those who gave everything.

We try to match our children with families that share their culture and suit their needs. But taking in a child from a d...
05/20/2026

We try to match our children with families that share their culture and suit their needs. But taking in a child from a different culture is also an opportunity to incorporate traditions that will make them feel safe and comfortable in their new home.

Here are some traditions that may be important to your child if they come from a Jewish background:

🕯️ Shabbat: From sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday, Shabbat is a weekly day of rest. Many families use this time to unplug from screens, light candles, and share a special meal featuring braided Challah bread.

🍽️ Keeping Kosher: Some people who practice Judaism follow Kosher dietary guidelines. While the strictness varies, it generally involves avoiding certain foods (like pork and shellfish) and never mixing meat and dairy in the same meal.

🫶 Tzedakah: In many Jewish households, you will find a small box or tin specifically dedicated to collecting Tzedakah, which translates to righteous giving or charity. Families often make a habit of dropping a few coins into the box before lighting Shabbat candles.

Ask your child what traditions their family followed, and try to incorporate them into your home!

Foster care can seem complicated, but children's needs are often quite simple. They want love, a home, and, according to...
05/18/2026

Foster care can seem complicated, but children's needs are often quite simple. They want love, a home, and, according to Ariana Rodriguez, to be listened to.

In many Asian American communities, the titles of “Aunty” and “Uncle” are not restricted to blood relatives. They are ti...
05/14/2026

In many Asian American communities, the titles of “Aunty” and “Uncle” are not restricted to blood relatives. They are titles given to family friends, neighbors, and elders.​

This concept from Asian American communities reminds us of what we see in our work: Foster parents, neighbors, and mentors recognize children in the community as their responsibility, banding together to ensure they have love and security.​

Happy AAPI Month! We celebrate the contributions of Asian American cultures to our communities and appreciate the lessons they teach us.

How do you calm your child down if they’re having a moment?Children who have experienced trauma may have big reactions t...
05/13/2026

How do you calm your child down if they’re having a moment?

Children who have experienced trauma may have big reactions to stressful events. Before you can ask them what’s going on, you may have to calm them down. This is something you can do together!

Here are some places to start:

1. Remove the child from the stimulating situation and calmly sit together.
2. Practice breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth.
3. Try a calming tool, such as a squeezable putty, or a repetitive behavior, such as rocking in a chair.

Then the real work of processing their emotions can begin!

Our organization champions the continuous development of our staff. We support our employees' journey in skill advanceme...
05/12/2026

Our organization champions the continuous development of our staff. We support our employees' journey in skill advancement and career fulfillment. This commitment is underscored by our partnerships with esteemed colleges and universities nationwide.

We're proud to feature our partnership with Indiana Tech where qualifying employees receive a 20% tuition discount.*

Advance your career and education with us! Apply now at https://nuvi.me/2g7ysh.

*Terms and conditions may apply.

05/12/2026

It's time for your Monday Myth Check with Lynchburg Licensing Specialist Seth!

You don’t know what fostering is truly like until you try it. You won’t experience the excitement of a child opening up ...
05/11/2026

You don’t know what fostering is truly like until you try it.

You won’t experience the excitement of a child opening up to you, the triumph of seeing them accomplish something new, or the joys of watching them be a kid unless you try.

Discover all the good things about foster care: https://nuvi.me/oee4nh

Address

7145 Hat Creek Road
Brookneal, VA
24528

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