News and Information
October 21, 2025
NCS centers with youth programs will hold special events in October in honor of the 26th annual Lights On Afterschool, a national rally for after school programs sponsored by the non-profit Afterschool Alliance. This year’s Lights On Afterschool observance is Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.
The Afterschool Alliance, an advocacy organization working to ensure that all children and youth have access to quality after-school programs, announced that after-school programs will hold thousands of events nationwide to highlight the ways after-school programs support student success. According to the Afterschool Alliance, some 8,000 after-school programs will take part in this year's Lights On Afterschool.
NCS offers School Age Child Care (SACC), Teen Centers and other youth programs at community centers and school locations throughout Fairfax County. For the 2025-26 school year, NCS has launched Beyond the Bell, a child care pilot program at 20 Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) elementary schools. Beyond the Bell will expand opportunities for safe, affordable and high-quality child care for county families.
All NCS programs provide a safe, structured environment for promoting social connections, commitment to learning, health, wellness and individual growth. Programs run on school days, as well as summer, spring and winter breaks.
SACC and BTB fees are based on household income. Many of the other programs are free.
A large body of evidence demonstrates improvements in grades, school attendance, behavior and more among children who participate in after-school programs, says the Afterschool Alliance.
Researchers have also found that students in after-school programs are more engaged in school and excited about learning and develop critical work and life skills such as problem solving, teamwork, and communications, according to the Afterschool Alliance.
To learn more about NCS programs for children and teens, visit this NCS website.
October 20, 2025
Fairfax County’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services is now accepting entries in the Fairfax Area High School Student Shark Tank Technology Challenge. Initial proposals are due Dec. 19, 2025.
Open to all students in Fairfax County, Fairfax City and the City of Falls Church, the 2025-26 challenge invites youth to develop an innovative device or app that will have a positive impact in the lives of older adults, adults with disabilities, caregivers or wounded warriors. A winning device should enhance independence and life enjoyment for the target audience, foster social connection and help reduce isolation, and be truly innovative – either by introducing something new to the marketplace or significantly improving an existing product.
The winning students will be recognized with cash awards provided by sponsor IntegrityOne Partners. Winners will also be recognized by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at a spring 2026 reception.
In the challenge, students make a pitch for funding to corporate leaders, community leaders and County supervisors. The winning pitch for the 2024-25 challenge came from Varsha Ayala and Eesha Viswanathan from The Madeira School in McLean. The team developed RapidX, a wearable health device that allows paramedics to retrieve patient data instantly, improving emergency response outcomes.
The competition is an initiative of the Fairfax 50+ Community Action Plan, which was passed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 2014. It supports Fairfax County’s Economic Success Program that seeks to grow and diversify the economy through innovation, social equity and expansion of science, technology, engineering and math education.
Key Dates:
December 19, 2025 - Deadline for initial proposals
February 25, 2026 - Deadline for full submissions
April 10, 2026 – Board of Supervisors reception for challenge winners
Please visit the Shark Tank Technology Challenge website for more details, including a detailed application packet. For additional assistance, email NCSTechChallenge@fairfaxcounty.gov.
October 13, 2025
Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services is proud to support October’s National Head Start Awareness Month and the important role that Head Start serves in school readiness.
Head Start is a national child development program that serves families with children from birth to age 5 and expectant parents. The program is designed to prepare children for success in school by enhancing their intellectual, social, emotional and physical development. This service is provided at no cost to eligible families.
In Fairfax County, Head Start and Early Head Start are under the administration of NCS in partnership with Fairfax County Public Schools, Family Child Care homes and Center Based programs. Providing this free educational program aligns with NCS’ mission to provide opportunities to access a continuum of resources that promote equity and create positive outcomes for people of all ages and abilities.
Families participating in Head Start are supported in a variety of areas:
Early childhood education and disability services.
Social services.
Connections to community resources.
Health services (medical, dental, nutrition, mental health and prenatal care).
Parenting curriculum.
Family literacy and resources for English language learners.
“Head Start helps shape brighter futures by giving every child a strong foundation to learn, grow, and thrive,” said Fairfax County Head Start Director Janet Stewart. “For decades, Head Start and Early Head Start programs have been essential in supporting the health, well-being and education of entire families. Research shows that children who participate in Head Start enter kindergarten equipped with the social, emotional and learning skills they need to succeed.”
There are Head Start and Early Head Start locations throughout the county. Please visit the NCS Head Start page to view the 2025 Annual Report and to learn more information.
Head Start is celebrating 60 years in 2025, Since 1965, Head Start programs have reached more than 40 million children and their families. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, children enrolled in Head Start are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college, achieve economic stability, and are better prepared to be parents themselves than similar children who do not attend the program.
Head Start currently serves nearly 750,000 children annually nationwide and 700 children in Fairfax County. Head Start Awareness Month was first recognized in October 1982.