SPRINGFIELD AND FRANCONIA EXCHANGE. A Human Services Community Lunch Series -is FREE and open to the community. Regions IV & V Department of Systems Management for Human Services coordinates quarterly luncheons which are held at the First Baptist Church of Springfield, 7300 Gary Street, Springfield, VA. 22152. This is an ongoing event that takes place every other month. Same location .Same time. We invite presenters to talk and discuss issues that are of interest and of needs in our community. It is mostly attended by service providers from community and faith based organizations. Participants are encouraged to share program materials at the resource table and to network with other representatives from agencies and community-based organizations. Feedback from participants guides the planning for these presentations. The brown bag luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m., followed by a panel presentation between 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.
A flyer is mailed approximately two weeks before the event, which specifies the topic, organizations and presenters. To confirm or to add your name on the mailing list or email list, please, call Paulette Whiteside at 703-324-7130 or email her at Paulette.whiteside@fairfaxcounty.gov. Announcements are also made to county employees via the county's Internal NewsLink system.


CENTRAL FAIRFAX FORUM- Building Our Community One Piece at a Time.
CFF is a coalition of non-profit human service organizations, government agencies and other interested groups in the central Fairfax County community. (Regions 4& 5) .We meet every month on the fourth Monday.

Our Mission:
To serve as a catalyst to help the community focus on specific issues by bringing together different groups and individuals to search for strategies to address concerns and unmet needs.

Goals:
Build understanding and cooperation among members and the community we serve. Bring together schools, neighborhoods associations, business, faith and community based organizations, and police to work together toward common goals.
Educate, train and advocate for the changing needs of the diverse central Fairfax county (Human Services Regions IV and V).
Increase participation of diverse community organizations involved in meeting the basic needs of Central Fairfax County residents.

Activities and Accomplishments:
Training targeting volunteers and staff from community and faith based organizations such as 'Dealing with Difficult Behaviors", "Dynamics of Culture", "Emergency Housing", "Immigration"," Growing your Money" etc.
For more information call Tilly Blanding at 703-324-5252 or email at tilly.blanding@fairfaxcounty.gov

NEIGHBORHOOD COLLEGE. Building a Strong Community. A unique six-week community Leadership program to learn how to work with other residents and local government to strengthen your neighborhood and promote a strong sense of community. The Neighborhood College features engaging, hands-on activities to help improve your organizational and problem solving skills. It is tailored to specific needs and challenges in local communities in Fairfax County. Through a combination of lectures, group discussions and field work participants will learn:

How to identify and access Fairfax County Resources
How to influence the decision making process
Local demographics
Cultural Competency
How to build community partnerships
How to operate effectively as a local leader

The Regional Manager and Regional Community Developer plan and implement this project with partners in the community. This valuable course is free to community residents. For information call Paulette Whiteside at
703-324-5285 or email her at Paulette.whiteside@fairfaxcounty.gov

COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS WITH OTHER REGIONS, COUNTY AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. Regions 4 & 5 participates in collaborative projects with staff from other regional offices, other county agencies and community and faith-based organizations on various initiatives such as Gang Prevention Community Dialogs, Springfield Community Resource Team ( CRT), Chantilly Mews Housing Development initiative, Sully District and Fair Oaks District Community Police, Poverty Simulation, Chantilly and Westfield Schools-Community Coalitions, Yorkville Initiatives, Fairfax County Department of Recreation Focus Groups and other events in the community.

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