Commission on Youth
Source: http://vcoy.virginia.gov
Archived: 2026-04-23 14:49
Commission on Youth
Skip to content
Latest Updates
Commission Brochure
Collection of Evidence-based Practices for Children and Adolescents with Mental Health Treatment Needs, 10th Edition
Foster Care 101
Quick links
Subscribe to our Mailing List
Commission on Youth Staff
Search Commission Reports
Virginia General Assembly
Contact Us
Please email us at
aatkinson@vcoy.virginia.gov
if you have comments, questions or suggestions for the Virginia Commission on Youth.
Virginia Commission on Youth
Old City Hall
1001 E. Broad St., Suite 302
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Phone: 804-371-2481
View our
Privacy Policy
View our
Freedom of Information Act Policy
A Message from the Chair
The Honorable Barbara A. Favola, Senate of Virginia
It is my pleasure as Chair of the General Assembly’s Commission on Youth to welcome you to our website. The Commission on Youth is tasked with providing a forum for review and study of youth policies and services. Whether you are a member or staff of the General Assembly, a government official, service provider, educator, parent or caregiver, or interested member of the public, you will find this website a wonderful resource on the Commission’s work on a host of issues, from child welfare to juvenile justice, or from mental health to education.
Children matter to policymakers in Virginia. Almost 2 million young people age 0-18 live in our state. This number represents almost 25% of our state’s population. Correspondingly, a significant percentage of our state budget goes directly to services for these youth and their families. Given the size of this population and the breadth of special needs associated with young people and their families, Virginia is fortunate to have the Commission on Youth to provide guidance and leadership on youth policy issues. I encourage you to familiarize yourself with our work and to let us know whenever we can be of assistance to your child, family or community.
Announcements
2026 Commission Meetings -
View Meeting handouts
or visit the Meetings link.
The Virginia Commission on Youth will be holding meetings at the following dates and times:
May 20, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.; Location: Senate Committee Room A, General Assembly Building –
Full Commission on Youth Meeting
August 18, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.; Location: Senate Committee Room A, General Assembly Building –
Full Commission on Youth Meeting
September 22, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.; Location: Senate Committee Room A, General Assembly Building –
Full Commission on Youth Meeting
October 20, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.; Location: Senate Committee Room A, General Assembly Building –
Full Commission on Youth Meeting
In the News
10/22/2025
Commission adopts study to improve Va.’s special education compliance system
07/09/2025
Report outlines challenges of Va.’s special education compliance system, recommends improvements
02/26/2025
Virginia’s Custody Crisis: What are we seeing here? Asking the experts.
02/25/2025
Virginia’s Custody Crisis: Why are parents giving up their kids and solutions to help families
02/21/2025
Virginia’s Custody Crisis: A WSLS 10 special on parents giving up their kids
11/25/2024
Out-of-school time program pitches importance to Virginia legislative committee
11/19/2024
More parents are giving up their kids in this part of Virginia
06/26/2024
Parents express frustrations, say Virginia special education system is 'profoundly flawed'
11/21/2023
State Commission on Youth recommends training academy for social service workers
11/20/2023
Virginia officials aim to reduce reliance on foster care
11/07/2023
State Commission on Youth considering recommending changes to foster care system
03/17/2023
Alumni Changemaker: Amy Atkinson serves the commonwealth's youth and families
09/07/2022
Commission on Youth members, Delegate Brewer, Tata, and Durant with Transition to Adulthood Advisory Group members Kathy and Hannah Roberts
07/26/2022
State panel takes closer look at juvenile detention centers
06/03/2022
Commission Members, Senator Barbara Favola and Delegate Carrie Coyner, honored with the Virginia Promise in Action Legislative Award. Pictured left to right: Senator Todd Pillion, Delegate David Bulova, Senator Barbara Favola, Governor Glenn Youngkin, Delegate Carrie Coyner, Delegate Roxann Robinson, Senator T. Montgomery Mason, and James Dyke.
02/26/2022
We can improve outcomes for children in foster care by investing in quality legal representation for their parents
01/28/2022
Keys To Destination For Youth In Foster Care
02/06/2020
Lawmakers Want to Help Foster Care Youth Get Driver’s Licenses
12/04/2019
New Regulations on Restraint and Seclusion in Public Schools Headed to Governor
11/04/2019
This Week in Richmond: Commission on Youth and foster care
05/06/2019
Looking toward 2020, Virginia lawmakers double down on foster care reform
12/06/2018
Del. Dickie Bell elected chair of Virginia Commission on Youth
10/03/2018
Most teens who age out of foster care have trouble getting a driver’s license and it affects everything they do
09/27/2018
Should abuse allegations against teachers be subject to a higher standard of proof?
