Department of Family Services Programs & Services Guide
Contents
-
Introduction: About the
Department of Family Services
-
Office
Locations
-
Programs &
Services
-
Advisory
Groups
- Volunteer Opportunities
Introduction
Mission
Promote self sufficiency. Protect the vulnerable. Educate children, individuals, families and the community.
Vision
The Department of Family Services envisions a safe, prosperous, educated and healthy community for all who live here. The department is recognized as an essential catalyst in moving our community toward that vision.
About the Department of Family Services
The Fairfax County Department of Family Services offers a wide range of community programs and services for residents of Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church. Offices are conveniently located in Fairfax, Falls Church, Reston and the Richmond Highway/Alexandria area.
Our services include:
- Protecting the vulnerable – children, seniors and adults with disabilities.
- Providing affordable, quality child care and resources for early childhood education.
- Helping seniors and adults with disabilities maintain their independence.
- Helping individuals and families become self-sufficient.
- Supporting and strengthening families.
Many programs administered by the county’s Department of Family Services receive federal and/or state funding and have specific eligibility requirements.
Department of Family Services staff includes:
- Community education and prevention specialists.
- Early childhood education specialists, child care providers and preschool teachers.
- Eligibility (public assistance) specialists.
- Employment and training specialists.
- Geriatric specialists.
- Social workers.
Other staff members work in areas such as planning, budget and financial support; legislative and policy development; data and program research; staff development and training; and community education.
Community volunteers participate in many of the department’s programs
and serve on county boards, authorities and commissions helping to
guide and carry out its important work.
Office Locations
TTY Information
Throughout this document, all county telephone numbers listed
include a corresponding “TTY” number. This refers to a “text
telephone” that enables people with speech or hearing disabilities to
communicate with the Family Services staff via telephone.
Language Services
Language interpretation services (including sign language) are
available at no cost to clients. Many Family Services public
information materials are available in multiple languages.
For more information on the programs and services of the Fairfax
County Department of Family Services, call 703-324-7500; TTY
703-222-9452.
Programs and Services
Adult and Aging
Adult and Aging Services
703-324-7948
TTY
703-449-1186
Helps older adults 60 and over, and adults over the age of 18 with
disabilities. Programs maximize independence and enhance family and
social supports with an emphasis on community education and volunteer
resources.
Adult Protective
Services
703-324-7450
TTY 703-449-1186
Investigates suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of
incapacitated persons 18 years or older, or adults 60 years or
older who live in their own home or in a facility. Provides case
management for adults who are at risk of being abused, neglected or
exploited.
Adult
Services
703-222-0880
TTY 703-449-1186
Provides case management including needs assessments, care plans,
coordination and authorization of services, follow-up and
reassessments. Services are provided based on income and need.
Preadmission Screenings
703-222-0880
TTY 703-449-1186
Determines functional eligibility of individuals who apply for
auxiliary grants for assisted living facilities or Medicaid funding
for nursing homes or community-based care.
Fairfax Area Agency on
Aging
703-324-5411
TTY 703-449-1186
Fax
703-449-8689
Represents and supports persons age 60 and over and their
caregivers.
Aging, Disability and Caregiver Resources
703-324-7948
703-449-1186
Fax 703-449-8689
Provides information to older adults, caregivers and people with
disabilities about services such as home-delivered meals, home
care, respite services, transportation, housing and legal services.
Community Education
703-324-5411
703-449-1186
Fax 703-449-8689
Provides the monthly Golden
Gazette newspaper, a list of speakers available to attend
community events, and the electronic newsletter Caregiver’s Corner Online.
ElderLink
703-324-5374
703-449-1186
Fax 703-449-8689
For older adults and their caregivers, provides assessments,
consultation and case management.
Home-Delivered Meals and
Nutritional Supplement
703-324-5411
703-449-1186
Fax 703-449-8689
Delivers meals to homebound older adults and to adults with
disabilities. Nutritional supplements are provided with a
physician’s prescription to low-income individuals with special
nutritional needs.
Northern Virginia Long-Term Care
Ombudsman Program
703-324-5861
703-449-1186
Fax 703-449-8689
Helps ensure quality of care for residents at licensed nursing
homes, assisted living facilities, adult day health care centers,
and for recipients of home care services.
