Community & Economy

Child Welfare

COG works with local and state child welfare agencies to bolster foster and adoptive parent recruitment and retention initiatives. COG's child welfare technical committees provide a platform for this work, supporting local governments in the region through technical assistance and providing a place to discuss and track trends in foster care and adoption.

Previously, COG partnered with NBC4 Washington on Wednesday’s Child, a television segment that featured children who are waiting in foster care to be adopted. Hundreds of children in the region found an adoptive family after appearing on Wednesday’s Child.

Interested in becoming a foster parent? Check out these resources from area jurisdictions. 

2025 Foster Parents of the Year

 

Child Welfare Resources

City of Alexandria

Arlington County

Charles County

District of Columbia

Fairfax County

Frederick County

Loudoun County

Montgomery County

Prince George’s County

Prince William County

 

News & Multimedia

  • 2026_Foster_Parents_of_the_Year_group_photo
    News

    COG recognizes region's outstanding foster parents

    May 6, 2026

    COG has selected its 2026 Foster Parents of the Year honorees, recognizing foster parents from ten local jurisdictions for their dedication to foster youth...

  • FPOY25_image
    News

    COG celebrates region's outstanding foster parents

    May 15, 2025

    At its May meeting, officials on the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Board of Directors honored the 2025 Foster Parents of the Year...

  • 2024_FPOY
    News

    COG celebrates region's outstanding foster parents

    May 16, 2024

    The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments announced its 2024 Foster Parents of the Year honorees today, recognizing foster parents from 10 local...

  • FPOY2_640
    News

    COG recognizes region's outstanding foster parents

    May 10, 2023

    The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments announced its 2023 Foster Parents of the Year honorees during its monthly meeting today, recognizing foster...

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