Department of Family Services Programs & Services Guide

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.

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.

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.

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 703-222-9452
The 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

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:

 

 

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:

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 711
Advances 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 703-324-3959
Goals:

• 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.

 

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 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