Virginia Insurance Counseling and
Assistance Program
703-324-5851
703-449-1186
Fax 703-449-8689
Volunteer program assists older adults with health insurance
issues.
Volunteer
Solutions
703-324-7948
703-449-1186
Fax 703-449-8689
Volunteers assist with a variety of services including grocery
shopping, transportation, minor home repair, visiting, and seasonal
yard work.
Disability Services Planning and
Development
703-324-5421
TTY 703-449-1186
Fax
703-449-8689
Helps persons with physical and sensory disabilities maximize their
opportunities and gain access to programs related to their needs.
Children, Youth and Families
703-324-7500
TTY
703-222-9452The following programs and services are designed to: Protect children from harm. Prevent child abuse and neglect. Help families remain together safely. Support families to ensure normal development and long-term emotional and physical health of children.
Adoption
Services
703-324-7639
TTY 703-222-9452
Placement services for children; adoption counseling for birth
parents; post-adoption support services for families of children with
special needs.
Child
Protective Services
703-324-7400
TTY 703-222-9452
Investigation and assessment in response to complaints of child
abuse and neglect; support services for families at risk. The CPS
HOTLINE – 703-324-7400 (24 hours) or TTY 703-222-9452 – receives
reports of suspected abuse and neglect, as well as requests for
guidance and information, and provides referrals to counseling
resources and support services.
Family
Preservation Services
703-324-7500
TTY 703-222-9452
Comprehensive assessment and case management services for families
to prevent child abuse, neglect and out-of-home placement of
children.
Foster
Care
703-324-7639
TTY 703-222-9452
Placement and supervision of abused, neglected or dependent children
and youth (from infancy to age 18) who have been separated
temporarily from their parents and placed in the legal custody of
Family Services.
Housing
Emergency
Housing
703-222-0880
TTY 703-222-9452
Temporary emergency shelters and social services for homeless
county residents.
Partnership
for Permanent Housing
703-219-2181
Virginia Relay 711
Case management and supportive services for homeless families,
with the goal of helping them achieve home ownership.
Transitional Housing
Temporary housing for homeless families, with the goal of helping
them achieve self-sufficiency.
Child
Abuse Prevention Programs
703-324-7720
TTY 703-222-9452
The following programs focus on preventing child abuse and neglect
through family strengthening and parenting education in
communitybased settings.
Programs include:
BeFriend-A-Child : Adult volunteers provide companionship and guidance to children 5 - 12 who have been, or are at risk of being, abused or neglected.
BeFriend-A-Parent: Volunteers befriend a DFS client to listen, learn and work together on parenting and personal needs and skills, and to build a trusting mentor relationship.
Blue Ribbon Campaign to Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect: A public awareness campaign to keep children safe from abuse and neglect.
Family Resource Centers: Drop-in neighborhood centers with programs and services to help strengthen families.
Healthy Families Fairfax: Home-visiting services to new parents to help increase the likelihood of a child’s healthy birth and development.
Neighborhood Networks: Connects families who are facing significant challenges to neighborhood resources so they can become stabilized and serve as resources to others in their own neighborhood.
Nurturing Parenting Program: Group classes teach parenting skills to help strengthen and promote healthy family relationships and family functioning. The program involves parents and children simultaneously.
Self-Sufficiency
Provides employment services and public assistance to help individuals and families become self-sufficient and secure a more stable family life.
Employment
Services
Fairfax: 703-324-7280
TTY 703-222-9452
Falls Church: 703-533-5400
TTY 703-533-5316
South County: 703-704-6286
TTY 703-799-3435
North County: 703-787-4974
TTY 703-222-9452
Job seeker services include case management, career assessments,
supportive services, and access to job training. The Business
Services Team works with employers to coordinate job fairs and an
annual Career Expo.
Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Virginia Initiative for
Employment not Welfare (VIEW)
Fairfax: 703-324-7602
TTY 703-222-9452
Fax
703-324-8180
Falls Church: 703-533-5494
TTY 703-533-5316
Fax
703-237-5860
South County: 703-704-6332
TTY 703-799-3435
Fax
703-704-6467
North County: 703-324-7602
<TTY 703-222-9452
Fax 703-324-8180
-
TANF
Provides temporary cash assistance to low-income families with children under 18 years old. -
VIEW
Helps parents who are receiving TANF prepare to enter, succeed and advance in the workplace.
