Department of Family Services – Children, Youth and Families

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

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May is Foster Care Month - Community Engagement Toolkit

May is Foster Care Month

During National Foster Care Month each May, Fairfax County takes the opportunity to raise awareness of issues related to foster care and acknowledge all the professionals, foster parents, volunteers, and community partners who help children and youth in foster care find permanent homes and connections. We could not do this work without you! 

We highlight the critical need for more foster families and recognize the invaluable contributions of those who are already providing care. This month serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility we share to support and uplift the most vulnerable members of our community. 

By moving from Awareness to Action, Supporting Foster Care Changes Lives! Please spread the word about Foster Care Month with our community engagement toolkit. 

Learn about the Department of Family Services' Foster Care & Adoption Program.


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May is National Foster Care Month. The federal Children's Bureau reports that in September 2022, a total of 368,530 children and youth were in foster care across the country. The Virginia Department of Social Services reports that in February 2025, there were 5,482 children in foster care in the Commonwealth of Virginia, 247 of whom were in Fairfax County.

When a child’s home environment is unsafe due to abuse, neglect, or other circumstances, foster care provides a temporary home for the child with foster parents, relatives, or in some cases, therapeutic residential care.

In Fairfax County, approximately 100 families are certified by the Department of Family Services and provide caring, safe, and nurturing homes for youth in foster care.

Foster parents play an important role in supporting biological parents and helping them enhance their relationship with their children to achieve family stability and maintain family connections in support of the primary goal of family reunification or permanent placement with relatives.

The transition to adulthood is a time of great potential for all young people, but youth who exit foster care without permanence face increased barriers to a successful transition. It’s important to encourage youth to build supportive, caring relationships with family and community members that nurture their development, well-being, and future goals.

We recognize foster parents for their dedication to supporting and contributing to each child’s positive sense of self, and helping youth heal from trauma and transition to permanent homes. Learn more about how to become a foster parent or support them.

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May is Foster Care Month

May is Foster Care Month Supporting Foster Care Changes Lives! May is Foster Care Month

 Foster Care Month Community Special Event Lorton Library April 29 Foster Care Month Community Special Event Burke Centre Library May 20

 

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Nurturing and stable foster homes are an essential component in providing trauma-informed care for the mental wellbeing of children in foster care. Learn more about becoming a foster parent at https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA, fill out an interest form at https://forms.office.com/g/WcA0NVydQK, or email BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Did you know that no matter your marital status, you can be a foster parent to a child in need? Single, divorced and married (including LGBTQ couples) folks are all welcome! Learn more https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA, fill out an interest form at https://forms.office.com/g/WcA0NVydQK, or email BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov.

During Foster Care Month, we recognize the role of foster care in providing children with safe, caring families. Help provide short-term respite care so foster parents can take a break https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA , fill out an interest form at https://forms.office.com/g/WcA0NVydQK, or email BeAFosterparent@fairfaxcounty.gov.

During Foster Care Month, we thank foster parents for helping kids be kids and have the normal experiences that children need as they grow up. Meet some families firsthand who are committed to helping https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA. 

As a community, we each can play a part in enhancing the lives of children and youth in foster care. During Foster Care Month, find resources https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA & opportunities to help https://bit.ly/2WuCYo6.

During Foster Care Month, if you are considering becoming a foster parent, check out the monthly Foster Family Newsletter to learn about foster care stories and ways to support foster parents and youth. https://bit.ly/3b92Xag.

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May is Foster Care Month and Mental Health Awareness Month. Nurturing and stable foster homes are an essential component in providing trauma-informed care for the mental wellbeing of children in foster care. Learn more https://bit.ly/DFS-CYF-FCA-AS, fill out an interest form at https://forms.office.com/g/WcA0NVydQK, or email BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov

May is Foster Care Month. Did you know that no matter your marital status, you can be a foster parent to a child in need? Single, divorced and married (including LGBTQ couples) folks are all welcome, as long as you are at least 18 years old. Fairfax County’s greatest need is for loving homes for children in sibling groups of 3 or more, children with special needs, and children ages 11-17. Learn more https://bit.ly/DFS-CYF-FCA-AS, fill out an interest form at https://forms.office.com/g/WcA0NVydQK, or email BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov

We can all agree that every child should live in a loving, stable and nurturing home. Foster Care Month is a special time to thank foster parents for taking the extraordinary step to open their hearts and homes to children in need of a safe place to call home. Learn how you can provide short-term respite care so foster parents can take a break for a day, a weekend, or a week at https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA, fill out an interest form at https://forms.office.com/g/WcA0NVydQK, or email BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov.

May is Foster Care Month when we recognize foster parents for helping to make sure that kids can be kids. They nurture children who have experienced abuse and neglect, and help children overcome past traumatic experiences so that they can reach their full potential. Meet some families firsthand who are committed to helping https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA.

May is Foster Care Month. As a community, we each can play a part in enhancing the lives of children and youth in foster care. Find resources and information https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA and volunteer and sponsorship opportunities to help ensure that their future is bright http://bit.ly/DFS-VPS.

During Foster Care Month, if you are considering becoming a foster parent, check out the monthly Foster Family Newsletter to learn about training opportunities, foster care stories, and ways to support foster children and parents. https://bit.ly/3b92Xag

During Foster Care Month and throughout the year, we are grateful to foster parents as they play a vital role in supporting biological parents and helping them enhance their relationship with their children to achieve family stability and maintain family connections in support of the goal of family reunification or permanent placement with relatives. Learn more https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA, fill out an interest form at https://forms.office.com/g/WcA0NVydQK, or email BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov.

According to VDSS Foster Care (FC) Related Reports, in Virginia as of February 2025 there were more than 5,000 children and youth in foster care, and more than 700 youth in congregate care such as group homes and residential treatment facilities who need a foster home. In Fairfax County, out of approximately 247 children in foster care, 31 were in congregate care. Check out more state and local foster care data  https://bit.ly/4dbMAuD or learn about Fairfax Foster Care at https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA, fill out an interest form at https://forms.office.com/g/WcA0NVydQK, or email BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov.

In Fairfax County, nearly 250 children are in foster care. Check out our annual statistics to help you learn more about the local scope of foster care. Considering becoming a foster parent? Learn more https://bit.ly/DFS-CYF-FCA-AS, fill out an interest form at https://forms.office.com/g/WcA0NVydQK, or email BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov.

During National Foster Care Month, we highlight the critical need for more foster families and recognize the invaluable contributions of those who are already providing care. This month serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility we share to support and uplift the most vulnerable members of our community. Learn more https://bit.ly/DFS-CYF-FCA-AS, fill out an interest form at https://forms.office.com/g/WcA0NVydQK, or email BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov

Resources

Video

Thinking about becoming a foster parent? It’s better than you can imagine! Meet some Fairfax County foster parents and learn how foster parenting has shaped their lives for the better, and the positive impact they are making every day in children’s lives. Learn more about Foster Care and Adoption: https://bit.ly/DFS-FCA.

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2024 Fairfax County Foster Parent of the Year

2023 Fairfax County Foster Parents of the Year

Annual Statistics

In Fairfax County, nearly 250 children are in foster care. Check out our annual statistics to help you learn more about the local scope of foster care. https://bit.ly/DFS-CYF-FCA-AS

Show your support for Foster Care Month. Download the design and use it as a background in your virtual meetings. 

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

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Supporting Foster Care Changes Lives! May is Foster Care Month (Zoom Background)  

Fairfax Virtual Assistant