Foster Care
reinvented
“Impact gave us the extra support we needed to care for a child who was logistically difficult to care for.”
April Estrada
Director of Foster Care
April has a master's degree in Clinical Psychology and over twenty years in the child welfare arena. She has worked with youth in foster care, biological families, and foster families in various capacities throughout her career. One of her favorite roles is helping a prospective foster family throughout the home-study process because she enjoys getting to know families and helping them uncover their strengths that could benefit youth in foster care. April is passionate about making sure foster families have what they need in order to provide healing homes. She recognizes that foster parenting is a very complex responsibility, and believes that all foster families can be successful if their needs are met by the placing agency.
April has always had a heart for older youth in foster care and has received a great deal of training in the areas of attachment, resiliency, and trauma-informed care. She currently serves as the secretary for VALCPA (Virginia Association of Licensed Child Placing Agencies) and as a member of the Public Policy and Conference committees for FFTA (Family Focused Treatment Association), a national group dedicated to strengthening families. April has a specific interest and knowledge in workplace culture, which she believes significantly impacts the care given to children and families by a child welfare agency. April loves spending time with her husband Ricco, their two teenage daughters, and their two chihuahua children. She also loves watching UVA Basketball and lives for March Madness.
Hear from our Impact staff about frequently asked questions
Would I be a good foster parent?
Being a foster parent can appear intimidating, but it is not as difficult or scary as it seems. All it takes is the willingness to love and provide for a child who needs it. Remember, you are not alone! Impact will be with you and provide resources to you along the way. Take this quiz to find out what would make you a good foster parent.
Why Impact?
Children who are removed from their homes go into the custody of their local Department of Social Services. DSS then has to place the child in a certified foster home. Sometimes a child needs more assistance because of their reaction to the trauma they have experienced. It is occasionally difficult to find a home willing to take a teenager. Sometimes the child is preferred to be the only child or the youngest child. Occasionally there are behavioral needs and the child requires more assistance. This is where Impact comes in! Impact partners with local Departments of Social Services to help place children in “Therapeutic Foster Care.” In addition to the assistance provided by the local DSS, Therapeutic Foster Homes through Impact will receive in-depth and more comprehensive support than a traditional foster home.
Our Difference
We believe that the outcomes for youth in foster care do not have to be negative.
We believe that positive outcomes start with intentionality.
We believe that all youth, foster families, and staff all thrive when they are heard, respected, supported, and included.
We have gathered the best professionals who are creative and passionate about changing outcomes for children and teens in foster care.
We believe in providing training and resources (to foster families and staff) that are meaningful, individualized, and ongoing.
Our Mission
To provide the best experience possible for those involved in the foster care system.
Our Promise
Comprehensive support to the entire foster family, which may include:
Support hours for each youth including, life coaching, Independent Living coaching, tutoring, mentoring, family coaching, and family counseling in the home.
Use of volunteers to meet additional needs identified by the foster family.
Utilization of an Independent Living skills curriculum for older youth.
Active engagement with birth family.
“Impact helped us navigate the confusing world of foster care and DSS.”
What is Treatment Foster Care?
Treatment foster care is the temporary placement of youth with specially trained foster families that receive additional support (including financial support) to work with youth who have emotional or behavioral or medical issues.
What types of families are we looking for?
Impact is looking for families that want to make an impact on children and youth in foster care. You can be married or single, widowed, or divorced. You may have parenting experience or you may not. We need families that will provide a secure base for children and help provide independent living skills for older youth. We are simply looking for real families that want to make a real difference in a vulnerable child’s life.
Who do we serve?
We serve children and teens differently. Our program for children stresses the importance of creating a secure base and healthy attachments. Our program for teens emphasizes learning independent living skills and putting them to practice to better-ready youth to one day live independently. Children and teens living in foster homes often have multiple foster home placements because the foster family does not receive mindful, individualized support from their foster care agency. Impact believes in heavily reinforcing this support to improve those outcomes.
Where do we serve?
We have offices in Lynchburg, Roanoke, Fairfax, and Harrisonburg, but are looking for foster families and referrals from all surrounding cities and counties.