06/06/2018
Va. Commission on Youth looks at role of school resource officers
02/23/2018
Va. Governor Signs 2 Teacher Child Abuse Notification Laws After I-Team Report
02/23/2018
New laws aim to protect students from sex predators in school
01/25/2018
Va. Senate Approves House Bills on Teachers Who Abuse Kids
01/06/2018
Addressing childhood adversity now will deliver a brighter future
12/14/2017
Va. Lawmakers Propose Shorter Appeals for Accused Teachers
11/09/2017
Statewide Survey Aims To Improve Foster Care System
09/22/2017
Virginia Leaders Debate Changing Laws to Better Remove Teachers Accused of Misconduct
05/24/2017
Richmond Seminar Focuses on Lasting Impacts of Childhood Trauma
05/24/2017
Experts Speak to State Commission on Preventing Childhood Trauma in Virginia
12/06/2016
Commission on Youth Elects Chair and Vice Chair
08/03/2016
Family Services Nonprofit Begins Pilot Program for Foster-Like Care
08/03/2016
'Safe Families' to Help Families in Crisis
08/03/2016
Patrick Henry Services Offering New Program
05/31/2016
Governor's Bill Signing for Student-Athlete Concussion Legislation - Photo Gallery
05/03/2016
VA Leaders, Groups Work to Improve Care for Foster Youth
04/15/2016
Celebrating the Week of the Young Child
02/08/2016
Commission on Youth Legislation to Address Student-Athlete Concussion Protocol Advances
12/12/2015
Virginia Awakening to Campus Drug Problems, Looking for Solutions
12/08/2015
Virginia Lawmakers Hear Proposals Combating Substance Abuse
10/20/2015
Lawmakers Discuss Ways to Tackle Student Athlete Concussion
09/22/2015
Virginia Commission Sees Progress with Student Athlete Concussions
05/06/2015
State Reviews Child Mental Health Practices
05/05/2015
Commission Meeting Focuses on Sex Trafficking and Foster Children
02/15/2015
Stories of trauma prompt crackdown on seclusion rooms
02/10/2015
Virginia Passes Bill to Rein in Restraints of School Kids
02/02/2015
How Public School Administrators Endanger Special-Needs Kids
01/31/2015
Child Care Must Grow Safer
01/29/2015
Commission on Youth Announces Passage of Legislation
01/08/2015
Bill Might Halt Handcuffs on Kids
12/17/2014
A Good Move for Families Op-Ed
12/10/2014
Children Are Our Greatest Treasure Op-Ed
12/10/2014
Governor McAuliffe Announces $17.5 Million Federal Preschool Expansion Grant
11/20/2014
Virginia Department of Social Services' video on Virginia Adopts
09/08/2014
Commission on Youth's Adoption of 2014 Study Recommendations
08/15/2014
Commission on Youth Reviews Controversial School Disciplinary Practice
07/18/2014
Schools Deal with Behavior Problems
06/22/2014
Focus on Young Children
Skip to content
Latest Updates
Commission Brochure
Collection of Evidence-based Practices for Children and Adolescents with Mental Health Treatment Needs, 10th Edition
Foster Care 101
Quick links
Subscribe to our Mailing List
Commission on Youth Staff
Search Commission Reports
Virginia General Assembly
Contact Us
Please email us at
aatkinson@vcoy.virginia.gov
if you have comments, questions or suggestions for the Virginia Commission on Youth.
Virginia Commission on Youth
Old City Hall
1001 E. Broad St., Suite 302
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Phone: 804-371-2481
View our
Privacy Policy
View our
Freedom of Information Act Policy
A Message from the Chair
The Honorable Barbara A. Favola, Senate of Virginia
It is my pleasure as Chair of the General Assembly’s Commission on Youth to welcome you to our website. The Commission on Youth is tasked with providing a forum for review and study of youth policies and services. Whether you are a member or staff of the General Assembly, a government official, service provider, educator, parent or caregiver, or interested member of the public, you will find this website a wonderful resource on the Commission’s work on a host of issues, from child welfare to juvenile justice, or from mental health to education.
Children matter to policymakers in Virginia. Almost 2 million young people age 0-18 live in our state. This number represents almost 25% of our state’s population. Correspondingly, a significant percentage of our state budget goes directly to services for these youth and their families. Given the size of this population and the breadth of special needs associated with young people and their families, Virginia is fortunate to have the Commission on Youth to provide guidance and leadership on youth policy issues. I encourage you to familiarize yourself with our work and to let us know whenever we can be of assistance to your child, family or community.
Announcements
2026 Commission Meetings -
View Meeting handouts
or visit the Meetings link.
The Virginia Commission on Youth will be holding meetings at the following dates and times:
May 20, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.; Location: Senate Committee Room A, General Assembly Building –
Full Commission on Youth Meeting
August 18, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.; Location: Senate Committee Room A, General Assembly Building –
Full Commission on Youth Meeting
September 22, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.; Location: Senate Committee Room A, General Assembly Building –
Full Commission on Youth Meeting
October 20, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.; Location: Senate Committee Room A, General Assembly Building –
Full Commission on Youth Meeting
In the News
10/22/2025
Commission adopts study to improve Va.’s special education compliance system
07/09/2025
Report outlines challenges of Va.’s special education compliance system, recommends improvements
02/26/2025
Virginia’s Custody Crisis: What are we seeing here? Asking the experts.
