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TextStory Ideas in Fairfax County Government
Fairfax County Office of Public
Affairs
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 551
Fairfax, VA 22035-0065
703-324-3187, TTY 703-324-2935, FAX 703-324-2010
Dec. 30, 2004
Story Ideas in Fairfax County Government
Through Future Features, the Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs regularly informs the media about great story ideas in Fairfax County government. The information provided gives the background on a newsworthy story, as well as contact information to provide more information, interviews, etc. For additional questions about the Future Features service, contact the Office of Public Affairs at 703-324-3187, TTY 703-324-2935.
Fairfax County DFS and Kidsave International Launch Adoptive
Family Program
Recently, Verdia L. Haywood, deputy county executive for Fairfax County,
kicked off the official recruiting launch for Kidsave Fairfax Weekend
Miracles. Beverly Howard, the county’s Kidsave Fairfax coordinator,
explained that through Weekend Miracles an individual or a family works
with a child to find an adoptive home. “We are looking for families to
host the children on weekends over a three-month period to help find
adoptive families,” Howard continued. “There is no commitment for the
host family to adopt, but we ask that they introduce the children to the
family’s circle of friends and take the children to planned events where
potential adoptive families will be present.” Howard added that
organizations and businesses also can support the program by hosting
events for the children.
Carolyn Fowler, foster care and adoption program manager for the Fairfax County Department of Family Services, says “Our goal is that no child leaves foster care without a permanent, lasting connection to an adult. “Kidsave Fairfax Weekend Miracles is an ideal public/private partnership,” said Fowler. “It combines the social work expertise of DFS, and the marketing support and coalition building of Kidsave International, a nonprofit organization. This program is being used successfully by Kidsave International to help children from Russian, Kazakh and Colombian orphanages to find adoptive families in the United States.” For more information about Kidsave Fairfax Weekend Miracles, go to www.kidsave.org or call 703-683-5437, TTY 711.
Winter Weather Means Possible Office Closings
When bad weather hits this winter, it could affect county offices, and
in turn affect members of the public who need to do business with the
county or use county facilities. To help, here is a summary of the
county’s closing policy and places to learn the status of county
closings. In the event of bad weather, the county executive decides if
county facilities should be opened, closed or on delayed arrival, and if
unscheduled (formerly liberal) leave or emergency administrative leave is
to be granted for employees.
• Open – County is open as usual.
• Delayed arrival – Conditions warrant the county executive to delay the
work day. Most county offices will not be open to the public for business
until the specified delayed opening time.
• Closed – County facilities are closed.
• Unscheduled leave – Most county facilities will still open at the
regular time, but employees have the option to take unscheduled leave.
Employees designated as emergency service personnel must report for
work.
• Emergency administrative leave – Most county facilities will be
closed. Paid leave is authorized by the county executive.
To find county closing information, visit
www.fairfaxcounty.gov, call the emergency information line at
703-817-7771, TTY 711, watch cable Channel 16 or your local television
station, or listen to local radio stations which are provided with
closing information as soon as the decision has been made. For more
information, contact the Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs at
703-324-3187, TTY 703-324-2935.
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