Privacy Policy

Effective August 13, 2026

The Friends of Foster Care operates this website and the programs described on it. This policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. If you have questions, contact us at 999 Waterside Dr., Suite 310, Norfolk, VA 23510, by phone at 757-227-4187, or by email at office@friendsoffostercare.org.

Information We Collect

We collect the information you give us when you complete a referral, intake, enrollment, volunteer, or gift request form, when you create an account in one of our portals, and when you contact our staff. This includes names, mailing addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, and information about the youth and families we serve that is needed to provide our programs. We also collect limited technical information that your browser sends automatically, such as your IP address and the pages you view on this site.

How We Use Information

We use the information to deliver our programs, to match youth with tutors and services, to schedule sessions and appointments, to send program updates and reminders, to respond to your questions, and to meet our reporting obligations to funders and partner agencies. We do not use your information for advertising.

Text Messaging

If you give us your mobile number and consent, our staff may text you about your services. Mobile phone numbers and text messaging consent are never sold, rented, or shared with third parties or affiliates for their own marketing purposes. We do not share text messaging consent with anyone outside The Friends of Foster Care, including for lead generation. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP at any time to stop receiving texts, or reply HELP for help. Our full text messaging terms are on our SMS Terms and Conditions page.

How We Share Information

We share personal information only when it is needed to run our programs or when the law requires it. That includes sharing with the local departments of social services, caseworkers, schools, and partner agencies involved in a youth’s care, and with service providers who help us operate our systems, such as our software and email providers, who may use the information only to provide services to us. We do not sell personal information.

Security

We limit access to personal information to staff and contractors who need it to do their work, and we use industry standard safeguards to protect the systems that store it. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Your Choices

You may ask us to correct or delete your personal information, or ask what information we hold about you, by emailing office@friendsoffostercare.org. You may opt out of text messages by replying STOP and out of program emails by using the unsubscribe link. Records we are required to keep for grant reporting or child welfare purposes may be retained even after a request.

Children’s Information

Our programs serve children and youth in foster care. Information about a child is collected from caregivers, social workers, and partner agencies rather than from the child directly, and it is used only to provide services to that child.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy. When we do, we will change the effective date at the top of the page.