Energy Assistance Program
Fairfax: 703-324-7500
TTY 703-222-9452
Fax
703-324-7757
www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/ea/index.html
Helps low-income households pay their heating and cooling bills.
The programs listed below can be reached using the
following phone numbers:
TTY 703-222-9452
Fax 703-324-7757Falls Church: 703-533-5300
TTY 703-533-5525
Fax 703-533-5525South County: 703-704-6353
TTY 703-704-6685
Fax 703-704-6467North County: 703-787-4900
TTY 703-707-9335
Fax 703-707-9335
Food Stamp Program
www.dss.state.va.us/benefit/foodstamp.html
Provides a card to low-income individuals and families to help them
buy food at local grocery stores.
Medicaid
or FAMIS-Plus Program
Long-Term Care and Medicaid Waiver phone number: 703-324-7504
Helps with medical care for low-income elderly, blind and disabled
individuals; pregnant women; needy children and their caretakers; and
refugees when they first enter the U.S.
Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS)
Program
www.famis.org/welcome.cfm?lang=English
Medical coverage for children whose families have no other health
insurance and whose incomes, although low, exceed the income
requirements for Medicaid/FAMIS-Plus.
State-Local Hospitalization (SLH) Program
www.dmas.virginia.gov/rcp-SLH_information.htm
Helps low-income individuals pay hospital bills.
General Relief Program
www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/gr/index.html
Provides a monthly check to low-income, temporarily disabled adults,
and to needy children living with non-relatives.
Refugee Assistance Program
www.dss.virginia.gov/family/ons/index.html
Provides a monthly check to low-income refugees and asylees during
their first eight months in the U.S.
Auxiliary Grant Program
www.dss.virginia.gov/family/auxgrant.html
Provides a monthly check to Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
recipients and other elderly, blind or disabled people who live in
assisted living facilities or in approved adult foster homes.
Office For Children
703-324-8000
TTY
711Advances the care, education and healthy development of children from birth to 12 years old.
Child Care Assistance and
Referral
703-449-8484
TTY 711
Helps families find and pay for child care.
Head Start and Early Head
Start
703-324-8290
TTY 711
A federal/local child development program for pregnant women and
children up to the age of five from low-income families. Provides
comprehensive health and social services for families and educational
programs for children.
Fairfax Futures
703-324-8126
TTY 711
A nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening early childhood
education in Fairfax County by raising support as well as private
investment.
Institute for Early
Learning
703-324-3044
TTY 711
Offers professional development classes to improve the skills and
competencies of child care center staff and family child care
providers.
Permits and
Regulations
703-324-8100
TTY 711
Provides technical assistance and home inspections to ensure that
family child care homes meet the requirements of the Home Child Care
Permit.
School Age Child
Care
703-449-1414
TTY 711
Offers fun, safe and educational care for 5 - 12 year-olds before
school, after school and during school vacations.
School Readiness
Collaborative
703-324-8053
TTY 711
Brings community partners together to improve the quality of child
care so children are ready to succeed when they start school.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child Care Food
Program
703-324-8100
TTY 711
Helps child care providers plan and pay for the nutritious meals for
children in their care.
Office For Women
703-324-5730
TTY
703-324-5706
Fax
703-324-3959Goals:
- Promote the full equality of women and girls in Fairfax County.
- Advise the Board of Supervisors on the concerns of Fairfax County’s women and girls.
- Present possible solutions to problems that affect women and girls.
- Effect long-term change through public education, policy reform and building community partnerships.
Advisory Groups
The advisory groups listed below provide support and oversight to the work and mission of the Department of Family Services. Some are mandated by federal, state or local laws or by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Members of the various advisory groups are appointed by local or other officials.
