About Us

COG is the one place in metropolitan Washington that regularly brings leaders together to develop solutions to the region's major challenges. COG prepares plans enabling the region to receive federal funding, provides members with research and data to inform decision-making, and offers a wide range of programs, including commuter services, cooperative purchasing, technical assistance and grants, and public outreach campaigns.

Transportation

Through the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB), area officials, planners, and engineers ensure a well-managed and maintained transportation system. The TPB, which is staffed by COG, conducts the federally mandated transportation planning process for the region and ensures the uninterrupted flow of federal transportation funds that area jurisdictions receive.

Environment

COG's work engages leaders in various environmental fields from water quality experts to climate scientists. Together, they are advancing regional efforts to restore local waterways, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change, promote recycling, and enhance and preserve green space and agriculture.

Community & Economy

Area officials and experts, including planning and housing directors and child welfare and health officials, work together with their counterparts at COG to help shape stronger communities throughout the region.

Homeland Security & Public Safety

COG brings police chiefs, fire chiefs, emergency managers, and other leaders together as part of its work to strengthen regional public safety coordination, homeland security planning, and emergency communication.

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

Prince George’s County

Prince William County

News & Multimedia

News

Adoption Expo in Washington, D.C. to Kick-Off National Adoption Month

November 1, 2010

Area leaders interviewed on adoption and foster care
News

Crime Is Down In The Metropolitan Washington Region, As Is The Number Of Children Entering Foster Care

July 14, 2010

Two reports released today indicate positive trends in region: crime is down and fewer children are entering foster care.
News

Region's Outstanding Foster Parents Begin Campaign to Attract New Foster Families

April 29, 2010

Freddie Mac Foundation, COG partner to sponsor ad outreach.
News

Foster Parents Honored At Regional Appreciation Gala

June 2, 2009

COG and the Freddie Mac Foundation present area foster parents with awards for service. Plus, Chairman Gross discusses the Gala in the latest episode of 'The...
News

New PSA Highlights Famous Foster Children

February 4, 2009

Black History Month message encourages area residents to become foster parents.

Results: 41 found.

Child Welfare

2025 Foster Parents of the Year

News & Multimedia

Adoption Expo in Washington, D.C. to Kick-Off National Adoption Month

Crime Is Down In The Metropolitan Washington Region, As Is The Number Of Children Entering Foster Care

Region's Outstanding Foster Parents Begin Campaign to Attract New Foster Families

Foster Parents Honored At Regional Appreciation Gala

New PSA Highlights Famous Foster Children