Welcome to the 2026 June issue of Foster Family News, a monthly newsletter for current and potential Fairfax County foster parents. Our monthly newsletter shares resources, news, tips, events, and trainings relevant to foster and adoptive parents, children in care, and the resource workers who support them.
| Table of Contents |
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| Feature Articles |
| Events Central |
| Support Groups |
| FAQs, Story in Stats & Foster Care Facts |
| Trainings and Conferences |
Family Fun Day Brings Fairfax County Foster Parents Together
On May 9, Fairfax County foster parents gathered for a relaxing Family Fun Day at scenic Lake Accotink Park. The foster families and staff enjoyed time for lunch, lots of fun outdoor games, a presentation of the Fairfax County Foster Care Month proclamation, and making connections. Thanks to everyone who helped make it a special day. Check out the video or article.
Melanie Vracas and Adrienne Randall were named the 2026 Fairfax County Foster Parents of the Year for their exceptional compassion, dedication, and support for children and their relatives. Over the years, they’ve welcomed children of different ages and needs including middle school–aged sisters, a medically fragile infant, and older youth. Their story is a reminder that fostering isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present—for children, for their families, and for the moments that matter. Watch their video.
When a young girl entered foster care, her therapeutic foster family became one of the first pillars of stability in her young life. While her parents worked toward reunification, her aunt, grandmother, and other relatives stepped forward with open arms and steady hearts to support her journey through foster care. Read more.
This June, the American Bar Association is recognizing National Family Unification Month! It’s a time to celebrate the strength and resilience of families, communities, and advocates working to keep families together. The month is no longer just about reunification; it’s also about establishing and strengthening systems and practices to support families in their efforts to heal and stay together, as well as honoring the parents, mentors, relatives, and advocates who help preserve family unity.
Foster care placements can happen anytime, day or night, without much warning. Foster parents don’t have much time to gather the essential supplies a child will need. Help us with foster care packages to make a new child comfortable in their home. Learn more about the need or visit our online wish list to purchase items for delivery.
Jennifer Madison’s can-do attitude and dedication have earned her a lot of respect among staff in the Department of Family Services. Her willingness to go above and beyond helps ensure systems run smoothly so frontline foster care staff can focus on providing care and support to vulnerable children and families. This led to her selection as one of this year’s recipients of the prestigious Sharon Bulova Award for Exemplary Administrative Professionals. Learn more about this dynamic staff member and why she was nominated.
The 2026 NOVA Regional Fatherhood Workshop Series Returns
All Northern Virginia fathers, father figures, and those who work with fathers are invited to these virtual discussions about mental and physical health, parenting and relationship skills, and access to community resources. If you or your child live in Northern Virginia, you are welcome to join any sessions, Tuesday afternoons in June from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Learn more about this event and others this Fatherhood Month!
Monthly Foster Care Information Meeting
Tuesday, June 9
6:45-8:30 p.m.
Are you curious about becoming a foster parent? Are you or someone close to you ready for the next step to help children that need a temporary home? We need more foster parents, and information meetings are one of the ways we get to know prospective parents. Information meetings for prospective parents are by invitation only. To attend the meeting first complete a short interest form to help us get to know you better, and you will be contacted promptly by one of our specialists. The full annual meeting schedule and additional information are available online. Check it out and share it with others who might be interested.
The Department of Family Services supports families and county residents of all ages and stages of life – and that definitely includes foster parents and families! Like and Follow @FairfaxCountyFamilyServices for news, events, tips, stories, training opportunities and more.
A variety of organizations offer support to adoptive, foster, and kinship care families in our region. Register online for a preferred support group.
Various dates, 6:30-8 p.m. – Foster the Family Support Groups for foster, kinship, and adoptive moms throughout the region. Support group attendance may count towards training and recertification hours. Child care registration is limited. Learn more about changes to their services in the DC area. Maryland Support Groups.
Mondays, June 1, 15 & 29, 6:30-8 p.m. – Community Caring & Learning: A Support Group for Fairfax County Resource Parents. CCL Groups are a supportive community for foster, adoptive and kinship parents offering an environment of camaraderie, a space to discuss topics related to foster care and adoption as well as learn tips and skills from other resource parents. All sessions are facilitated by seasoned resource parents. Register for child care. In-service training hours will be provided.
Wednesday, June 4, 6:30-8 p.m. – Formed Families Forward In-Person Fairfax Kinship Support Group for caregivers to safely share their experiences, concerns, and frustrations with their peers. In partnership with Fairfax County Government.
Sunday, June 7, 7:30-9 p.m. – Formed Families Forward Virtual Peer Support Groups for foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
Wednesday, June 17, 7-8:30 p.m. – Formed Families Forward in-Person Peer Support Groups for foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
Thursday, June 18, 6:30-8 p.m. – Formed Families Forward Virtual Fairfax Kinship Support Group for caregivers to safely share their experiences, concerns, and frustrations with their peers. In partnership with Fairfax County Government.
Each newsletter will include this section to help answer questions, spotlight the people who support foster families, highlight the donors and sponsors who generously give to foster care programs and activities and friendly reminders for foster families to sign-up for trainings.
Can the youth in my home have a cell phone? If they already have a cell phone, what are the parameters around allowing them to use it? Who pays for the cell phone?
Answer: Cell phone privileges are dependent on the youth’s age and development. This is an arrangement that should be discussed and planned with the youth’s specialist and foster family. Every situation is different regarding who is responsible for payment. A birth parent, youth, foster family or the Department may pay for a cell phone. As with any youth, foster families should be engaged with the youth placed in their home, and get to know their friends and acquaintances, and monitor relationships.
Check out other frequently asked questions and answers from past issues.
For Youth in Fairfax County Foster Care or Fostering Futures
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