02/25/2025
Virginia’s Custody Crisis: Why are parents giving up their kids and solutions to help families
02/21/2025
Virginia’s Custody Crisis: A WSLS 10 special on parents giving up their kids
11/25/2024
Out-of-school time program pitches importance to Virginia legislative committee
11/19/2024
More parents are giving up their kids in this part of Virginia
06/26/2024
Parents express frustrations, say Virginia special education system is 'profoundly flawed'
11/21/2023
State Commission on Youth recommends training academy for social service workers
11/20/2023
Virginia officials aim to reduce reliance on foster care
11/07/2023
State Commission on Youth considering recommending changes to foster care system
03/17/2023
Alumni Changemaker: Amy Atkinson serves the commonwealth's youth and families
09/07/2022
Commission on Youth members, Delegate Brewer, Tata, and Durant with Transition to Adulthood Advisory Group members Kathy and Hannah Roberts
07/26/2022
State panel takes closer look at juvenile detention centers
06/03/2022
Commission Members, Senator Barbara Favola and Delegate Carrie Coyner, honored with the Virginia Promise in Action Legislative Award. Pictured left to right: Senator Todd Pillion, Delegate David Bulova, Senator Barbara Favola, Governor Glenn Youngkin, Delegate Carrie Coyner, Delegate Roxann Robinson, Senator T. Montgomery Mason, and James Dyke.
02/26/2022
We can improve outcomes for children in foster care by investing in quality legal representation for their parents
01/28/2022
Keys To Destination For Youth In Foster Care
02/06/2020
Lawmakers Want to Help Foster Care Youth Get Driver’s Licenses
12/04/2019
New Regulations on Restraint and Seclusion in Public Schools Headed to Governor
11/04/2019
This Week in Richmond: Commission on Youth and foster care
05/06/2019
Looking toward 2020, Virginia lawmakers double down on foster care reform
12/06/2018
Del. Dickie Bell elected chair of Virginia Commission on Youth
10/03/2018
Most teens who age out of foster care have trouble getting a driver’s license and it affects everything they do
09/27/2018
Should abuse allegations against teachers be subject to a higher standard of proof?
06/06/2018
Va. Commission on Youth looks at role of school resource officers
02/23/2018
Va. Governor Signs 2 Teacher Child Abuse Notification Laws After I-Team Report
02/23/2018
New laws aim to protect students from sex predators in school
01/25/2018
Va. Senate Approves House Bills on Teachers Who Abuse Kids
01/06/2018
Addressing childhood adversity now will deliver a brighter future
12/14/2017
Va. Lawmakers Propose Shorter Appeals for Accused Teachers
11/09/2017
Statewide Survey Aims To Improve Foster Care System
09/22/2017
Virginia Leaders Debate Changing Laws to Better Remove Teachers Accused of Misconduct
05/24/2017
Richmond Seminar Focuses on Lasting Impacts of Childhood Trauma
05/24/2017
Experts Speak to State Commission on Preventing Childhood Trauma in Virginia
12/06/2016
Commission on Youth Elects Chair and Vice Chair
08/03/2016
Family Services Nonprofit Begins Pilot Program for Foster-Like Care
08/03/2016
'Safe Families' to Help Families in Crisis
08/03/2016
Patrick Henry Services Offering New Program
05/31/2016
Governor's Bill Signing for Student-Athlete Concussion Legislation - Photo Gallery
05/03/2016
VA Leaders, Groups Work to Improve Care for Foster Youth
04/15/2016
Celebrating the Week of the Young Child
02/08/2016
Commission on Youth Legislation to Address Student-Athlete Concussion Protocol Advances
12/12/2015
Virginia Awakening to Campus Drug Problems, Looking for Solutions
12/08/2015
Virginia Lawmakers Hear Proposals Combating Substance Abuse
10/20/2015
Lawmakers Discuss Ways to Tackle Student Athlete Concussion
09/22/2015
Virginia Commission Sees Progress with Student Athlete Concussions
05/06/2015
State Reviews Child Mental Health Practices
05/05/2015
Commission Meeting Focuses on Sex Trafficking and Foster Children
02/15/2015
Stories of trauma prompt crackdown on seclusion rooms
02/10/2015
Virginia Passes Bill to Rein in Restraints of School Kids
02/02/2015
How Public School Administrators Endanger Special-Needs Kids
01/31/2015
Child Care Must Grow Safer
01/29/2015
Commission on Youth Announces Passage of Legislation
01/08/2015
Bill Might Halt Handcuffs on Kids
12/17/2014
A Good Move for Families Op-Ed
12/10/2014
Children Are Our Greatest Treasure Op-Ed
12/10/2014
Governor McAuliffe Announces $17.5 Million Federal Preschool Expansion Grant
11/20/2014
Virginia Department of Social Services' video on Virginia Adopts
09/08/2014
Commission on Youth's Adoption of 2014 Study Recommendations
08/15/2014
Commission on Youth Reviews Controversial School Disciplinary Practice
07/18/2014
Schools Deal with Behavior Problems
06/22/2014
Focus on Young Children