Department Resources

Related Resources

Adoption Awareness Month - Community Engagement Toolkit

Translate this page into a different language.

November is National Adoption Month, a time to recognize the urgent need and value of adoption in our community. Every child deserves a loving, stable, nurturing, permanent home.

The Department of Family Services’ Foster Care and Adoption Program provides foster homes for children in foster care and the necessary services to support their biological families. While reunification with their biological families is the primary goal for children in foster care, sometimes it’s not possible.

When a child cannot safely return home, we try to find relatives who are willing to care for the child and who meet the legal requirements to do so. If no relative can be found or if they are unable to care for the child, we seek a permanent home through adoption.

Help us raise awareness about the need for adoptive families, and join us in recognizing the profound impact adoptive parents make in shaping the lives of children in foster care.

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

In Facebook posts, please tag us @FairfaxCountyFamilyServices. This helps people to quickly and conveniently connect with us.

message clouds graphic

Talking Points

If you're using any of the talking points in Facebook posts, please tag us @FairfaxCountyFamilyServices. This helps people to quickly and conveniently connect with us.

November is Adoption Awareness Month, a month set aside to raise awareness about the urgent need for adoptive families for children and youth in foster care. Our theme this year, “Families, Handcrafted with Love,” recognizes the special way adoptive families are formed.

Across the nation more than 45,000 children are legally free for adoption and over 1,000 foster children in the commonwealth of Virginia are waiting for adoptive families. Learn more about the wonderful children awaiting adoption in our region.

Unfortunately, youth leaving foster care without a permanent connection face challenges with employment, education, and mental health, and they have an increased risk of homelessness and human trafficking.

Learn more about how to become a foster or adoptive parent and how the county supports adoptive families. Meet some of the children awaiting adoption in Fairfax.

During this month we also celebrate all the families who have opened their homes to children through adoption many of whom were relatives. Learn more about families formed through adoption.

Post to Facebook in easy steps.

In Facebook posts, please tag us @FairfaxCountyFamilyServices. This helps people to quickly and conveniently connect with us.

Follow these quick and easy steps to copy a message and post it along with the graphic.

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

Our theme for Adoption Awareness Month honors, “Families, Handcrafted with Love.” While reunification with their biological families is the primary goal for children in foster care, sometimes it’s not possible. Adoptive parents provide a loving, supportive home where children and youth can grow and flourish. Learn more about foster care and adoption and how to support foster families and children in care. https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA #NationalAdoptionMonth

Our theme for Adoption Awareness Month, “Families, Handcrafted with Love,” recognizes the special way adoptive families form together over time. When children in foster care are unable to return safely to their biological families, adoptive parents provide a permanent, loving place to call home. Learn more about foster care and adoption and how to support foster families and children in care. https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA #NationalAdoptionMonth

Connection and belonging are human needs. More than 1,000 children and youth in foster care in Virginia are awaiting adoption. Learn how you can become a foster or adoptive parent https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA or email BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov. #NationalAdoptionMonth

November is #NationalAdoptionMonth! Help us spread the word about the need for adoptive parents for children in foster care. https://bit.ly/37BZsuL

A growing portion of adoptive families are also kinship families, raising the children of relatives or close family friends. This promotes children’s sense of belonging through connection to cultural heritage, family and community. Learn more https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA #NationalAdoptionMonth

Thinking about becoming a foster parent? It’s better than you can imagine! Check out videos of Fairfax County foster and adoptive families sharing how the experience has shaped their lives for the better, and the positive impact they're making every day in children’s lives. https://bit.ly/DFS-CYF-FCA-YP. Learn more about Foster Care and Adoption https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA. #NationalAdoptionMonth

Fairfax County’s greatest need is for loving homes for children in sibling groups, those 9 years and older, and children with special needs. Youth are never too old to be adopted. Meet some of the wonderful children awaiting adoption https://bit.ly/3mkIZPD. Email BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov if you want to help. #NationalAdoptionMonth

Youth leaving foster care without a permanent connection face challenges with employment, education, and mental health, and they have an increased risk of homelessness and human trafficking. Learn how you can become a foster or adoptive parent and make a difference https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA or email BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov. #NationalAdoptionMonth

Every child in Fairfax County, regardless of physical, medical, or emotional challenges, age, race, or sexual orientation, needs love, support, security, and a permanent place to call home. Learn how you can become a foster or adoptive parent https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA or email BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov. #NationalAdoptionMonth

Check out statistics about foster care and adoption in Fairfax County: https://bit.ly/2SaFcuz or email BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov. #NationalAdoptionMonth

Post to social media with these easy steps.