- Advisory Social Services Board (ASSB)
- Child Care Advisory Council (CCAC)
- Community Action Advisory Board (CAAB)
- Fairfax Area Commission on Aging (FA-COA)
- Fairfax Area Disability Services Board (FA-DSB)
- Fairfax County Commission for Women
- Head Start Parent Policy Council
- Northern Virginia Workforce Investment Board (NVWIB)
- School Age Child Care Parent Advisory Council (SACCPAC)
For more information on citizen participation in Fairfax County government, contact the Office of the Clerk to the Board, 703-324-3151; TTY 703-324-3903 or the supervisor for your district. More information is available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/bacs/
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Programs Serving Children and Families
BeFriend-A-Child : Adult volunteers provide companionship and guidance to children 5 - 12 who have been, or are at risk of being abused or neglected. Volunteers commit to the program for one year. Call 703-324-7072; TTY 703-324-9452.
BeFriend-A-Parent: Volunteers befriend a DFS client to listen, learn and work together on parenting and personal needs and skills, and to build a trusting mentor relationship. Volunteers must commit to the program for at least six months. Call 703-324-7871; TTY 703-324-9452.
Fairfax Families4Kids: Volunteers mentor youth who are in need of adoptive families. Volunteers and youth have contact twice a month. Volunteers also help organize monthly events in the community promoting opportunities for youth and prospective adoptive parents and mentors to meet. Volunteers make a two-year commitment. Call 703-324-7656; TTY 703-324-9452.
Family Resource Centers: Volunteers perform a variety of duties that serve families and children in neighborhood centers. Positions include program assistants, tutors, small group facilitators and child care providers. One-time and ongoing volunteer opportunities available. Call 703-324-7871; TTY 703-324-9452.
Foster Parenting: Foster parents provide support and care for children in foster care. Ongoing support and training are provided, as well as a monthly stipend for the child’s expenses. Call 703-324-7639; TTY 703- 324-9452. Nurturing Parenting Program: Volunteers facilitate group classes that teach parenting skills to help strengthen and promote healthy family relationships. Volunteers may work with parents or children. Call 703- 324-7871; TTY 703-324-9452.
Office for Children Volunteer Opportunities
Head Start: Uses volunteers to read to children age 0 to 5; assist teachers with administrative preparations; go on field trips; and other activities. Volunteers must successfully pass a background screening and provide proof of a negative TB test. To apply, call 703-324-8290; TTY 711.
Provider Services: The Office for Children issues the Family Home Child Care permit to Fairfax County residents who want to care for children in their homes. Volunteers work alongside employees in making phone calls and completing surveys; stuffing envelopes; labeling mail; making copies, compiling training and informational packets; updating databases; and scanning documents into a storage system. Volunteers may also be invited to help staff information tables at community events. To apply, call 703-324-8100; TTY 711.
Volunteer Programs Serving Adults Age 60 and Older
703-324-5406
TTY
703-449-1186
Cluster Care Program: Individuals, faith-based organizations, companies and organizations volunteer with seniors 60+ and adults with disabilities. Enhances the lives of clients in need, offsets the cost of home-based care, and brings the community closer together.
Friendship Senior: Volunteers visit socially isolated adults, age 60 and older, to provide companionship and emotional support.
Korean Senior Information Line: Volunteers offer telephone assistance to Korean-speaking older adults who need resources and services.
Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: Volunteers advocate for the needs and rights of residents of licensed nursing homes and assisted living facilities – a weekly four-hour commitment.
Meals on Wheels: Volunteers deliver meals to homebound area residents. Commitment can adjust to meet volunteer’s availability.
Nutritional Supplement Program: Volunteers pick up nutritional supplements once a month at a predetermined site and deliver to homebound individuals. This is a six-month commitment.
Pets on Wheels: Trained volunteers bring pets to visit area nursing homes and assisted living facilities to provide the residents with companionship and affection.
Telephone Reassurance: Volunteers make a social telephone call once a week to an older person.
Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program: Trained volunteers help older adults understand Medicare rules and HMO plans, Medigap policies, and long-term care insurance; and help them file medical insurance claim forms.
Volunteer Home Services for Seniors: Volunteers are "on call" to provide services, such as grocery shopping, household tasks, minor home maintenance, transportation (to medical appointments and errands), and yard work.
More information about the Department of Family Services is provided in the annual report of the Advisory Social Services Board, available on the Fairfax County Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/assb2007d.htm. The report is also available in hard copy or in an alternate format by calling 703-324-5870; TTY 703-222-9452.
For more information on the programs and services
of the Fairfax County Department of Family Services, call
703-324-7500
TTY 703-222-9452
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs

