Department of Family Services – Children and Families

Fairfax County, Virginia

CONTACT INFORMATION: Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

703-324-7500
TTY 711

DFSinfo@fairfaxcounty.gov

12011 Government Center Parkway, Pennino Building
Fairfax, VA 22035

Oriane Eriksen,
Director

Department Resources

Related Resources

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month – Community Engagement Toolkit

Children’s lives can be positively changed and even saved by aware and active community members. Many situations and conditions are preventable once community programs and systems are engaged.

Child abuse and neglect cuts across all demographic areas and impacts our entire community. We know through research that adverse childhood experiences like child abuse result in long term health impacts and increased costs to society. Child abuse and neglect affects us all.

Join the conversation about Child Abuse Prevention Month with our community engagement toolkit.

message clouds graphic

Check out the talking points and easy-to-use tools for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram postings.

Social Media Tip: It's more effective to post a message with a graphic.

Talking Points

During Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, the pinwheel is used nationwide to symbolize the happy, healthy childhood all children deserve. Take some time this month to learn how protective factors and adverse childhood experiences impact families and communities. Share this information in our community to support children’s wellbeing #BuildingStrongerFamilies #ChildAbusePreventionMonth #FairfaxCountyFamilyServices:

In Fairfax County in FY 2020, more than 3,000 children were involved with Child Protective Services. Effective prevention and early intervention programs can help children grow up in the supportive, stable and nurturing environments they deserve.
Call the CPS Hotline if you have questions or concerns about a child’s safety. Fairfax County's Child Protective Services’ 24-hour hotline 703-324-7400 received approximately 13,000 calls in Fiscal Year 2020, many from people seeking help, guidance and referrals.
Visit the 2021 Child Abuse Prevention Month website for resources related to the theme Building Stronger Families. The most important thing we can do to help children thrive is to support families before they reach a crisis.
The county and our prevention partners offer valuable supportive services for families such as parenting and fathering classes, parent and teen support groups, online parenting videos, teen centers, and mentoring opportunities. 72% of parents who completed Fairfax County’s Parenting Education Programs demonstrated improved parenting and child-rearing attitudes; 90% of dads who completed Dads Parenting Classes increased or maintained positive involvement with their children. Take a class, refer a friend or check out online resources with these programs to make a difference!
Healthy relationships and environments act as a buffer against adverse experiences and ensure the long-term physical and emotional well-being of children. You can help by mentoring or volunteering with teens, being a safe and caring adult in a child’s life, or providing support and encouragement to struggling parents.

Facebook Graphics and Messages

Facebook Graphics

Follow these quick and easy steps to download a file to your computer:

Click on the graphic.
After it opens, right-click on the graphic and select to save the file.

Facebook Messages

Follow these quick and easy steps to copy a message and post it along with one of the graphics from your computer.

Highlight the text.
Right-click and select copy.
Paste the text into your post.

The Parent Support Line is a great resource for parents and caregivers of children. Staff can help with parenting advice, support, and tips to help navigate emotional and relational parenting issues. Language support is available. Call 703-324-7720 or email BuildingStrongerFamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. #BuildingStrongerFamilies #ChildAbusePreventionMonth #FairfaxCountyFamilyServices

If you're concerned about a child's well-being – or want to report or discuss a possible abuse or neglect situation – or want advice, counseling, resources or help, please call the Child Protective Services Hotline at 703-324-7400, TTY 711. http://bit.ly/2IZOXmg #ChildAbusePreventionMonth #BuildingStrongerFamilies #FairfaxCountyFamilyServices

Looking for some ways to connect with a teenager in these trying times? They need you more than they know. The Department of Family Services suggests some Ways to Make a Difference in a Teen’s Life: https://bit.ly/2QI06Ar #ChildAbusePreventionMonth #BuildingStrongerFamilies #FairfaxCountyFamilyServices

Last year in Fairfax County more than 3,000 children were involved with Child Protective Services. Effective prevention and early intervention programs can help children grow up in the supportive, stable and nurturing environments they deserve. http://bit.ly/CAPMhLt April is #ChildAbusePreventionMonth. #BuildingStrongerFamilies #FairfaxCountyFamilyServices

April is #ChildAbusePreventionMonth. Learn about our programs and resources that support thriving families. We are still working to support you. http://bit.ly/CAPMhLt #BuildingStrongerFamilies #FairfaxCountyFamilyServices

Intensive prevention and early intervention programs have helped to significantly decrease the number of children entering foster care in Fairfax County since 2012 to 76 in 2020. Learn more about how county programs support families in using positive parenting techniques http://bit.ly/CAPMhLt #ChildAbusePreventionMonth #BuildingStrongerFamilies #FairfaxCountyFamilyServices

Twitter Graphics and Messages

Twitter Graphics

Follow these quick and easy steps to download a file to your computer:

Click on the graphic.
After it opens, right-click on the graphic and select to save the file.

Twitter Messages

Follow these quick and easy steps to copy a message and post it along with one of the graphics from your computer.

Highlight the text.
Right-click and select copy.
Paste the text into your post.

The Parent Support Line offers parenting advice and support. Call 703-324-7720 or email BuildingStrongerFamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov, M-F 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. April is #ChildAbusePreventionMonth

Looking for ways to stay connected to your teen? DFS offers some tips for meeting them where they are. https://bit.ly/2QI06Ar April is #ChildAbusePreventionMonth. #BuildingStrongerFamilies #FairfaxCountyFamilyServices

Be on the lookout and report possible child abuse or neglect. Call 703-324-7400, TTY 711. http://bit.ly/2IZOXmg #ChildAbusePreventionMonth #BuildingStrongerFamilies #FairfaxCountyFamilyServices

April is #ChildAbusePreventionMonth. Learn about our programs and resources that support thriving families. We're still working to support you. http://bit.ly/CAPMhLt #BuildingStrongerFamilies #FairfaxCountyFamilyServices

April is #ChildAbusePreventionMonth. Learn how county early intervention programs support families and help decrease the numbers of children entering foster care. http://bit.ly/CAPMhLt #BuildingStrongerFamilies #FairfaxCountyFamilyServices

Instagram Graphics and Messages

Instagram Graphics

Follow these quick and easy steps to download a file to your computer:

Click on the graphic.
After it opens, right-click on the graphic and select to save the file.

Instagram Messages

Follow these quick and easy steps to copy a message and post it along with one of the graphics from your computer.

Highlight the text.
Right-click and select copy.
Paste the text into your post.

The Parent Support Line offers parenting advice and support. Call 703-324-7720 or email BuildingStrongerFamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov M-F 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. April is #ChildAbusePreventionMonth

Looking for ways to stay connected to your teen? DFS offers some tips for meeting them where they are. https://bit.ly/2QI06Ar April is #ChildAbusePreventionMonth #BuildingStrongerFamilies #FairfaxCountyFamilyServices

Be on the lookout and report possible child abuse or neglect. Call 703-324-7400, TTY 711. http://bit.ly/2IZOXmg #ChildAbusePreventionMonth #BuildingStrongerFamilies #FairfaxCountyFamilyServices

Pinwheel Challenge – Raise Awareness with These Activities

Join us in the Pinwheel Challenge!

Do all children deserve a supportive, stable and nurturing environment? Yes!

Blue pinwheels are reminders that children deserve a safe and healthy childhood.

During Child Abuse Prevention Month, we want to show kids we’re here for them by displaying pinwheels across our county!

Check out the activities you can do!

Draw a picture and tape it to your window.
Color a Pinwheel Coloring Sheet.
Color a poster and put it on your front door.
Chalk-color your driveway.
Make your own pinwheels out of household items.

Need a little help with making pinwheels? Here are three different and easy ways to make pinwheels:

Remember to put your pinwheels where they are visible to children of all ages who are passing through your neighborhood.

Email your pinwheel photos to BuildingStrongerFamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov or
Post a photo of your pinwheel(s) on social media and include:

#PinwheelChallenge
#BuildingStrongerFamilies
#ChildAbusePreventionMonth

Stay connected with DFS:
Facebook @FairfaxCountyFamilyServices
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices
#FairfaxCountyFamilyServices

Zoom Pinwheel Backgrounds

Show your support for Child Abuse Prevention with these fun pinwheel backgrounds from Prevent Child Abuse America/Healthy Families America. Download your favorite design and use them as a background in your virtual meetings.

Follow these quick and easy steps to download a file to your computer:

Click on the graphic.
After it opens, right-click on the graphic and select to save the file.

Department Resources

Related Resources