Follow these quick and easy steps to copy a message and post it along with the graphic.

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

November is #NationalAdoptionMonth! Help us spread the word about the need for adoptive parents for children in foster care https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA or email BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Connection & belonging are human needs. More than 1,000 children & youth in Virginia are awaiting adoption. Learn how you can become a foster or adoptive parent https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA or email BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov. #NationalAdoptionMonth

Many adoptive families are also kinship families, raising the children of relatives or close family friends. This promotes a child’s sense of belonging and connection to cultural heritage, family & community. https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA #NationalAdoptionMonth

Check out Fairfax County foster and adoptive families sharing how their lives have been shaped for the better and the positive impact they see in children’s lives. https://bit.ly/DFS-CYF-FCA-YP #NationalAdoptionMonth

Youth are never too old to be adopted. Fairfax County's biggest need is loving homes for sibling groups, kids 9+ years old, and kids with special needs. Meet the children awaiting adoption https://bit.ly/DFS-CYF-FCA-CAA. #NationalAdoptionMonth

Every child, regardless of physical, medical, or emotional challenges, age, race, or sexual orientation, needs love, support, security and a permanent place to call home. Learn more https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA or email BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov. #NationalAdoptionMonth

Youth leaving foster care without a permanent connection face challenges with employment, education, and mental health, as well as have an increased risk of homelessness and human trafficking. Learn how to help: https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA #NationalAdoptionMonth

Check out these statistics about foster care and adoption in Fairfax County https://bit.ly/2SaFcuz or email BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov. #NationalAdoptionMonth

Post to social media with these easy steps.

Follow these quick and easy steps to copy a message and post it along with the graphic.

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

El lema de este año para el Mes Nacional de la Adopción rinde homenaje a las “Familias, creadas con cuidado y amor”. Aunque el objetivo principal para los niños en cuidado de acogida es que puedan reunirse con sus familias biológicas, a veces esto no es posible. Las familias adoptivas ofrecen un hogar amoroso y solidario donde los niños y los jóvenes pueden crecer y desarrollarse plenamente. Obtenga más información sobre el cuidado de acogida y la adopción y cómo apoyar a las familias de acogida y a los niños bajo su cuidado. https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA-ES #NationalAdoptionMonth

El lema de este Mes Nacional de la Adopción, “Familias, creadas con cuidado y amor”, reconoce la forma especial en que las familias adoptivas se forman y se fortalecen con el tiempo. Cuando los niños en hogares de acogida no pueden regresar de forma segura con sus familias biológicas, los padres adoptivos ofrecen un lugar permanente y lleno de amor que los niños pueden llamar hogar. Obtenga más información sobre el cuidado de acogida y la adopción y cómo apoyar a las familias de acogida y a los niños bajo su cuidado. https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA-ES #NationalAdoptionMonth

Los sentimientos de conexión y pertenencia son necesidades humanas. Más de 1,000 niños y jóvenes que están en cuidado de acogida en el estado de Virginia esperan ser adoptados. Descubra cómo puede convertirse en un padre o madre de acogida o adoptivo/a en https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA-ES o envíe un correo electrónico a BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov. #NationalAdoptionMonth #MesNacionalDeLaAdopción

¡Noviembre es el #MesNacionalDeLaAdopción! Ayúdenos a correr la voz sobre la necesidad que existe de que haya padres adoptivos para los niños en cuidado de acogida https://bit.ly/37BZsuL #MesNacionalDeLaAdopción

Cada vez son más las familias adoptivas que también tienen vínculos de parentesco con los niños adoptivos, es decir familias que crían a los hijos de familiares o amigos cercanos. Esto fortalece el sentido de pertenencia de los niños a través de la conexión con la cultura, la familia y la comunidad. Más información https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA-ES #NationalAdoptionMonth #MesNacionalDeLaAdopción

¿Está pensando en convertirse en padre o madre de acogida? ¡Es mejor de lo que se imagina! Vea los videos de familias adoptivas y de acogida del condado de Fairfax que comparten cómo esta experiencia ha mejorado sus vidas y el impacto positivo que tienen cada día en la vida de los niños. https://bit.ly/DFS-CYF-FCA-YP Obtenga más información sobre cuidado de acogida y adopción en https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA-ES. #NationalAdoptionMonth #MesNacionalDeLaAdopción

La mayor necesidad del condado de Fairfax es encontrar hogares llenos de amor para grupos de hermanos, niños mayores de 9 años y niños con necesidades especiales. Los jóvenes nunca son demasiado mayores para ser adoptados. Conozca a algunos de los maravillosos niños y jóvenes que esperan ser adoptados en https://bit.ly/3mkIZPD. Envíe un correo electrónico a BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov si desea ayudar. #NationalAdoptionMonth #MesNacionalDeLaAdopción

Los jóvenes que abandonan el cuidado de acogida sin un vínculo permanente se enfrentan a desafíos con el empleo, la educación y la salud mental, y tienen un mayor riesgo de quedarse sin hogar y de ser víctimas de la trata de personas. Descubra cómo puede convertirse en padre o madre de acogida o adoptivo/a y hacer la diferencia en la vida de un/a joven. Visite https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA-ES o envíe un correo electrónico a BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov. #NationalAdoptionMonth

Todos los niños del condado de Fairfax, independientemente de sus desafíos físicos, médicos o emocionales, su edad, raza u orientación sexual, necesitan amor, apoyo, seguridad y un lugar permanente al que puedan llamar hogar. Descubra cómo puede convertirse en un padre o madre de acogida o adoptivo/a en https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA-ES o envíe un correo electrónico a BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov. #NationalAdoptionMonth

Consulte las estadísticas sobre el cuidado de acogida y la adopción en el condado de Fairfax: https://bit.ly/2SaFcuz o envíe un correo electrónico a BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov. #NationalAdoptionMonth #MesNacionalDeLaAdopción

El Programa de Acogimiento Familiar y Adopción del Departamento de Servicios para la Familia ofrece hogares de acogida a los niños que lo necesitan y los servicios necesarios para apoyar a sus familias biológicas. Cuando un niño no puede volver a casa de forma segura, intentamos encontrar parientes que estén dispuestos a cuidar al niño y que cumplan con los requisitos legales para hacerlo. Si no se puede encontrar a ningún familiar o este no puede cuidar al niño, buscamos un hogar permanente mediante la adopción. Obtenga más información sobre cómo puede ayudar a crear estabilidad y seguridad para los niños en cuidado de acogida en https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA-ES o envíe un correo electrónico a BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov. #NationalAdoptionMonth #MesNacionalDeLaAdopción

Post to social media with these easy steps.

Follow these quick and easy steps to copy a message and post it along with the graphic.

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

이번 입양 인식의 달은 “사랑으로 빚어지는 가족”이라는 주제로 진행됩니다. 위탁 보호를 받는 아동은 친부모와 다시 함께 생활하는 것을 우선 목표로 하지만, 때로는 이것이 불가능한 경우도 있습니다. 이때 입양 부모는 아이들이 사랑과 지지를 받으며 건강하게 성장할 수 있는 가정을 제공합니다. 위탁 보호와 입양에 대해 알아보고, 위탁 부모와 위탁 보호를 받는 아동을 돕는 방법도 확인해 보세요: https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA
#전국입양인식의달 #NationalAdoptionMonth

이번 입양 인식의 달 주제인 “사랑으로 빚어지는 가족”은 입양을 통해 가족이 되어 가는 특별한 과정을 조명합니다. 위탁 보호를 받는 아동이 친부모에게 안전하게 돌아갈 수 없는 경우, 입양 부모는 아이가 사랑받으며 평생 함께할 수 있는 따뜻한 보금자리를 제공합니다. 위탁 보호와 입양에 대해 알아보고, 위탁 부모와 위탁 보호를 받는 아동을 돕는 방법도 확인해 보세요: https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA
#전국입양인식의달 #NationalAdoptionMonth

다른 사람과 유대감을 나누고 소속감을 느끼는 것은 인간의 기본적인 욕구입니다. 버지니아주에서는 위탁 보호를 받는 1,000명 이상의 아동과 청소년이 입양을 기다리고 있습니다. 위탁 부모나 입양 부모가 되는 방법을 알아보세요: https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA
이메일: BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov.
#전국입양인식의달 #NationalAdoptionMonth

11월은 #전국입양인식의달 입니다! 위탁 보호를 받는 아이들에게 입양 부모가 필요하다는 사실을 널리 알려 주세요: https://bit.ly/37BZsuL

입양 가정 중에는 친척이나 가족과 가까운 친구의 자녀를 양육하는 가정도 점점 늘고 있습니다. 이러한 가정은 아이들이 자신의 문화적 뿌리와 가족, 지역사회와의 유대감을 이어 가며 소속감을 느끼도록 돕습니다.
더 자세한 정보: https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA
#전국입양인식의달 #NationalAdoptionMonth

위탁 부모가 되는 것을 생각해 보신 적이 있나요? 상상하시는 것보다 훨씬 더 보람찬 일입니다! 페어팩스 카운티의 위탁 부모와 입양 부모들이 이 경험을 통해 자신의 삶이 어떻게 더 나아졌는지, 그리고 매일 아이들의 삶에 어떤 긍정적인 영향을 주고 있는지 들려주는 영상을 확인해 보세요: https://bit.ly/DFS-CYF-FCA-YP.
위탁 보호 및 입양에 대한 더 자세한 정보도 확인해 보세요: https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA.
#전국입양인식의달 #NationalAdoptionMonth

페어팩스 카운티에서 가장 필요한 것은 형제자매가 함께 지낼 수 있도록 해 줄 가정과 9세 이상 아동 및 특별한 도움이 필요한 아동을 사랑으로 보살펴 줄 가정입니다. 청소년도 입양을 통해 새로운 가족을 만날 수 있습니다. 입양을 기다리는 아이들을 만나 보세요: https://bit.ly/3mkIZPD.
도움을 주고 싶으시다면 이메일로 문의해 주세요: BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov
#전국입양인식의달 #NationalAdoptionMonth

위탁 보호를 마친 뒤에도 지속적으로 의지할 가족이나 가까운 사람이 없는 청소년은 취업, 교육, 정신 건강 등 여러 면에서 어려움을 겪을 수 있습니다. 또한 주거지를 잃거나 인신매매 피해를 당할 위험도 더 높습니다. 위탁 부모나 입양 부모가 되어 청소년들의 삶에 긍정적인 변화를 만들어 보세요: https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA
이메일 문의: BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov.
#전국입양인식의달 #NationalAdoptionMonth

페어팩스 카운티의 모든 아동은 신체적 어려움, 건강상의 문제, 정서적 어려움, 나이, 인종, 성적 지향에 관계없이 사랑과 지원, 안전 그리고 ‘내 집’이라 부를 수 있는 영구적인 보금자리가 필요합니다. 위탁 부모나 입양 부모가 되는 방법을 알아보세요: https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA
이메일 문의: BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov.
#전국입양인식의달 #NationalAdoptionMonth

페어팩스 카운티의 위탁 보호 및 입양 관련 통계를 확인해 보세요: https://bit.ly/2SaFcuz
이메일: BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov.
#전국입양인식의달 #NationalAdoptionMonth

가족 서비스부의 위탁 보호 및 입양 프로그램은 위탁 보호가 필요한 아동에게 위탁 가정을 제공하고, 친부모를 지원하는 데 필요한 서비스를 제공합니다. 아동이 안전하게 친부모의 가정으로 돌아갈 수 없는 경우에는 먼저 아동을 돌볼 의사가 있고 법적 요건을 충족하는 친척이 있는지 알아봅니다. 돌볼 수 있는 친척을 찾지 못하거나 친척이 아동을 양육할 수 없는 경우에는 입양을 통해 아동이 안정적으로 생활할 수 있는 영구적인 가정을 찾습니다. 위탁 보호를 받는 아동이 안정적이고 안전한 환경에서 성장할 수 있도록 돕는 방법을 알아보세요: https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA
이메일 문의: BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov.
#전국입양인식의달 #NationalAdoptionMonth

Post to Newsletters in a few easy steps.

Follow these quick and easy steps to copy a message and post it along with a graphic.

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

November is Adoption Awareness Month, a time to celebrate adoptive parents for taking an extraordinary step in opening their hearts and homes to children in need of a safe place to call home! Did you know that there are children in foster care waiting for adoptive homes? So many of these children have special needs, are over the age of 9, or are part of sibling groups that would like to find a permanent home together. Adoptive parents support children as they recover from past traumatic experiences so that they can thrive. Explore the path to becoming a foster or adoptive parent at https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA or email BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov.

November is Adoption Awareness Month. Have you considered becoming a foster/adoptive parent? Would you like to learn more about the children and teens in our county who are waiting for homes? Approximately 250 children in Fairfax County are in foster care, and we have a pressing need for more foster parents for children ages 11-17, children with special needs, and sibling groups of three or more. Families (single or multigenerational) that are willing to be flexible, have fun, maintain structure and consistency are welcome to inquire about becoming foster parents and growing their families. “There are no unwanted children, just unfound families.” Learn more about becoming a foster parent in Fairfax at https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA or contact BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov.