Department of Family Services – Children, Youth and Families

Fairfax County, Virginia

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

703-324-7500
TTY 711

12011 Government Center Parkway, Pennino Building
Fairfax, VA 22035

Oriane Eriksen,
Director

November is Adoption Awareness Month


Katie and Zak's Foster Care and Adoption Journey

Katie holding a laughing ZakMeet Katie and Zak. Katie is a teacher with Fairfax County Public Schools and a single mom who became part of a large extended family when Zak came into her life when he was 2 years old. Their story shows how foster care and adoption can knit together the lives and hearts of people from different backgrounds, locations, and cultures to make something beautiful and affirming for everyone involved. Learn more about their story and how we help connect children with forever families through adoption. Check out this video to learn more about Katie and Zak’s foster care to adoption journey.


County Magazine Features Adoption Awareness Month

Jessica Moser Check out this interview highlighting adoption facts in 2022. Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption Specialist Jessica Moser discusses the value of adoption from foster care and ways the Department of Family Services supports families considering this path.


The Hardin Family's Foster Care and Adoption Story

screenshot Danita Hardin and seven childrenMeet Danita, a retired teacher turned full-time mom who devotes herself to caring for her growing family of eight children. Over time, as it became clear that the children would not be able to return to their birth families, Danita adopted two sets of siblings and one teenager from foster care. She is caring for another child in foster care. In a home overflowing with such love and laughter, there is never a dull moment. Danita Hardin is licensed and supported by our partner organization, For Children’s Sake of Virginia, which offers therapeutic foster care and services for families. We appreciate their partnership in the creation of this video. Learn more about their story and how we help connect children with forever families through adoption.


Adoption Snapshots Tell a Story – Meet the Chirino-Mendez Family

Adoption Snapshots - Chirino-Mendez family feature photo graphicAdoption Snapshots catches a glimpse of families brought together through adoption. Parents share in their own words what it was like to meet and then build a bond with the children they have welcomed into their hearts and homes. We're grateful for these parents who were courageous enough to partner with our agency to provide permanent homes to children in need. Learn more about Adoption Snapshots.


Children Awaiting Adoption

AdameMeet some of the wonderful children awaiting adoption through the Department of Family Services, or check out the state listing of children awaiting adoption throughout Virginia.

Most of these children are older children and youth or sibling groups who can benefit from the support of loving families to help them succeed in life. Please share their profiles and videos to help them find permanent families.


Adoption Community Engagement Toolkit

message clouds graphicJoin the conversation on social media and help raise awareness about adoption from foster care. Use the graphics and messages in our community engagement toolkit to spread the word through social media.


County Conversation Podcast on Adoption

Studio MicrophoneCheck out these conversations between County Conversation podcast host Jim Person and several Foster Care and Adoption specialists. Learn about their work with the Department of Family Services, and the need for relatives, family friends, and community members, who are willing to foster and even adopt children when parents are unable to care for them.

 


Adoption Fun Facts

  • Between Oct. 1, 2021 and Oct. 1, 2022, 26 adoptions were finalized in Fairfax County.

  • 19% of children adopted were 10 years old and older.

  • 81% of children adopted were 9 years old and younger.

Story in Stats

 

For more statistics about Foster Care and Adoption in Fairfax County, check out these resources.


Foster Family News

Foster Family NewsOur monthly Foster Family Newsletter provides a window into the experiences of foster and adoptive parents, children in care, alumni of foster care, and the resource workers who support them. It also includes pertinent information on a variety of services and supports that are available for Fairfax County foster and adoptive families. Check out the latest newsletter.


For media inquiries, contact Department of Family Services' Public Information Officer Amy Carlini by email office phone 703-324-7758 or mobile phone 571-355-6672.

Back to top

Fairfax Virtual Assistant