Children and Families

Senator Favola is a leading advocate for children, youth, and families. She has sponsored legislation to implement paid sick days and strongly believes that paid family leave should be available to all workers. No one should have to sacrifice a paycheck to care for their newborn or adopted child or seriously ill family member.

Senator Favola sponsored legislation to keep children safe in schools and in daycare settings. She passed a law to ensure that school districts are promptly informed if one of their employees is credibly accused of child abuse or neglect, so that such individuals do not continue to have contact with children in our schools. She also passed legislation to improve oversight of child care homes and require that child care centers inform parents if they are not licensed.

Every child needs to grow up in a safe and loving environment. Senator Favola is dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect and supporting families in crisis. She passed a law requiring prompt investigation of reports of abuse or neglect of children under age two, an early intervention to help reduce infant fatalities.

Senator Favola has worked to reform the foster care system in the Commonwealth so that foster youth are supported and afforded the opportunity to succeed. She passed a landmark law to keep children out of the foster care system by prioritizing placement with family members. Children who are placed with relatives generally have better behavioral and mental health outcomes, and increased opportunities for permanency. Senator Favola has also worked to enhance support systems for youths aging out of the foster care system. She passed a consequential law requiring Virginia to participate in the federal Fostering Futures Program, which provides financial and support services, such as assistance with housing and education, to young adults who have aged out of the foster care system until they reach the age of 21.

Senator Favola chairs the Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee in the Senate and the Virginia Commission on Youth, where she continues to work on legislation to improve child welfare in Virginia.