When a child needs a higher level of support, a non‑family setting—also called a congregate care placement—may be the safest option. Family First encourages these placements to be temporary and focused on each child’s individual needs, with the goal of helping them return to family and community life as soon as possible.
The Human Trafficking Prevention Designation strengthens statewide efforts to reduce the vulnerabilities that put youth in foster care at risk of trafficking. Federal funding for youth placed in Child Residential Facilities or Therapeutic Group Homes is only available when the facility has earned this designation.
These standards help ensure that young people receive safe, informed care that supports healing, stability, and hope for their future.
The Human Trafficking Prevention Designation is awarded to child residential facilities licensed by the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) and therapeutic group homes licensed by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) that meet all required standards.
Children and teens who have been involved with the child welfare system face a higher risk of trafficking than their peers. Youth ages 13 and older are even more likely to have added risk factors. Because of this, all youth in foster care ages 13 and up are considered at risk for trafficking and are eligible for support through this designation. (Child and Family Services Manual, Chapter E. Foster Care, Section 6B.6.1)
To qualify, providers must:
These requirements help create safe, informed, and supportive environments where young people can heal, build resilience, and move toward a hopeful future.
Download the VDSS Human Trafficking Prevention Designation Provider Requirements for more information.
Providers may apply for the Human Trafficking Prevention Designation through VDSS. Providers should first review the VDSS Human Trafficking Prevention Designation Provider Requirements, which details all requirements and lists preapproved resources/tools/trainings that may be utilized. To apply, download and complete the initial application. Additional details regarding the application process can be found on the application itself. Applications should be submitted to FamilyFirst@dss.virginia.gov.
The following facilities have successfully applied and received the Human Trafficking Prevention Designation. This designation demonstrates their dedication to improving outcomes for youth in foster care and preventing youth trafficking victimization. This list is regularly updated with all designated facilities.
|
Provider Agency |
Facility Name |
Effective Date |
|
ADNJ Youth & Family Services |
ADNJ Youth & Family Services |
4/1/2026 |
|
All Around Achievers |
Fox Drive |
4/1/2026 |
|
Always Blossom |
Always Blossom I |
4/1/2026 |
|
Always Blossom |
Always Blossom II |
4/1/2026 |
|
Always Blossom |
Always Blossom III |
4/1/2026 |
|
Beginning Today Youth Services |
BTYS III (Beginning Today Youth Services III) |
4/1/2026 |
|
Beginning Today Youth Services |
BYTS One (Beginning Today Youth Services) |
4/1/2026 |
|
Beginning Today Youth Services |
BYTS Too (Beginning Today Youth Services Too) |
4/1/2026 |
|
Changing Lives |
Najai's House 2 |
4/1/2026 |
|
Clementine Fairfax |
Clementine Fairfax |
4/1/2026 |
|
Elk Hill |
Massie Cottage |
4/1/2026 |
|
Elk Hill |
Duncan Cottage |
4/1/2026 |
|
Elk Hill |
Spring Garden |
4/1/2026 |
|
Elk Hill |
Mountain View |
4/1/2026 |
|
Elk Hill |
Fair Meadows |
4/1/2026 |
|
Elk Hill |
Amani House |
4/1/2026 |
|
Empty Arms Outreach Ministries |
Alpha House I |
4/1/2026 |
|
Empty Arms Outreach Ministries |
Alpha House II |
4/1/2026 |
|
Gateway Homes |
Gateway Adolescent Program |
4/1/2026 |
|
Gateway Homes |
Park Branch |
4/1/2026 |
|
Gateway Homes |
Sandalwood Court |
4/1/2026 |
|
Gateway Youth Services |
Gateway Youth Services |
4/1/2026 |
|
Gateway Youth Services |
Gateway Youth Services - Belvedere |
4/1/2026 |
|
Gateway Youth Services |
Gateway Youth Services - Hope Road |
4/1/2026 |
|
Gatewood Children's Homes |
Jordan House |
4/1/2026 |
|
Gatewood Children's Homes |
Mattie's Place |
4/1/2026 |
|
Gift of Hope |
Gift of Hope Girls Home |
4/1/2026 |
|
Gift of Hope |
Starlight Boys Home |
4/1/2026 |
|
Gift of Hope |
Green Level Girls Home |
4/1/2026 |
|
Gift of Hope |
Gift of Hope Iron Ridge |
4/1/2026 |
|
Greater He |
Greater He |
4/1/2026 |
|
Harvest Free Will Baptist Child Care Ministries |
Harvest Free Will |
4/1/2026 |
|
Henry & William Evans Home for Children |
Evans Home |
4/1/2026 |
|
HopeTree Family Services |
HopeTree Evans Home |
4/1/2026 |
|
HopeTree Family Services |
HopeTree Robertson Home |
4/1/2026 |
|
Intercept Health |
Fountain House |
4/1/2026 |
|
Intercept Health |
Gateway House |
4/1/2026 |
|
Intercept Health |
Journey House |
4/1/2026 |
|
Intercept Health |
Spring House |
4/1/2026 |
|
Intercept Health |
Vision House |
4/1/2026 |
|
Journey of Hope Services |
Tooley House |
4/1/2026 |
|
Lighthouse 1 |
Lighthouse 1 |
4/1/2026 |
|
NDUTIME Youth & Family Services |
Joshua House I |
4/1/2026 |
|
NDUTIME Youth & Family Services |
Joshua House II |
4/1/2026 |
|
OLA Home for Boys |
1802 N. 22 Street (Alpha House) |
4/1/2026 |
|
OLA Home for Boys |
House #2 (Moore House) |
4/1/2026 |
|
OLA Home for Boys |
Amber House |
4/1/2023 |
|
Open Arms Family Services |
Omega I Residential Service |
4/1/2026 |
|
Pathway to Success |
Pathway to Success |
4/1/2026 |
|
Presbyterian Children's Home of the Highlands |
Presbyterian Children's Home of the Highlands |
4/1/2026 |
|
Pure Faith House |
Pure Faith House |
4/1/2026 |
|
Pursue Family Services |
Pursue Family Services |
4/1/2026 |
|
Rest Assured |
Rest Assured Boys House |
4/1/2026 |
|
Rest Assured |
Rest Assured Girls House |
4/1/2026 |
|
RISEUP |
Rise Up, LLC |
4/1/2026 |
|
RISEUP |
Arch Hill Drive Location |
4/1/2026 |
|
Safe Haven Care Group |
Safe Haven Care Group |
4/1/2026 |
|
Safe Haven Transitional Youth Services |
Safe Haven Transitional Youth Services |
4/1/2026 |
|
Saving Families Children and Adult Services |
Najai's House |
4/1/2026 |
|
Seton Youth Services |
Seton Boys Emergency Shelter |
4/1/2026 |
|
Seton Youth Services |
Seton Girls Emergency Shelter |
4/1/2026 |
|
Teen Titans Youth Services |
Teen Titan Youth Home College Drive |
4/1/2026 |
|
The Hallows by Samaritan House |
The Hallow |
4/1/2026 |
|
The STARS Program |
Gemini House |
4/1/2026 |
|
The STARS Program |
Nova House |
4/1/2026 |
|
The STARS Program |
Phoenix House |
4/1/2026 |
|
The STARS Program |
Zenith House |
4/1/2026 |
|
Threatt Counseling Services |
Therapeutic Home for Girls |
4/1/2026 |
|
Virginia Home for Boys and Girls |
Virginia Home for Boys and Girls |
4/1/2026 |
