Ideally, at risk children should remain with their actual families whenever possible. Although foster care services offered by the state of Virginia make every effort to keep them together, it isn't always possible. Once it is determimed that a child must leave the family unit and go into foster care, a host of other services becomes available to them, which are designed to promote child safety and well-being within a nurturing, family environment. Available services include: placement services, teaching independent living skills, physical and mental health treatment, mentoring and the opportunity for a permanent living situation, including transition services.